GLADYS AYLWARD

An Ordinary Girl with an Extraordinary Calling

The eagle that soars in the upper air does not worry itself how it is to cross rivers

Gladys Aylward was born on February 24, 1902, in Edmonton, North London, to a working-class family. From an early age, she possessed a deep love for God and a growing desire to serve Him in some significant way. Yet there was little in her circumstances that suggested she would one day become one of the most inspiring missionaries of the twentieth century.

She received only a modest education and left school while still young to work as a domestic servant. Unlike many missionaries of her era, she had no university degree, no formal theological training, and no influential connections. In fact, when she applied to a missionary organization, she was rejected because the board believed she lacked the academic ability required to learn Chinese and carry out missionary work effectively.

For many people, such a rejection would have marked the end of the dream. For Gladys, it became only the beginning.

She was convinced that God had called her to China, and she believed that no human decision could overturn what God had placed in her heart. Instead of giving up, she began saving every spare penny from her wages, trusting that somehow God would make a way.

In 1930, at the age of twenty-eight, Gladys set out alone for China. She could not afford passage by ship, so she purchased a ticket on the Trans-Siberian Railway and began an arduous journey across Europe and Asia.

The trip itself became a test of faith. Political tensions between China and the Soviet Union had created dangerous conditions along parts of the route. At one point Gladys became stranded in Russia and found herself caught in an increasingly uncertain situation. She faced language barriers, fear, loneliness, and the possibility of being unable to continue.

Yet God repeatedly opened doors. Through a series of remarkable circumstances and the assistance of strangers, she eventually arrived safely in Yangcheng, a remote town in Shanxi Province, China.

There she joined an elderly missionary, Jeannie Lawson, who had been praying for someone to help her. Their partnership would become the foundation of a ministry that touched countless lives.

A Journey of Faith

The Inn of the Eight Happinesses

Together, Gladys and Jeannie established an inn called "The Inn of the Eight Happinesses." The name was inspired by the Beatitudes found in the Sermon on the Mount.

The inn stood along a busy mule caravan route used by traders traveling through the mountains. Each evening weary travelers would stop to eat and rest before continuing their journeys.

This provided a unique opportunity. As guests gathered around the fire, Gladys and Jeannie shared stories from the Bible. Many of the travelers had never heard the message of Christianity before. The inn became far more than a place of lodging—it became a place where people encountered the gospel.

After Jeannie Lawson's death, Gladys continued the work alone. Though still learning the language and culture, she steadily gained the trust and affection of the local people.

Unlike some foreigners who remained distant from those they served, Gladys immersed herself in Chinese life. She adopted Chinese clothing, learned local customs, and devoted herself to understanding the people around her.

Her genuine love broke down barriers. Rather than seeing herself as an outsider bringing help to others, she lived among the people as a friend and servant.

The local community eventually gave her a Chinese name, and many came to regard her as one of their own. Her willingness to embrace the culture opened doors that might otherwise have remained closed.

This principle became one of the hallmarks of her ministry: people were often moved by her love long before they were persuaded by her words.

Becoming One of the People

The Foot Inspector

One of the most unusual chapters of Gladys's life began when a local Mandarin appointed her as an official "foot inspector."

For centuries, many Chinese girls had endured the painful practice of foot-binding. Young girls' feet were tightly wrapped to prevent normal growth, creating lifelong deformities and suffering. The Chinese government had begun efforts to abolish the practice, but enforcement in remote areas remained difficult.

Because Gladys was trusted and respected, local authorities asked her to travel throughout the region to encourage compliance with the new laws.

She visited villages, spoke with families, and advocated for the freedom and dignity of young girls. This role gave her access to communities that many missionaries could never have reached. Everywhere she traveled, she combined practical service with the message of God's love.

As her ministry expanded, Gladys became increasingly involved in caring for vulnerable children. Many had lost parents through poverty, disease, or conflict.

Unable to turn them away, she welcomed them into her home. What began with a few children gradually grew into a large family of orphans who depended upon her for food, shelter, education, and love.

Life was often difficult. Resources were scarce, and Gladys frequently wondered how she would provide for everyone under her care. Yet time after time, God supplied what was needed through unexpected gifts, generous supporters, and remarkable providences.

The children became central to her life and ministry. She was not merely a caretaker; she became a mother figure whose love reflected the compassion of Christ.

A Mother to Orphans

War Comes to China

In 1937, Japan launched a large-scale invasion of China. The conflict brought devastation to towns and villages throughout the country.

Many foreigners fled to safer regions, but Gladys chose to remain among the people she loved. She nursed the wounded, comforted the grieving, and continued caring for the growing number of orphaned children.

As fighting intensified, the danger became impossible to ignore. Bombings, violence, and displacement threatened everyone in the region. Eventually, Gladys realized that she needed to move the children to safety.

What followed became the most famous episode of her life.

With Japanese forces advancing, Gladys undertook an almost unimaginable task. She led more than one hundred orphaned children on a dangerous journey through the mountains toward safety.

The trek covered difficult terrain under harsh conditions. Food was limited, exhaustion was constant, and the threat of enemy forces remained ever present.

Gladys herself was physically weakened and suffering from illness. Yet she refused to abandon the children.

Day after day she encouraged them to keep moving. She organized them, cared for them, and trusted God to provide strength for each new challenge.

Against overwhelming odds, the group eventually reached safety.

The story spread throughout the world and became a powerful testimony to the courage that can emerge from simple faith and selfless love.

Leading One Hundred Children to Safety

Returning to Ministry

The years of war took a severe toll on Gladys's health. Eventually she left mainland China, but her missionary work did not end.

After recovering, she continued serving among Chinese communities, particularly in Taiwan. There she worked with children, taught the Scriptures, and encouraged believers for many years.

Though she became internationally known, she never viewed herself as a hero. She remained humble, often emphasizing that God specializes in using ordinary people who are willing to trust Him.

Even when others celebrated her accomplishments, Gladys consistently directed attention back to God's faithfulness.

Humanly speaking, Gladys Aylward should never have become a missionary.

She lacked formal qualifications. She was rejected by those who evaluated her potential. She had limited resources and faced obstacles that would have discouraged many stronger and more capable individuals.

Yet God saw something others overlooked.

Her life demonstrates that God's calling is not determined by educational achievements, social status, natural ability, or personal confidence. More often, God works through those who are simply willing to obey Him one step at a time.

The world remembers Gladys not because she possessed extraordinary gifts, but because she possessed extraordinary faith.

A Life That Defied Expectations

What We Can Learn

Gladys Aylward's story challenges many modern assumptions about success and effectiveness.

She reminds us that:

God's plans are often greater than our limitations.
Rejection does not necessarily mean God has closed a door.
Love and service can open hearts more effectively than arguments.
Courage is choosing obedience even when fear is present.
Faithfulness in ordinary responsibilities prepares us for extraordinary opportunities.

Her life encourages believers to trust God's calling even when the path ahead seems uncertain. God is not looking first for ability, influence, or impressive credentials.

He is looking for willing hearts.

Gladys Aylward's life is a reminder that when God calls a person, He is able to provide everything necessary to accomplish His purposes. What matters most is not our strength but our willingness to follow Him wherever He leads.

"The true measure of faith is not how much we can see ahead, but whether we are willing to take the next step when God asks us to move."

Gladys Aylward died on January 3, 1970, in Taiwan, after decades of faithful service.

Today her story continues to inspire Christians around the world. Books, biographies, and films have introduced new generations to the remarkable journey of a housemaid from London who trusted God enough to cross continents, care for the forgotten, and rescue children in the midst of war.

Her life stands as a testimony that God delights in using ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things.

Legacy

References & Recommended Resources

Primary Biographies

The Small Woman
The classic biography of Gladys Aylward, first published in 1957. Written with Gladys's cooperation and based on extensive interviews, this remains one of the most widely read accounts of her life and ministry.

Gladys Aylward: The Adventure of a Lifetime
Part of the Christian Heroes: Then & Now series. An engaging and accessible biography that introduces readers of all ages to Gladys's remarkable story.

Gladys Aylward
A concise biography that provides a balanced overview of her life, missionary service, and legacy.

Autobiographical Works

Gladys Aylward: The Little Woman
Gladys's own account of her experiences in China, offering personal reflections on her calling, challenges, and faith journey.

A London Sparrow
One of Gladys's best-known autobiographical works, describing how God used an ordinary woman from London to serve in China.

Historical & Missionary Studies

Mountain Rain
While not about Gladys directly, this classic missionary biography provides valuable context for Christian mission work in China during a similar period.

Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret
An influential work describing the life and ministry of Hudson Taylor, whose example inspired generations of missionaries serving in China.

The Cross and the Switchblade
Another inspiring account of faith and obedience, often appreciated by readers who are encouraged by stories like Gladys Aylward's.

Film Adaptation

The Inn of the Sixth Happiness
A feature film loosely based on Gladys Aylward's life, starring Ingrid Bergman. While the film captures the broad outline of her story, it contains several historical inaccuracies and should be viewed as a dramatization rather than a strictly factual account.