Climbing: Rosalind Goforth

This book has become one of my favorite missionary biographies.

Each page is filled with honest, genuine, human trials and temptations, how Rosalind Goforth succeeded and failed, and how God brought about His glory through it. She is most definitely one of my heros of the Faith because she knows her faults/weaknesses and is not afraid to discuss them- showing how God used them to manifest and magnify His strength.

Indeed, there are so many parts of this book that I would love to highlight for you, and it is almost impossible to choose one section, yet I think this story that Rosalind shares shows her heart for people and for the work of the Gospel.

May we all desire this heart.

My husband and I were on our way to a certain large center- and important outstation. It was Saturday, and we were due to begin a series of meetings the following day. When about half way, we had to stop at a village to water the animals. We women- myself and the Bible women- were perched on a larger farm cart loaded high with baggage. Dr. Goforth walked with the evanelists, taking his turn with them in an occasional lift by the cart.

Just as we stopped, a woman came running up to the side of the cart. Taking hold of my hand, and peering closely into my face, she cried: "Is it Miss Pyke? No, oh no it is not! I was in the hospital at Changte for several months and Miss Pyke taught me how to pray. I've tried to tell my neighbors (by this time quite a crowd had gathered about us) but I don't know how. All I can do is put my hands together and say 'Jesus, Savior, forgive my sins; pity me; cleanse my heart and save me!' Oh, do tell my neighbors quickly!"

I tried to tell, but my voice broke so I had to sign to Mrs. Wang, my Bible woman, to speak. I had recovered just enough to say only a few words when the call came for us to go on. The poor woman tried, almost frantically, to persuade out men to stop 'just one night'. The villagers joined in pleading, 'We want to hear!'

But we had to go on... we never saw those dear people again, for we left the Changte field soon after.

Truly, a moving story. Rosalind talks about the 'what if' question haunting her for the rest of her life. 'What if' they did stop? 'What if' they were the only Christians those people would ever meet?... 'What if'? I believe those people came to know the Lord- through Rosalind or someone else- but it does leave me to wonder... 'What if' I were in the position- what would I do?

Or more like 'When I'm in that position- what do I do?'