![]() ![]() In 1940, the war had escalated and she was forced to leave Northern China and head south to Sian through the thickening battle, over mountains and across the Yellow River. She was so effective that the Japanese even put a price on her head.ĭuring this time Gladys also adopted war orphans and eventually had over 100 children in her care. She even became a spy for the Chinese army using her foreign appearance to travel across battle lines and also bring food to trapped villagers. By 1937, when the Japanese begin bombing nearby mountain villages, Gladys had so identified herself with the Chinese people that she refused to leave even as artillery shells begin to fall. What was even more remarkable was the ability she had to take on Chinese culture and language. The people’s esteem and respect for Gladys also continued to grow throughout the region. ![]() As she traveled she would tell stories from the Bible and many looked forward to the days they could hear these strange new stories. Gladys began traveling around inspecting the bones in women’s feet. The local officials approached her and asked if she would be willing to be a “foot inspector.” The tradition of binding Chinese women’s feet had recently been outlawed, but due to cultural perceptions of beauty it was still being practiced in many places. After Jeannie’s death, Gladys was unable to financially sustain the Inn. She helped operate an inn for mule drivers where she learned Chinese from daily interaction with these travelers. Gladys begin her missionary career in Yangcheng working with veteran missionary Jeannie Lawson. After a brief journey to Japan to confirm with the British counsel, Gladys finally set foot in her beloved China. She insisted on staying and was dropped off later in the middle of nowhere to eventually retrace her steps on foot and take another train through Siberia. ![]() At one point on her journey she was asked to get off the train as it was being used to carry only Russian soldiers. She carried two suitcases, a bedroll and wore a bright orange jacket. 15, 1932, Gladys left Liverpool Street Station by train to travel across Russia and eventually into Northern China. Every month, Gladys would save all the money she could from the small paycheck she received to buy a one-way train ticket to China. At the age of 28, Gladys dreams were momentarily crushed she decided if she couldn’t go with CIM she would go on her own. After reviewing her advanced age and test results it was determined that she was too old and unfit to learn the difficult Chinese language. Gladys applied with CIM as a candidate for China. This birthed an unstoppable desire to go to China herself. Gladys, newly reconciled with God, began attending Young Life services and reading about the far-away land of China from books in the vast library of her employer. She trudged through this life of routine until one day after attending a church service a stranger confronted her with the message of salvation. Born in London, in 1902, to a working-class family Gladys became a wealthy family’s parlor maid at the age of 14. ![]() Gladys Aylward was born short in size and short in worldly status but what was lacking in height and social standing she made up for in determination and spirit. ![]()
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