Stay or Go?

By Mary Vee

Gathered Thoughts of Many Friends

photo courtesy of visualbiblealive.com

During the dark days of what I am about to tell you, I could not speak. I had to write this long after it happened, my words are based on what others told me. I had heard God works in moments like these. Let me tell you how He did for me.

After a month of walking, I had delivered the children to their new home in Fu-Feng. I made sure each child receive a place to sleep, food, caring adults helping them, new clothes and enrollment in the school. If any child still had a need, I would have stayed and helped. But, I felt confident the mission would take good care of them.

The wonderful people in charge of the orphanage said to me, "Please stay. You're weary and ill. You could rest then help take care of the children when you're better."

But I couldn't stay.

I loved the children and would have enjoyed the opportunity to rest and help care for them, but the good Lord did not call me to China to lay in a bed or care for children who had a good home. I needed to preach the Gospel to every village possible.

I called the children together the morning after we arrived and told them I would leave that day to go tell others about Jesus. "You must be strong. Love the Lord with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. Don't let anyone cause you to walk away from Jesus."

They pouted and said, "We will, Ai-weh-deh."
"Now, children, sing a song with me before I go." We sang one of their favorite Bible songs, then I prayed. "Lord, God Almighty. Bless these children with your love. Cause them to remember you all their days and serve you with their whole hearts. Help them remember the Bible stories and songs in time of need. Fill their stomachs, hearts, and soul each day."

Two Chinese women from the orphanage said they'd planned to go to a nearby village in afternoon. "Ai-weh-deh, would you come with us? Maybe you could tell the people about Jesus."

WoW! Have you ever had a time when, despite how sick you felt, something made you want to bounce and smile? That's exactly how I felt! "Sure, I'd love to come."


On the way, I couldn't make my feet walk right. I stumbled over nothing and had to work hard to keep my balance. I knew something wasn't right. Maybe I needed sleep. I smiled at the others and kept walking the best I could.

When we reached the house where the villagers planned to gather, a lady handed me a bowl of food and chopsticks. I tried to bring the food to my mouth, but my hands wouldn't work right. 

The women stared at me like I had a strange disease. "Do you have a headache?"

 "Yes," I answered.

"Do you want to rest before the meeting?"

"Yes, please. I'm sorry, I don't understand what's wrong with me. Maybe a nap will help."

But the nap didn't.

God knew I was sick. To keep me safe He didn't let me travel alone that day. He knew I would go to a village even though and would need help. Come back next week to read how God continued to care for me.

Gladys Aylward 
photo courtesy of Biblevisualimages.com