Jonathan Goforth-The Manchurian Harsh Plague

By Mary Vee
Year: summer 1929

Jonathan Goforth 70 years old

Jonathan Goforth's Journal

My name is Jonathan Goforth. My wife, Rosalind, and I are missionaries in China. In all the years I have been here, I have never wanted to do anything else with my life than to tell the people in China about the living God who loves them. 

We live in Manchuria at this time. A place where many Chinese have fled, hoping for a peaceful life. So many people longed to hear about the living God who loves them. The need is very great for workers and we couldn't be any happier about a Bible college in northern China who sent sixty graduates.

We didn't have the space or funds to care for their needs, but we knew God would provide. Somehow.

Days later we received a lot of mail. Many had checks inside from people we'd never told about the sixty missionaries. The money was enough to take care of all the new Chinese missionaries coming to help us. 

A month later the sixty arrived. We put them to work right away. There was so much to do, and they lightened the load. 

More people came to hear about the God who loved them. We needed even more workers. So we prayed. 

More workers helped more people to hear who tell others so that more workers were needed. How could anything be better?

Well, as we know things happen in life. The harsh winter brought a plague. People ran out of fuel to warm themselves. I told all of our workers that we must keep a fire roaring in the big hall where we hold services at all times. We invited people in who were freezing in the streets. They came and sat, warming themselves, so grateful. While they sat they listened to what Jesus did for them. They stayed long hours asking questions and wanting us to tell them more. I loved each day.

In time, Rosalind and I suffered physical problems that took us back to Canada for treatment. I really didn't like leaving the work behind. Sometimes it's difficult to understand that God will send others to do the work. We left 30 evangelist and church workers to do the work.

I can't wait until we are better and can return!



Jonathan has many stories to share. Come back each Monday to find out what happened next.



Resources Used for This Series
Being, Janet, and Geoff Benge. Jonathan Goforth: An Open Door in China. Seattle. WA: YWAM Pub., 2001.Print
Doyle, G. Wright. Builders of the Chinese Church: Pioneer Protestant Missionaries and Chinese Church Leaders. Eugene Oregon: Pickwick Pub, 2015. Print.
Goforth, Jonathan, and Rosaline Goforth, Miracle Lives of China, London" Marshall, Morgan & Scott, 1931, Print.
Goforth, Jonathan. "By My Spirit" Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1942. Print
Goforth, Rosalind. Climbing; Memories of a Missionary's Wife. Chicago: Moody Pub, n.d. Print
Goforth, Rosalind, How I Know God Answers Prayers; The Personal Testimony of One Life-time, New York: Harper & Brothers, 1921. Print
Goforth, Rosalind. Jonathan Goforth. Minneapolis, MN: Bethan House, 1986. Print
Goforth, Rosalind, How God Answers Prayer: The Mighty Miracles of God from the Mission Field of Jonathan Goforth. USA: Revival, 2016. Print Original copyright not stated.
Jackson, Dave, and Neta Jackson. Mask of the Wolf Boy: Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House, 1999. Print.
McCleary, Walter. An Hour with Jonathan Goforth: A Biography. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1938. Print.
Meloche, Renee Taft., and Bryan Pollard. Jonathan Goforth: Never Give up. Seattle, WA: YWAM, 2004. Print.

.

Let Jonathan hear from you!

Leave a comment below.