The Missionary Who Crossed the Mountains with a Hundred Children

In 1940, as Japanese forces advanced through China's Shanxi province, Gladys Aylward faced an impossible choice. The small English missionary had been caring for nearly a hundred orphans in the city of Yangcheng. Staying meant certain danger. Fleeing meant crossing mountain passes on foot with children as young as four.

She chose the mountains.

For twelve days, Aylward led her caravan of orphans over rugged terrain, through rain and bitter cold, with almost no food. She sang hymns to keep the smallest ones walking. She carried those who could not carry themselves. At night, when fear pressed close, she gathered the children and repeated the promises she had memorized in the years since she first arrived in China with barely enough money for a train ticket.

When they finally reached the Yellow River and found no boats to cross, Aylward collapsed in despair. A thirteen-year-old girl tugged her sleeve and asked, "Do you not believe God can do anything?" Within hours, a Chinese soldier appeared with a boat.

Every child survived the journey.

The psalmist wrote, "He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep." Through twelve days of mountain passes and sleepless nights, the Almighty kept watch over a stubborn English woman and a hundred frightened children. Their feet did not slip. The Lord guarded their going out and their coming in — just as He had promised.