Paul Brand: Helping Hands

Eric's (1902-1945) refusal earlier that week to run on Sunday in the Olympic 100-meter race had stunned the world. Now his incredible victory in the 400-meter race further strengthened his believe in God's promise, "He who honors Me, I will honor." Years later, Eric Liddell would be tested far beyond mere physical ability as a missionary to China. His character, perseverance, and endurance are a challenging example for all who would obey the call to bring the gospel to the nations.

Unless God helps us, there is no hope, Captain Morris yelled over the roar of the storm. Hudson Taylor had to agree. Indeed the Dumfries might sink this very day and he would never live to see the shores of China, a land whose people he was certain God had called him to. Hudson survived his perilous maiden voyage to his beloved China. With his heart set in determined obedience to God, Hudson overcame persecution and almost overwhelming personal losses to bring God's truth to the "ripe harvest fields" of China.

One of the famous Doolittle Raiders who first attacked Japan after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Jacob DeShazer (1912-2008) knew this one-way mission was dangerous. Indeed, it led to his capture as a prisoner of war. Beaten, malnourished, and alone in his cell, Jacob was given a Bible - and far away from home, this American soldier became a Christian.

During WWI, Cameron Townsend (1896-1982) was told, "You'll do more good selling Bibles in Central America than you would shooting Germans in France." Cameron began by translating the Bible into the language of his Guatemalan friends. Then he started Wycliffe Bible Translators with the dream of making the Good News available in every language. Since 1942, Wycliffe has translated Scripture into hundreds of languages, spreading God's Word to people everywhere.

Born into a loving family, Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945) pursued a life as a pastor, teacher, theologian - and spy. He spoke out about the trouble in Germany when Adolph Hitler came to power, urging the Christian church to rescue disparaged people groups and resist Hitler’s evil empire. Accused of being a troublemaker, Dietrich continued on fearlessly in the midst of wickedness. His work as a spy in the German resistance and participation in a plot to assassinate Hitler led to imprisonment and eventual execution.

Ida had never forgotten the faces of starving Indian children. She hated India - it was full of horrible situations she could do nothing about. Ida Scudder was sure she would never follow in the footsteps of her medical missionary father. But when she witnessed Indian women dying because their religious beliefs didn't allow male doctors to treat them, Ida heard herself pray, "God, if you want me to, I will spend the rest of my life in India trying to help these women."

William's amazing journey to India would prove to be just the beginning of a missionary quest filled with hardship and heartache as well as tremendous victories. Often referred to as "the father of modern missions", William Carey displayed a single-minded determination to set his face like a flint to the task of bringing the gospel to those lost in darkness. His life of service and sacrifice is a guidepost to Christians of all generations.

It was totally dark. The lights in the city were turned off, and there were no streetlamps, no neon signs, and no extra glow in shop windows. Klaus noticed that theirs was the only car on the road. How would they slip by the checkpoint? Klaus glanced at his wife, Tina, whose eyes were shut in prayer. Suddenly he heard a thunderous crash, then saw a bright flash of light. Klaus-Dieter John dreamed of becoming a medical missionary in the developing world. He would do whatever it took.

As Sundar preached the gospel to the crowd, the monastery guard marched forward and arrested him. Sundar was dragged to the edge of town and hurled to the bottom of an abandoned well. The air was putrid. Desperation and loneliness soon washed over him. Left to die, Sundar leaned against the side of the well and began to pray. Searching since boyhood for the way to God, Sundar Singh found truth in Jesus Christ.

A rip current overturned the whaleboat with eight Kanaka Christians aboard. Only three of the men could swim, and the others clung to the upturned boat. Sharks circled the three as they struggled to get to shore. The three survived, but the others could not be found. When Florence heard the news, she resolved to go on despite the dangers. Once timid and unsure of her own salvation, New Zealander Florence Young rose to her calling and became a fearless and faithful witness for Jesus Christ.

Missionary trio Mildred Cable and Evangeline and Franscesca French were the first Englishwomen to cross the infamous Gobi Desert, living for years among the diverse peoples of northwestern China in places few Europeans ever reached. Educated and rich, Mildred Cable (1878-1952) once planned to be a concert pianist. Instead she served the people of China through wars and revolutions. Mildred followed Jesus with grit, determination, intelligence, and faith.

Betty Greene coaxed her Grumman seaplane to 2,000 feet.... Suddenly, silence - total silence. The plane engine had stopped! Her passengers gasped, but Betty knew she must remain calm. They had only one slim chance for survival: The twisting jungle river below them. As a young girl growing up on the shores of Lake Washington, Betty Greene had two passions: A love for Christ and a love of flying. As a young World War II WASP pilot, Betty dreamed of combining her two passions by using wings to serve God.

When he became God's smuggler, Brother Andrew (1928- ) was already familiar with risk. As a boy, the intrepid Andrew van der Bijl joined the Dutch Resistance against the Nazi occupation. As a young man, he fought eagerly in the Dutch East Indies - until the horror of war turned the adventure seeker to a life of alcohol and desperation. Redeemed by God, the Dutchman became a daring messenger of hope, smuggling Scripture through closed borders and equipping persecuted Christians behind the Iron Curtain.

As a 14-year-old intent on living a "modern" life, the last thing Isobel Kuhn (1901-1957) wanted to grow up to be was a missionary. But as it turned out, this young agnostic's life was redirected - from crisis and doubt to hope and strength. Convinced that God wanted her to preach the gospel as a China inland missionary, Isobel bravely served among the Lisu people in remote mountainous regions of China and Thailand. After 20 years of ministry Isobel returned to the United States, writing stirring stories of faith and inspiring generations of listeners.

Aboard the Aquitania, Rachel became aware of something strange happening to her. It was as if she were not on the deck of the ship anymore but was instead in a jungle clearing, looking at a group of brown-skinned, half-naked people. The people beckoned her to come. Suddenly the scene vanished, and Rachel fell to her knees and prayed.