- Born
- Died
- Height4′ 10″ (1.47 m)
- Gladys Aylward was born on February 24, 1902 in Edmonton, London Borough of Enfield, Greater London, England. She died on January 3, 1970 in Danshui, New Taipei City, Taiwan.
- ParentsThomas John AylwardRosina Florence Aylward
- By the time of her death, Gladys had become a revered figure and she deserved every bit of it. Her work continues at many children's home in Taipei and the 'Hope Mission' in Hong Kong.
- A school in London was renamed the 'Gladys Aylward School' after her death. It was previously known as 'Weir Hall and Huxley.'.
- Gladys was appointed as an assistant to the government as a 'foot inspector.' Her job was to tour the country and enforce the law against 'footbinding' young Chinese girls and she achieved decent success despite a lot of opposition. In 1936, she earned the citizenship of the 'Republic of China.' During the 1938 invasion by Japan, she rescued more than 100 orphans to shelter.
- In 1930, she spent her savings to go to China. While travelling by the 'Trans-Siberian Railway,' she was apprehended in Russia, but managed to escape and board a Japanese ship. From Japan she took another ship to reach Yangcheng, China.
- Never married but adopted five children. Over time, she eventually adopted 94 children.
- Life is pitiful, death so familiar, suffering and pain so common, yet I would not be anywhere else. Do not wish me out of this or in any way seek to get me out, for I will not be got out while this trial is on. These are my people, God has given them to me, and I will live or die with for Him and His glory.
- The eagle that soars in the upper air does not worry itself how it is to cross rivers.
- If God has called you to China or any other place and you are sure in your own heart, let nothing deter you.Remember, it is God who has called you and it is the same as when He called Moses or Samuel.
- Here was I worrying about my journey, while God was helping me all the way. It made me realize that I am very weak; my courage is only borrowed from Him, but, oh, the peace that flooded my soul; and although I know that I may be held up at the border , I am at peace within, because I know that He never faileth.
- I wasn't God's first choice for what I've done in China...I don't know who it was...it must have been a man...a well-educated man. I don't know what happened. Perhaps he died. Perhaps he wasn't willing...and God looked down...and saw Gladys Aylward...and God said, 'Well, she's willing.'
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