Gladys Aylward

Gladys Aylward starts the story as a maid who always wanted to be a stage actress. However, she happens to visit a prayer meeting, and from that time forward she realizes God has a claim on her and that she must serve Him. She is compelled toward the most unlikely of places - China - and with almost no belongings, money, or food, she travels to an unknown land.

Undoubtedly, Gladys has an amazing amount of courage, courage Gladys might say is God-given. This, combined with dogged persistence and an abiding faith that God will take care of her no matter what, allow her to step into extraordinary circumstances - war, famine, the wilderness, a prison, a leper colony. While she might suffer greatly, doubt herself, or forget her purpose (she admonishes herself in one instance for praying for food and shelter, when she should be praying...