Elisabeth Elliot has often commented on how formative it was for her spiritually to be in contact with missionaries while she was growing up. If you listen to her podcast like I do (speeches and talks delivered while she was still living), various themes emerge on a regular basis, one of which is her recommendation that Christians read biographies of missionaries. I heard her say it again today and decided that it’s time for me to re-visit some of the biographies we have in our home that I read many years ago.
It’s been so long since I’ve read these that I have only the barest glimmers of specific memories of them. The one about C.T. Studd looked like it would be a yawner, but I remember enjoying it quite a lot. I haven’t read most of the set in white on the right – just the one about George Muller. I think we bought that set to read to the kids – might be a little too late, now.
We also have on our shelf a biography of Dawson Trotman, the man who started The Navigators, which became a campus Christian group. I might read it again, but recall the section in his book in which he felt he couldn’t start his day without three hours of prayer (starting at some hour of the morning before the sun had even thought about rising). It’s hard not to feel a little deflated upon reading that sort of example. And then there’s our book about Martin Luther by Roland Bainton. Teeny tiny print in a very old, dilapidated paperback. Probably not going to tackle that one again either, since I’m at an age when the size of the letters has become very important.
Please give me your recommendations for biographies to read – either of missionaries or of any great men and women of the faith.
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us,
let us also lay aside every encumbrance
and the sin which so easily entangles us,
and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.
Hebrews 12:1
I’ll probably delete this in the morning if I’m not too busy reading.
Lynniebeemuseoday 
Lynnie – drop any book you might have in your hand at this moment – and refrain from picking up any other except the following:
“BONHOEFFER Pastor, Prophet, Soldier, Spy”. By Eric Metaxas
Unless, of course, you have already read this fantastic, well-written, and inspiring (and sobering) biography!
Dietrich Bonhoeffer might not have been a missionary in the strictest sense, but he set aside his ambitions and desires and gave his all for the Kingdom and the Gospel. He could have stayed out of harm’s way after leaving Germany for the safety of America, but Bonhoeffer answered God’s call to return to Germany knowing full well his life would be in danger. And so it was. After being arrested for his part in a failed attempt to kill Hitler, Bonhoeffer was jailed. Just weeks before Germany surrendered, he was led to the gallows and hanged with piano wire…
As he was led away from his cell, Bonhoeffer said to a cell mate, “What looks like the end, for me is a new beginning”. If Dietrich Bonhoeffer isn’t technically a missionary, I vote to grant him status as an honorary missionary..!
Got a bit carried away in my enthusiasm for this book, I see. Let me know if you have already read it.
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I love the enthusiasm! I have read that book, probably about five years so, but I’d definitely read it again. Thanks for the recommend!
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He Gave Us a Valley by Hellen Roseveare!
I heard her and Elisabeth Elliot speak at Urbana 76 and they were very inspiring. While I was in high school, our youth pastor (who was an MK from The Congo) influenced me toward mission work. Hearing, then reading the stories of missionaries, I agree with Elisabeth Elliot! A woman from our church was with her husband working with Elisabeth and her husband in Quito, Ecuador when their tragedy occurred back in the ’50’s.
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Wow, what a connection! I also heard Hellen Roseveare speak at Urbana, but didn’t realize she had a book. I’ll put it on my list! Thank you!
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