Climbing: Memories Of A Missionary's Wife

by Rosalind Goforth, Ruth Bell Graham (Foreword)

Mrs. Goforth continues the account that her husband began in the missionary classic, By My Spirit. Despite violence, disease, and poverty, the Goforths found God's provision to continue their work in the harsh land of post-imperial China.

Genres: Biography, Christian, History, Biography Memoir, Memoir, Christianity

Paperback

First published January 1, 1940

Reviews

[Hope · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Lord, hammer me all you will, but don't throw me on the scrap heap."

This was the constant prayer of Rosalind Goforth (1864-1942) who served as a missionary in China and Manchuria for many years. Six of her 11 children died there as she served alongside her more famous husband, Jonathan. Her book about him, Goforth of China is a widely known missionary biography, but her personal story was virtually unknown until she wrote this book.

While there may be missionary bios that are more eloquent (Elisabeth Elliot, Isobel Kuhn and Helen Roseveare's for example), you won't find many that are more candid than this one. Rosalind has no intention of portraying herself as some sort of super Christian. Her main point is, "If God can use someone as flawed as I am, then He can use anyone."

She writes of the tremendous challenges of reaching the Chinese for Christ and of the breakthroughs that came after years of toil. She records how the Lord miraculously provided for their needs over and over again. And she tells of continuous health struggles for both Jonathan and herself that kept them constantly trusting the Lord.

I particularly enjoyed her testimony of their 1916 furlough when she came to a deeper understanding of Christ's indwelling in her heart and life. Rosalind's hope for the book was that it would help those who were discouraged in ministry. In my case, her hopes were realized.

[Linda Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this eight years ago. As I recall it is the memoir of a missionary to China. She tells of her experiences and challenges in China as well as telling about visits back to the USA for fund raising.

[Natalie Weber · Rating 4 out of 5]

A candid account by Rosalind Goforth of some of the various challenges and experiences of life as a missionary to China around the turn of the 20th Century. I haven't read any of her other books, and she refers to them extensively throughout this one, so it felt like this was more a filling in the gaps with stories that weren't included in the other books. For that reason, it might be helpful for the reader to have a better frame of reference before reading this book. Nonetheless, I found it to be a quick and inspiring read as Rosalind shared of their dedication and perseverance in the work of their ministry despite illness, failures, opposition, and weakness. Truly a call to all Christians to be willing to forsake the comforts of this earthly life in exchange for eternal riches.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very similar, with several overlapping stories, to author's book Goforth of China. She is the wife of the famous missionary Jonathan Goforth. Much shorter, still a good read, as some of the stories were new. Always a challenge to read of their missionary work.

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another book about Mrs. Goforth that is well worth reading.

[Rebekah Barkman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love love this book. Candid (and hilarious) stories from a missionary.

[Barbara Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another favorite missionary book. After writing her husband's biography, Goforth of China, Rosalind was asked to share some things from her own perceptive. It's a fine line between "keeping it real" and complaining, but Rosalind did a wonderful job letting us in on the particular joys and trials of being a missionary wife. But it is not a book just for missionary wives: the lessons learned can apply to any reader.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading biographies, especially autobiographies, of godly men and women is an excellent idea for believers, and this humble, imperfect missionary's wife certainly qualifies. Although her speech is dated, she is very sincere and full of faith in our God.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Rosalind's transparency as she shares her spiritual struggles as a missionary, wife and mother to a large family in a very hard field... China!