Patricia St. John Tells Her Own Story

by Patricia St. John

Anyone who has read Patricia St. John’s books already knows how her stories come alive, and this account of her own life is no exception. Her powers of description make the story leap from the page and the reader is transported to far off places and times; and the people and the things she describes can almost be touched, smelled and seen.
Patricia was not just a gifted story-teller, though; she was also a deeply committed follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, whose spiritual journey began when she was only six years old. ‘My name is Patricia, ’ she prayed, ‘and if You are really calling me I want to come and be Yours. ’ Out of that small beginning there issued a river of life and light and blessing that went on increasing right up to the end of her life. Although she always thought of herself as ‘an ordinary sort of girl’ , her life was extraordinary because of her supreme love for Jesus Christ.

The life portrayed here is not that of the self-conscious saint, concerned only with her own saintliness. On the contrary these pages offer us an inside view of someone utterly human, prone to mistakes and failures like the rest of us, yet suffused with the love of God and a contagious joy and peace that was like the bubbling up of a perpetual fountain.

Genres: Christian, Biography, Nonfiction, Memoir, School, Autobiography

274 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 17, 1995

About the author

Patricia Mary St. John spent 27 years as a dedicated missionary to North Africa - and was also a prolific children's writer. Her books are loved and treasured around the world; some have been turned into stirring films. Gripping adventures which cover real life issues are her hallmark.

Reviews

[Jeanette Grant-Thomson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading the life story of the woman behind all those wonderful children's stories such as The Tanglewoods Secret. I felt as if I'd lost a friend when she died at the end.

[James Bunyan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A better travel book than anything else, as the author spent time as a missionary in Tangiers and traveled in Syria, Turkey and Switzerland. I think the main thing one can learn from this book is just how effective good hospitality can be in sharing the love of Jesus to those around you, especially if cultural and linguistic barriers limit the amount of formal teaching one can do.
She seems like a really wonderful old saint and this book is full of love and a real sense of how brilliant Jesus is.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many gems in this book! An amazing life of one who gave her life to serve others.

Two stories will be long remembered. One story came from her time in Morocco as a nurse. She traveled to outlying villages often. These trips were hard and fatiguing. Once on a return trip she got agitated at the bus driver for not dropping her and her friends off at a more convenient place. It would mean a long walk up a hill. But one of her friends reminded her that the very place where the bus would leave them was a place for which they had long prayed. When they stepped off the bus there was a woman with a sick baby beside the road. When asked what she was doing she said she was waiting for them. In a dream God told her that she would meet someone who could help her sick baby. An exciting new place of ministry opened up for them. It is a great lesson on trusting the Lord even with our inconveniences.

Then near the end of the book St. John made some very difficult trips to Ethiopia where the famine was claiming many lives daily. She wondered, "Is the Lord amongst them or not? " She knew that the Lord could bring an end to the famine in a moment and wondered why he didn't. But as she stayed there she began to witness God at work. She visited a church service one day to see it full of vibrant, joyful Christians. She learned that the young man ministering there had found Christ at the refugee camp. He then began to see the refugee camp as his mission field. Many were finding Christ because of him. St. John writes, "We would have changed their circumstances, but we would not have changed them. God's solution is sometimes different. He does not always lift people out of the situation. He Himself comes into the situation...He doesn't pluck them out of darkness. He becomes the light in the darkness, the peace in midst of the conflict..."

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a lover of several of Patricia St John's children's books, I was eager to read her autobiography when I stumbled upon it. I was not disappointed to read about her amazing life journey which often inspired her stories. And I was surprised to hear about several other books I was not aware she had authored. They are now promptly added to my "To Read" list!!
Fandom aside, the spiritual encouragement was also a refreshment. Her faith and trust in difficult and hard times were a conviction to evaluate my own. And her joy, hope and contentment likewise an example to model after.
What a blessed life ❤️

[Judith · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a child, I thoroughly enjoyed St. John's children books, such as _Treasures of the Snow_. As an adult, I enjoyed learning what shaped the lady who wrote those books and her life in North Africa. This book was also instrumental in shaping how I think about being an aunt.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful autobiography. I knew she wrote children's books but I had no idea of the sacrificial and joyful life that she led. Inspirational account written by a real person and gifted writer.

[Michael Schroeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring

The life of a genuine Christian living in full service to her King. I pray to learn from her example.

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read a few of Patricia St. John’s children’s books as “required reading” through the My Father’s World ciriculum but I knew absolutely nothing about the author until this gem! My son is about to study World Geography through Notgrass History and this is one of the books he has to read for the literature portion. I am working through his required reading books just for fun and also to discuss them with him.

Wow, Patricia certainly led a very interesting life!! From the all girls boarding school, to living abroad for a year as a child to following her brother (who was a doctor and started a hospital) to Morocco after becoming a nurse. Her stories of life in a very Muslim country are incredible. She remained single her whole life and sacrificed herself to serving others. Even after serving as a nurse and missionary, she nursed her beloved family members in their old age as well. Just a beautiful life lived! I loved how close she was to all of her family members! Even though she never married and had children of her own, she was an integral part of her parents lives, her siblings and their spouses and children’s lives.

After reading this book, I am definitely going to go back and read her other children’s books to my younger son!

I look forward to meeting Patricia St. John one day in heaven! She is my new hero! Her attitude, her kindness, her servant’s heart just amazed me!

[Abigail McNutt · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I picked this book up at a conference, I thought 'hmm, an autobiography of a Christian author whom some years ago I loved reading, this will be interesting', little did I know that Patricia's life is as fascinating and adventurous as her novels. It was great to see where her inspiration came from for her novels, however, I think to me, this story is the most inspiring.
I would have given 5stars if it weren't for the scattered structure of the book, regardless, I was hooked.
It is also great to find out that Patricia lived in Coventry too! We also recently raised money for Global Care as well. So I must admit, I feel a connection with Patricia, which perhaps is why she inspires me.
"Her work is done - she was a setter of the pace. Now look to Me and looking run your race."

[Olivia Barth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this--inspirational and encouraging.

[mal mal · Rating 1 out of 5]

this was a school book 😂

[Gemma · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a life.

Although I loved one of her books as a child I now need to read the rest.

[Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wholesome book, really shows the greatness of God working through missionaries. Learned so much! Amazing biography!

[Alasdair Paine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful account of her missionary work in Morocco, and the background to her many children’s books.

[Dani · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a remarkable woman who lived her life for Jesus by serving others.

[Bethany Joy Warner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting and inspirational! A great life to review well written. I learned so much and highly recommend reading this book to spur on faith! Truly an amazing person with an incredible story.

[Molly Aimée Doolittle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very inspiring biography, although parts of it can be a bit dry. Her story is well told though, and she shares the gospel, talks about and prays to Jesus through out the whole book. It was semi-enjoyable. But keep in mind this is a very different style than books like "The Hiding Place" or "Evidence not seen". But overall I do recommend this book, and was greatly inspired through her writing. :)

[Jade La Grange · Rating 4 out of 5]

Patricia was a saint of a woman in the sense that she saw the world as the beautiful creation God created it to be, meant to be explored and admired in all its glory. However, this didn't blind her to the turmoil and travesty that underpinned the various areas she served and lived in for a while. If anything, this only seemed to motivate her to continue with her God-given calling until completion.
Reading her biography makes me want to read her children's books because the lessons and philosophies on life she carried with her throughout her years on earth, must definitely be that much more poetic and moving within her stories, many inspired by her travels.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this and discovering the parts of her real life that had inspired the books. A fascinating look into her life, starting with her childhood as the daughter of missionary parents (although she lived at home rather than in the mission field), and her own work as a nurse and missionary in North Africa and working at a school in rural England. Very well written.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

A blessing to read! The first couple of chapters were a little slow... But what a wonderful story of a life given over to God.

A bio about someone who traveled to a foreign country to serve