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Nothing Daunted: The Story of Isobel Kuhn
In 1922, a college student began a search that led to the Bible, Jesus Christ, and life as a missionary in the mountains of China. Her story of God's faithfulness will inspire your youngsters to new heights! Ages 12 and up. 167 pages, softcover. For ages 12 and up.
167 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1994
10 people are currently reading
139 people want to read
About the author
Gloria Repp
47 books57 followersBedtime? Story time! Gloria Repp’s earliest memories center on the stories her father told at bedtime. “What kind of story would you like tonight?” he’d ask, taking her onto his lap.
She always had an answer, different every time: “About a princess. And a lion. And maybe a horse—a brave, kind horse.”
After she learned to read, Gloria found stories on her own, but the ones she told herself seemed the most satisfying. Her mother died, her father remarried, she was sent away to school, and on many nights she treated herself to another imaginary adventure.
She became an omnivorous reader as the years passed, and finally she recognized what she’d always wanted to do: write down her stories for children to read.
She studied the craft of writing juvenile fiction and then began. Her three children seemed to like her stories, so she took the long road to publication and found that others liked them too. Since then, she has taught creative writing, worked as an editor, and written more books—for children, teens, and adults.
Many of Gloria’s books reflect her love for wilderness, and she says that the oceans, mountains, and forests of her childhood in Hawaii and Canada provide an inspiration she has never outgrown.
Recently, she has been exploring the New Jersey Pine Barrens, an incomparable wilderness of woods and rivers, bogs and ruins. One memorable spring evening, she listened to its frogs and found them irresistible. Before long, the hours of tramping through abandoned cranberry bogs bore fruit, and she began to dream of stories about a tiny Pine Barrens Treefrog named Pibbin.
Pibbin’s adventures have taken shape, young readers enjoy them, and each year she goes back to the Pine Barrens for more. The Tales of Friendship Bog continue.
She always had an answer, different every time: “About a princess. And a lion. And maybe a horse—a brave, kind horse.”
After she learned to read, Gloria found stories on her own, but the ones she told herself seemed the most satisfying. Her mother died, her father remarried, she was sent away to school, and on many nights she treated herself to another imaginary adventure.
She became an omnivorous reader as the years passed, and finally she recognized what she’d always wanted to do: write down her stories for children to read.
She studied the craft of writing juvenile fiction and then began. Her three children seemed to like her stories, so she took the long road to publication and found that others liked them too. Since then, she has taught creative writing, worked as an editor, and written more books—for children, teens, and adults.
Many of Gloria’s books reflect her love for wilderness, and she says that the oceans, mountains, and forests of her childhood in Hawaii and Canada provide an inspiration she has never outgrown.
Recently, she has been exploring the New Jersey Pine Barrens, an incomparable wilderness of woods and rivers, bogs and ruins. One memorable spring evening, she listened to its frogs and found them irresistible. Before long, the hours of tramping through abandoned cranberry bogs bore fruit, and she began to dream of stories about a tiny Pine Barrens Treefrog named Pibbin.
Pibbin’s adventures have taken shape, young readers enjoy them, and each year she goes back to the Pine Barrens for more. The Tales of Friendship Bog continue.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
February 1, 2022
Wowwww. This was an incredibly inspiring story. I had never heard of John and Isobel Kuhn or of the Lisu people, and although I've read other missionary accounts from China that would have overlapped as far as the time period, the special challenges of this particular setting made it feel entirely unique. I had tears in my eyes so many times--at God's specific and direct answers to prayer, at the homegoing of some beloved brother or sister, at a particularly sweet moment of Christian fellowship. I can't imagine the courage and sacrifice it must have taken to dedicate so many years of their lives to serve in this way, but seeing the continuing fruit of their efforts, even after the missionaries were forced out of China, was so beautiful and strengthening. "And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels." - Malachi 3:17
Content--one mention of suicidal thoughts; mentions of war and destruction; mentions of deaths
Content--one mention of suicidal thoughts; mentions of war and destruction; mentions of deaths
August 26, 2012
I did not love this book, but I did appreciate the author's purpose as it was a tribute to her grandmother. I think my being conflicted with the book related to the fact that much of her story could have been my mother's story, only at a later time and in upstate NY. I guess, I had wished that my sister and I had a way to capture her story, but there were no letters, only some oral history and not enough for a book. I did come to appreciate it much more during the conversation held about it at my book club. Their understanding of the two women and their backgrounds helped me to appreciate that their year of teaching was more fundamental for them than just having an adventure. One other comment.. I didn't think that there was very much in the book about their actual teaching and I guess as an educator, I would have loved to have heard more about that.
August 3, 2022
I loved this book. Inspiring and motivating and beautiful in many ways. My heart breaks, though, that she seemed to have barely lived any of her time on earth alongside her daughter. I can’t imagine sending my young son away and not seeing him for years. That aspect of the Kuhn’s story really affected me in a sad way.
With that said, Isobel’s faith and courage is inspiring. I have gleaned a lot of good from this book.
With that said, Isobel’s faith and courage is inspiring. I have gleaned a lot of good from this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 6, 2024
Read aloud to the girls and it was a great reminder to always be in the habit of reading together about Christians who have gone before. Although Isobel Kuhn's life looked so different than our lives look today, her problems boil down to the same things we're facing - the determination to keep taking the next step, trusting God and putting aside the flesh.
May 22, 2017
Fantastic book! I love reading stories about the old guard - missionaries of days past.
January 5, 2015
Isobel Kuhn (1901-1957) is one of my favorite missionary writers. She and her husband, John, served the Lisu people in the mountains of southern China from 1934 to 1950. Nothing Daunted gives an overview of their life and ministry. When Isobel and John went to China they had no idea that they would be ousted because of WWII and later because of communism, but God laid it on their hearts to focus on a teaching ministry. They knew they could never reach the hundreds of Lisu villages by themselves, so they held yearly Bible schools for men, women and teens. These were intensive weeks of training in the newly translated Lisu New Testament.
The Kuhn’s encountered many trials. Some of their carefully trained leaders died of illness because they lived so far away from medical care. Their daughter Kathryn was sent to a boarding school that was captured by the Japanese during the war. Fighting among the clans threatened to destroy the churches. But John and Isobel toiled on. When they left China in 1950 there were 17,000 believers. Because of the Kuhn's insistence on thorough Bible training, the Lisu Christians continued to preach and teach; 50 years later there were 200,000 Lisu Christians.
After you read this book, you should read one of Kuhn’s own books. Green Leaf In Drought is probably the most famous, but By Searching is another gem.
The Kuhn’s encountered many trials. Some of their carefully trained leaders died of illness because they lived so far away from medical care. Their daughter Kathryn was sent to a boarding school that was captured by the Japanese during the war. Fighting among the clans threatened to destroy the churches. But John and Isobel toiled on. When they left China in 1950 there were 17,000 believers. Because of the Kuhn's insistence on thorough Bible training, the Lisu Christians continued to preach and teach; 50 years later there were 200,000 Lisu Christians.
After you read this book, you should read one of Kuhn’s own books. Green Leaf In Drought is probably the most famous, but By Searching is another gem.
March 17, 2012
Part of the enjoyment of this book for me comes from being familiar with the area around Hayden, CO. The three-day stagecoach journey from Wolcott to Hayden - a trip that now takes less than an hour and a half in a car - is as good a measure as any of the differences between life then and life now. That, and the matter of fact description of the building of a schoolhouse without environmental impact studies and need to comply with endless regulations...........a schoolhouse that still stands.
Makes you realize that part of the competence of people who had much harder lives than we do stems from their freedom to improvise.
Makes you realize that part of the competence of people who had much harder lives than we do stems from their freedom to improvise.
June 30, 2014
Perhaps my expectations were too high. After all, the author has been executive editor of The New Yorker since 1996. So where was her editor? The book started very slowly, then thankfully picked up nicely. I probably would have stopped reading about 50 pages in, but this was for a book club so I finished.
If you are interested in early Colorado history and courageous women, this book could be a good choice for you. If you insist on very good writing, I recommend you pass on this one.
If you are interested in early Colorado history and courageous women, this book could be a good choice for you. If you insist on very good writing, I recommend you pass on this one.
December 31, 2012
I enjoyed this. Good depiction of the life of two school teachers in the middle of nowhere Colorado, it really makes me appreciate what I have. The epilogue gave a tantalizing glance at these ladies later lives, I hope that another book will follow. This was a quick read for me,so I hardily recommend it for reading on the plane, etc..
October 5, 2009
My first girlhood introduction to Isobel Kuhn. Great for elementary/early middle school.
July 10, 2011
Oops, wrong book!
February 25, 2012
loved this missionary book by Isobel K about her husband and herself. Quite uplifinting. Still have a real hard time with their policy about their children, leaving them behind
Read
August 21, 2012didn't read
October 1, 2012
I love to read about Colorado's "pioneer" women. Learned much about the Hayden/Steamboat Springs area in early 1900's. Brave strong women!!!
August 3, 2013
A marvelous tale of life 100 years ago. Makes one relive the experience of people in that day and age.
November 4, 2016
Middle School
September 13, 2014
Just ok.
April 14, 2017
I enjoyed this story very much. Isobel Kuhn is a real person with real doubts and struggles, yet her faith does not waver. It is one of the most inspiring books I have ever read. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to know what God can do with a person's life.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews