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Mountain Rain: A Biography of James O. Fraser, Pioneer Missionary to China
Packed with personal letters, insightful anecdotes, and riveting stories of missionary life in China, this superb biography shines with God's constant faithfulness and power over evil.
246 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1982
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
March 15, 2016
I don't typically read biographies. In my past feeble hearted attempts I found them too dry to keep me coming back, because a fact of life is that facts of life are rarely engagingly-paced from beginning to end. Many people with robust, dynamic lives have to endure long swaths of mundanity, and that doesn't always make for a "can't put it down" tale. I was pleasantly surprised, then, when Mountain Rain opened up with a beautifully descriptive, action-packed narrative worthy of a novel. Just what was I getting myself into?
To be sure, Mountain Rain does not skip over the drawn-out tedium and seeming inactivity that James Fraser had to endure, but through the judicious use of personal quotes, challenging life lessons, and a penchant for vivid imagery, I never found myself bored. The narrative is excellently paced, with a different beat or trick to keep interest stoked throughout. The story was not just informational, but educational, especially in the spiritual sense. It was not just educational, it was entertaining. And what a life Fraser lived! If this series of adventures for God's kingdom took place in Middle Earth rather than the mountains of China I think there wouldn't be a noticeable difference. My only slight quibble with the book was how the last pages took the focus off of Fraser and his biological family, however, following his spiritual descendants and learning about the endurance of his work was a worthy trade off. James Fraser is suddenly my missionary prayer warrior action-hero role model, but unfortunately this was his real life and there are no planned sequels in the works (that I know of).
To be sure, Mountain Rain does not skip over the drawn-out tedium and seeming inactivity that James Fraser had to endure, but through the judicious use of personal quotes, challenging life lessons, and a penchant for vivid imagery, I never found myself bored. The narrative is excellently paced, with a different beat or trick to keep interest stoked throughout. The story was not just informational, but educational, especially in the spiritual sense. It was not just educational, it was entertaining. And what a life Fraser lived! If this series of adventures for God's kingdom took place in Middle Earth rather than the mountains of China I think there wouldn't be a noticeable difference. My only slight quibble with the book was how the last pages took the focus off of Fraser and his biological family, however, following his spiritual descendants and learning about the endurance of his work was a worthy trade off. James Fraser is suddenly my missionary prayer warrior action-hero role model, but unfortunately this was his real life and there are no planned sequels in the works (that I know of).
June 30, 2017
If we were all more like James Fraser, what a different world this would be. Although this isn't a particularly long biography, it was long enough for me to see this man's heart for God, the gospel, and the Lisu people in China. For about 200 pages, I got to walk with Fraser as he set aside promising futures in both music and engineering for the sake of missions, faced doubts and depression and unmistakable spiritual warfare, endured the struggle of faithful evangelism that seems to bear little or no fruit, and celebrated the glorious moments when—finally!—people understood and believed and became disciples of Christ. I would've gladly walked with Fraser for 200 more pages. But since the biography isn't that long, it just means I will have to return to this book for many rereads.
As I read Mountain Rain, I found it impossible to miss everything Fraser's life has to teach us about prayer. Fraser himself was a man who learned to pray in faith in ways I haven't yet, and he also had a phenomenal group of prayer partners back home. I am more convinced than ever that the missionaries my church supports, the churches they plant, the believers they disciple, and the lost people they share the gospel with need my and the rest of my church's diligent, fervent prayers. Although financial support is a good and helpful thing, prayer support is just as (probably more) important. When we pray, we, too, are participating in God's work around the world. If we give missionaries our money but not our believing, relentless, faithful prayers, we are cutting them and their work off from a vital spiritual lifeline.
One more word of praise—Mountain Rain has one of the better openings you'll read in a biography. Rather than starting with the tired line "James Fraser was born on [insert date] in [insert place]" and jumping right into his childhood, this biography opens with a riveting chase scene in China between Fraser and a Kachin man who wants to kill him. Then the narrative backs up to Fraser's early life. Like I said, great opening. But what's even better is that the Kachin man shows up later in the story. I won't say how, why, or when; you'll just have to read the book. All I'll say is that when he made his appearance again and I realized why, I was done for. Tears. Happy tears. Just sitting in my bed late at night crying in wonder and joy. When a book makes me do that, then I know I've read a winner.
Amazing biography!
(Read for the 2017 Tim Challies Christian Reading Challenge: A book by or about a missionary)
As I read Mountain Rain, I found it impossible to miss everything Fraser's life has to teach us about prayer. Fraser himself was a man who learned to pray in faith in ways I haven't yet, and he also had a phenomenal group of prayer partners back home. I am more convinced than ever that the missionaries my church supports, the churches they plant, the believers they disciple, and the lost people they share the gospel with need my and the rest of my church's diligent, fervent prayers. Although financial support is a good and helpful thing, prayer support is just as (probably more) important. When we pray, we, too, are participating in God's work around the world. If we give missionaries our money but not our believing, relentless, faithful prayers, we are cutting them and their work off from a vital spiritual lifeline.
One more word of praise—Mountain Rain has one of the better openings you'll read in a biography. Rather than starting with the tired line "James Fraser was born on [insert date] in [insert place]" and jumping right into his childhood, this biography opens with a riveting chase scene in China between Fraser and a Kachin man who wants to kill him. Then the narrative backs up to Fraser's early life. Like I said, great opening. But what's even better is that the Kachin man shows up later in the story. I won't say how, why, or when; you'll just have to read the book. All I'll say is that when he made his appearance again and I realized why, I was done for. Tears. Happy tears. Just sitting in my bed late at night crying in wonder and joy. When a book makes me do that, then I know I've read a winner.
Amazing biography!
(Read for the 2017 Tim Challies Christian Reading Challenge: A book by or about a missionary)
February 17, 2022
This story is astounding. The hand of God drawing people to Himself is clearly evident throughout, as is the power and necessity of prayer.
Four stars only because I found the writing style poor and harder to read. The content is excellent!
Four stars only because I found the writing style poor and harder to read. The content is excellent!
February 22, 2022
This is a great story which should give encouragement to every worker toiling for the grand cause of Jesus. The book is worth a read for the amazing glimpse into Fraser’s personal journey of prayer, for the firsthand portrayal of Lisu tribal village life in the early 20th century, and for the outstanding work God can do through a man entirely abandoned for the salvation of a people group.
A sizable portion of the book consists of excerpts from Fraser’s journal. I benefited from Fraser’s comments on overcoming discouragement—a battle which all front-line workers face. Here are a few thoughts I recorded for myself:
“I have given way to discouragement, dark discouragement far too much in the past. Now I know rather better and thoroughly agree with the assertion, 'all discouragement is of the devil.’”
“Discouragement is to be resisted just like sin. To give way to the one is just as bad and weakens us as much as to give way to the other. God has wonderfully sustained me through this trial, and to Him be all the praise when I say that not for one instant has it disturbed my peace or radiant faith in the risen and ascended Lord.”
A sizable portion of the book consists of excerpts from Fraser’s journal. I benefited from Fraser’s comments on overcoming discouragement—a battle which all front-line workers face. Here are a few thoughts I recorded for myself:
“I have given way to discouragement, dark discouragement far too much in the past. Now I know rather better and thoroughly agree with the assertion, 'all discouragement is of the devil.’”
“Discouragement is to be resisted just like sin. To give way to the one is just as bad and weakens us as much as to give way to the other. God has wonderfully sustained me through this trial, and to Him be all the praise when I say that not for one instant has it disturbed my peace or radiant faith in the risen and ascended Lord.”
December 13, 2022
I love how much James learnt about himself, his weakness, sinfulness and vulnerabilities which taught him to look to God continually in his ministry. I really appreciated seeing his journey and the wisdom God instilled in him through his experiences. I was more than anything stunned at God’s determination to bring the Lisu people to Himself and call them His. God chooses His people and no one will stand against Him, not even Satan or his demonic forces.
June 18, 2023
Reading stories of missionaries who went before us is a great encouragement.
James O. Fraser's life and work with the Lisu tribes is a thrilling story to read - even better that it is true.
What stood out to me was his prayer life - a challenge to us today about our own.
I would highly recommend reading this book.
James O. Fraser's life and work with the Lisu tribes is a thrilling story to read - even better that it is true.
What stood out to me was his prayer life - a challenge to us today about our own.
I would highly recommend reading this book.
July 31, 2025
A thrilling, inspiring story of James Fraser’s life in southwest China as a missionary. More fascinating than his life (which was incredibly fascinating) is his teaching on prayer and faith. I’m going to go back and take notes. Wow.
December 22, 2012
James Frazer's life was marked by consistent obedience and passion toward the calling on his life. I was challenged by the very pragmatic way that he accepted his call to Chine and the same way he dedicated himself to prayer. It was not rooted in emotion but it was a logical step of faith. Knowing that it was only in the step of obedience that he would be able to be used by God. Then it was only through the consistent lifestyle of prayer that his efforts would have any eternal impact. He was a humble realist and for that reason fell on his knees in prayer and shook a nation through it.
James Frazer is likely the single greatest example I have found of someone giving them self whole heartedly to prayer and proclamation of the Gospel. In his case the fruit was 10 years in the making but the fruit was good and now 70 years later the region he labored in prayer is 90% Christian and is sending people into other areas. The heart of a man is known by his fruit and the fruit of James Frazer was shown to be pure as was his heart.
The letter he wrote back home on the power of prayer can also stand on it's own as a must read. That is 30 pages of the 200 pages and should be read if you don't have the time for the whole book.
James Frazer is likely the single greatest example I have found of someone giving them self whole heartedly to prayer and proclamation of the Gospel. In his case the fruit was 10 years in the making but the fruit was good and now 70 years later the region he labored in prayer is 90% Christian and is sending people into other areas. The heart of a man is known by his fruit and the fruit of James Frazer was shown to be pure as was his heart.
The letter he wrote back home on the power of prayer can also stand on it's own as a must read. That is 30 pages of the 200 pages and should be read if you don't have the time for the whole book.
March 11, 2015
James Frasier was a pioneer missionary of the highest class. Few have undergone the hardship, deprivation and suffering that he did for the sake of the Gospel. His church-planting methods were revolutionary at the time, not to mention controversial. But now his "indigenous" approach is widely accepted and promoted among modern missionary societies. I highly recommend this book for any one considering missions as a career. Beyond that, every believer would be ministered to at some level by Frasier's self-sacrificing example. He died young (42, I believe), but accomplished great things for the Kingdom in the span of time that God gave to him.
July 28, 2014
I was deeply challenged by the life of this man. Less than 300 pages, it reminded me of a two-volume biography about Hudson Taylor that I had started but never finished. I will never look at the ministry of prayer again in the same way. Additionally, the reality of spiritual warfare became much more real and now I am seeing so many "distractions" all around me. Thoroughly convicted by this work, I challenge any believer in Christ to read it and see if he or she will come away unchanged, let alone unchallenged.
July 2, 2011
I was very impressed by this book. I had previously read Hudson Taylor's from the same OMF series. They both gave me a very different view of missionaries.
I had always assumed missionaries went and converted people. This is only part of their work. Their main task was praying for a work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the people they are serving. They also send information back to their supports asking them to pray for very specific evangelical needs.
Prayer is at the heart of evangelism.
I had always assumed missionaries went and converted people. This is only part of their work. Their main task was praying for a work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the people they are serving. They also send information back to their supports asking them to pray for very specific evangelical needs.
Prayer is at the heart of evangelism.
December 28, 2011
Inspiring biography about J.O. Fraser which describes his hardships and years of no visible fruit. Progress began when a regular prayer group started meeting to intercede for the Lisu people. Then God's arm stretched forth in incredible ways. Today, the Lisu are majority Christian and evangelized the people groups around them.
November 14, 2011
I absolutely love this book. Fraser's thought on prayer are very thought provoking. You get to see the very real power of the demonic but you also see Christ as more powerful, Christ as Lord. This #3 on my top five missionarybooks.
May 23, 2011
Excellent book on the life of James O. Fraser, missionary to the Lisu people in China. Amazing Christlike man! His prayer life was astounding. This book is full of adventure and great stories of how God powerfully worked amongst the Lisu through him.
July 14, 2012
Some may find that Fraser's way of expressing his thoughts too "old fashioned" or not politically correct enough, but that was the era, and there is no question that his love and work were sincere. I've found his insights on prayer particularly helpful.
March 22, 2011
A great book on prayer
June 27, 2020
I've been reading a lot of missionary biographies lately, I suspect Mountain rain will be one of the most impactful. Through the book I have just started to learn deep lessons of prayer, compassion, hospitality, and the love of Christ. I am sure that I will come back to this book again and again over the next few years.
For anyone looking for their next book, this is the one. I have already given away at least 3 copies to friends.
The book is half narrative and half James Fraser's journals. As a mountain preacher he spent days traveling from mountain village to mountain village and his thoughts are filled with the kind of wisdom that hardship and reflection produce.
Its hard to write a review on my phone, but i would recommend any of my friends to read this book.
For anyone looking for their next book, this is the one. I have already given away at least 3 copies to friends.
The book is half narrative and half James Fraser's journals. As a mountain preacher he spent days traveling from mountain village to mountain village and his thoughts are filled with the kind of wisdom that hardship and reflection produce.
Its hard to write a review on my phone, but i would recommend any of my friends to read this book.
August 3, 2021
While this is about a specific person, and he does come across larger than life at times, the main feeling the book leaves you with is of the need to get on your knees (metaphorically!). There is a strong sense of Fraser's dependency on God expressed through his own prayer and particularly the faithful prayers of people back home. There was a real poignancy in reading about people who fled over the border from China into Myanmar to escape repression and whose grandchildren I fear may now be under severe pressure from the military junta in Myanmar.
February 4, 2022
Any believer would benefit from reading this story of James Fraser, a faithful man of God. As he labored among mountainous tribes in China, his willingness to sacrifice is expressed in his contentment with the Lord. The effective work of prayer is a theme that runs throughout the book. There is much precious encouragement in these pages.
February 3, 2019
Written by James Fraser’s daughter, this is one of the greatest missionary biographies I’ve ever read. Fraser has been mostly forgotten, yet the fruits of his labor by God’s grace are still evident today.
May 3, 2023
Some books are an experience as well as a great read. This is one of those; sections fast paced with dangerous adventure, and sections profound with maturing faith and evangelistic zeal. Excellent and inspiring!
July 7, 2025
This is a fantastic book. Really bummed it took me so long to finish it. It’s such a great story of a man who lived a life dependent on the Lord! Very convicting and eye opening of what a life of prayer can lead to! Also brought to light the real enemy we face in the world.
March 30, 2025
Nice book, very encouraging story!
March 11, 2016
James O. Fraser was a pioneering missionary during the early part of the 20th century to the Lisu people in the Yunnan province of China. This book, written by his middle daughter, is particularly valuable for the way it traces the importance of prayer in Fraser's work.
Fraser married late and died at age 52, and I get the impression that Eileen was quite young when her dad died. (Her younger sister was still in her mother's womb.) But James Fraser sent home unusually thorough and illuminating letters to his supporters, and Eileen drew heavily from them in this biography. It is almost as much a primer on prayer as a missionary biography.
It also reflects the ups and downs of missionary life. Consider these two journal entries, written four days apart:
Friday, February 4. No meal till 2 p.m. Thoroughly depressed about state of work in Tantsah. ...
Tuesday, February 8. Mo La P' turns Christian in the morning. Gu, Va and T, all at his house. ... Full of joy and praise.
Fraser was a talented organist. He was an athletic man, able to withstand difficult conditions on mountain trails. He seemed to thrive on hardship:
Ba Thaw stubbed his foot, leaving blood marks all along the way. He had never seen snow before. No food till late in the afternoon when (below the snow line) we could make a fire. Saw armed robbers, but they did not attack us. Scenery magnificent. I enjoyed it after a fashion.
If you're interested in missions and missionaries, "Mountain Rain" is a good choice.
Fraser married late and died at age 52, and I get the impression that Eileen was quite young when her dad died. (Her younger sister was still in her mother's womb.) But James Fraser sent home unusually thorough and illuminating letters to his supporters, and Eileen drew heavily from them in this biography. It is almost as much a primer on prayer as a missionary biography.
It also reflects the ups and downs of missionary life. Consider these two journal entries, written four days apart:
Friday, February 4. No meal till 2 p.m. Thoroughly depressed about state of work in Tantsah. ...
Tuesday, February 8. Mo La P' turns Christian in the morning. Gu, Va and T, all at his house. ... Full of joy and praise.
Fraser was a talented organist. He was an athletic man, able to withstand difficult conditions on mountain trails. He seemed to thrive on hardship:
Ba Thaw stubbed his foot, leaving blood marks all along the way. He had never seen snow before. No food till late in the afternoon when (below the snow line) we could make a fire. Saw armed robbers, but they did not attack us. Scenery magnificent. I enjoyed it after a fashion.
If you're interested in missions and missionaries, "Mountain Rain" is a good choice.
May 5, 2016
Dull. Fraser is approached hagiographically, and the Chinese Lisu tribespeople condescendingly, as "Satan worshippers" in thrall to "demon priests" whose conversions to Christianity are ascribed in large part to spiritual warfare (although some strategy is considered). There's a bit of interesting background about Fraser's role within the China Inland Mission, and some sense of the wider missionary scene (he met CT Studd in 1906, and later inspired Isobel Kuhn), but much of the story focuses on Fraser's spiritual reflections (including battles against loneliness) while living in isolated villages. In particular, his connections with British authorities are somewhat opaque: we learn that he wrote a handbook on the Lisu for the British Government in Rangoon, but not how it came about. Considering debates over anthropologists' links with colonialism, that seems to me to be a subject worth further consideration.
September 3, 2016
This is the biography of James Fraser who was a pioneer missionary amongst the Lisu people on the border of China and Burma with CIM following Hudson Taylor.
There are some fascinating insights into the deprivation he suffered alongside the normal life of the Lisu peole and about his philosophy of how missionary work should be done: very much enabling local people to take the initiative and control. About empowerment really. It's also apparent how this stance was against some of the thoughts of his colleagues.
He expounds throughout the book about prayer: whether prayer is general and vague or specific. That if you ask specifically you will discover it has already been granted. And how the simple prayers of the Lisu people seemed to be answered. It is a real spiriual battlefield against the demon worship of the local religion.
Interesting read.
There are some fascinating insights into the deprivation he suffered alongside the normal life of the Lisu peole and about his philosophy of how missionary work should be done: very much enabling local people to take the initiative and control. About empowerment really. It's also apparent how this stance was against some of the thoughts of his colleagues.
He expounds throughout the book about prayer: whether prayer is general and vague or specific. That if you ask specifically you will discover it has already been granted. And how the simple prayers of the Lisu people seemed to be answered. It is a real spiriual battlefield against the demon worship of the local religion.
Interesting read.
March 5, 2014
This isn't the best biography I've ever read, but James Frasier's life and ministry is fascinating. At 22, Frasier moved from Britain to the Yunnan region of China as part of China Inland Mission (now named OMF International). He felt a strong call to the Lisu people, and spent much of his life hiking the mountains of China to reach the Lisu villages and to share the gospel of Jesus.
Subject of the biography: very interesting. Read. Style of biography: slightly flat.
Subject of the biography: very interesting. Read. Style of biography: slightly flat.
April 26, 2016
It's been a while since I actually ready this book, so a full review would be highly untrustworthy, but what I do remember about this book is how Fraser's prayer life gripped me. This missions biography doesn't grab the headlines that many others do, but is a worthy read, especially for the lessons learned from this man's pursuit of Christ during his life's work.
April 8, 2021
This is a remarkable book that taught me so much about prayer. Well written and features many extracts from James O Fraser's journals and prayer letters. This book is a great handbook for prayer, it's challenging and inspiring and it's transformed my prayer life. It's a book I know I'll be returning to on a regular basis and one I'm going to end up sharing with many.
October 20, 2015
Книга про людину великої віри. Служіння Фразера було нелегким і довго залишалося без плоду, але Бог виховував його серце і благословив його радісним врожаєм на ниві Своїй Свого часу. Книга допомогла мені переглянути мені своє служіння, наміри мого серця і глибину моєї віри.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews