Ascent to the Tribes: Pioneering in North Thailand

by Isobel Kuhn

Ascent to the Tribes Pioneering in North Thailand

Genres: Christian, Biography, Religion

157 pages, Paperback

First published January 28, 2000

About the author

In Finnish:
Isobel Kuhn (1901-1957) teki elämäntyönsä pääosin Lisu-heimon parissa Kiinan ja Burman raja-alueilla sekä Thaimaan pohjoisosassa. AREENALLA on persoonallinen kuvaus haastavasta työstä ja Jumalan johdatuksesta vaikeuksien keskellä. Elävästi kirjoitettu ETSIMÄSSÄ kertoo lähetystyötä edeltävästä ajasta, kun kristityn kodin kasvatti sanoutui irti lapsuusajan opetuksista, ryhtyi agnostikoksi ja yritti täyttää elämänsä tanssimisella, teatterilla ja seurustelulla. Sisäisen tyhjyyden kokeminen sai Isobelin kysymään Jumalan olemassaoloa ja etsimään todellista suhdetta Häneen. Jumala osoitti itsensä todeksi ja johti Isobelin "sumuisilta tasangoilta" siunatuille vuoripoluille - hän sai evankelistan kutsumuksen, kävi Moodyn perustaman raamattukoulun, ja lopulta - sille areenalle, missä hän sai olla todistamassa Jumalan tekoja Lisu-kansan parissa.

Reviews

[Shaleena Fuller quinlan]

Missions in Reality

If you ever wondered what makes a person into a missionary, then this book is for you. What does missions work take? This book will give you the insight to answer that question. And if you happen to be in missions, you will get so much encouragement from the stories listed in here. It is a definite must read.

[Elizabeth]

the book was a very interesting book however written some 40 years ago and thus the style a bit antiquitated. But i very much wanted to read this book that i took from my father in law's shelf as i know he knew Isobel K. It took a while to finish it but i don't regret taking the time to do so

[Alyssa Hall]

This is the best book I’ve read all year. So inspiring and exciting to read of the work in Northern Thailand. So many familiar places to me. And incredible to read of the sacrifices made so that many could hear the gospel.

[Kelsey Jones]

This may be my favorite Isobel Kuhn book. I agree with those who say her writing is disjointed at times, but this is overshadowed in my opinion by the way she writes about our Lord. Her books have been life changing for me. I come away strengthened every time I read one of her books.

[Julie Martin]

Started out slowly, but then it really picked up. I so enjoyed her stories of making contact with the unreached tribes. Worth a read. By Searching was better, but I enjoy Ms. Kuhn's style of writing.

[Beka]

Wonderfully encouraging with lots of interesting anecdotes.

[Bo]

This book was a blessing and challenge to read. I came away with several impressions, as well as food for thought.

1. So few of us really know what it is like to give our all to the Lord.
2. Parallel thought - we value our comforts too highly.
3. Where are the men? (and this is an acknowledged question in the book as well)
4. Church planting has its setbacks no matter where you go in this world....
5. But, oh, the joy when you see someone come to Christ and stay true to Him.

Further comments on the book:

A map or maps would have been helpful. The last section is progress reports on various areas of ministry in 1980. That is dated now, but also a bit difficult to keep track of all the places. Again, a map would have been helpful.

Caveat: C. S. Lewis referenced a number of times.

A quote:
"Of course, there will be hard places. What of it? To choose ease rather than effort is to choose slow decay."
And perhaps that sums up the difference between the group of pioneers in this book and most of us today.

[Ken]

I read the original edition, published by Moody Press in 1956. John & Isobel Kuhn were veteran missionaries among the Lisu people-group of Yunnan Province, China, until forced to leave when the Nationalist government fell. They relocated to northern Thailand and continued their work among the Lisu and other minority people-groups there. Since we are currently partnering with some of these people-groups, the book stirred my heart as I learned some of the early history of the tribal church and how God had worked among them in the 1950's. I am also humbled at the faith and dedication evidenced by these early missionaries. "Belle" Kuhn was promoted to glory in 1957 after a battle with cancer.

[Lauren]

Isobel Kuhn is the mother of my Brother-in-Law Dan. I was intrigued by Dan's stories of being born and living in China and Thailand as a boy and his story of the trip to leave China. Although I am not a religious person, I find Isobel Kuhn's description of the region and peoples fascinating. Regardless of your beliefs, it was a gutsy thing to do--heading out to a remote corner of the world and living in small villages. Very interesting.

[Susie]

At times I felt like I was reading more of a journal style of writing which in some ways heightened my enjoyment and in other ways made the story feel a bit disjointed. However, I enjoyed the book, loved the personal style of the stories, and gained spiritual insights as she shared some of the important principles behind their missionary work in Thailand.

[Rachel L.]

Good stuff. :)

[Mary]

Amazing missionary story!! What passion! What deal!!