George Hunter: Apostle of Turkestan

by Mildred Cable, Francesca French

George Hunter’s life was one of unflinching devotion and solitary courage. For nearly four decades he traversed the raw landscapes of Central Asia—through blinding blizzards, impassable mud, and scorching sands—carrying only the Gospel, a simple travel cart, and an unwavering faith. In partnership first with Percy Mather and later with fellow servants of Christ, Hunter learned the languages of nomadic tribes, brokered the exchange of rare Scriptures, and built humble homes of sun-dried brick in the heart of Urumqi. Even when political winds turned hostile, his hand-written journals and tireless journeys planted seeds that would bear spiritual fruit long after he departed.

Yet behind the legend of the “aged preacher of Urumtsi” was a man whose greatest strength lay in prayerful discipline and single-minded purpose.

Genres: History, China

Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1948

About the author

(Alice) Mildred Cable was a British Protestant Christian missionary in China, serving with the China Inland Mission. With her traveling companions Evangeline (Eva) French and Eva's younger sister Francesca, she traveled from Huozhou to Zhangye and settled in Jiuquan in 1923. Branching out from there they traveled extensively, giving away Bibles and Christian literature in Tibet, and Qinghai and Xinjiang provinces. After 1936, Cable and the French sisters were not able to return to Asia and retired to Dorset where they wrote about their experiences.

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

George Hunter was a difficult person. It's no wonder he wanted to be out there by himself. He was invited by a non believing magistrate to have dinner and the Chinese man invited a Catholic priest as well. So what does he do? George angrily says, "I won't eat with a Roman" stomps out. He was against Christmas decorations and celebrations. When he was building his house and Percy was building his, George really pushed Percy around. I guess Percy was a rather slight, retiring kind of guy and put up with George's bullying. I mean it was just the two of them for 12 years, not seeing any Caucasians for 12 years. The book is good, engaging. But I did not finish the book thinking, "What a godly man." He could tell the Gospel but I noted there was a not a lot of discipleship, helping people grow in the faith.

[Keren Lilley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love everything written by these amazing, unstoppable women! This is an intruiging life story of someone equally unstoppable, who commits his life to exploring and reaching terrain rarely reached by Westerners at the time (perhaps still today as well!) His dedication to share good news is well impressive, but I suspect he might be recognised today as being on the spectrum... reading of his severe frustrations over living or working with others and his amazing focus and drive... It's to the credit of those working around him that they recognised his strengths and accepted his differences. By not trying to make him conform, he was given free reign to make incredible journeys, learn numerous languages and share about his God with countless people groups. Fascinating, but slightly daunting!

[joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only for those interested in Central Asian history (and/or. perhaps, missionaries). George Hunt was, some could say, a fanatic; others could say a true man of God. However, his mission is seen, he was a truly remarkable person who was a part of history that will be forgotten shortly. His story is well told by Mildred Cable & Francesca French, who were, also, missionaries at the same period of time in Central Asia. I think that only another missionary could resonate with the things that drove George Hunter, mostly because parts of his personality appear to have been unyielding. However, most accounts those who encountered him out in the "middle-of-no-where" found him to be charitable, kindly and truly a man of God.