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An Open Door: A True Story of Courage in Congo
I was aware of a slight unease. In all my years at the hospital, I had never had a hoax call. Suddenly out of the darkness ran two masked figures in camouflage clothing pointing something shaped like a gun, covered in leaves. You won t scare me. You won t get the better of me. flashed through my mind as I reached out to grab the weapon ... When twenty-five-year-old Maud Kells gave up her home in Ireland to replace martyred missionaries in Congo she was acutely aware of the risk she was taking. Despite the state of the war-torn country, her own reserved nature and the objections of her family, she chose to follow the God who promised I am with you. That is all you need. This is the remarkable story of an ordinary woman who decided to walk through the door God opened for her, whatever the cost.
272 pages, Hardcover
Published May 7, 2019
11 people are currently reading
107 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
July 7, 2019
I loved this book! There is no end to the number of books available to us today. But there most definitely is a limit to the amount of time I have to read. I am so very grateful for good books like this one that encourage me to have a closer walk with Jesus and to spend my days serving Him.
Maud Kells is such a great example of someone who has the right perspective on life . She glorifies God and tells others how they can be saved and glorify Him too.
One example which seems to exemplify her life:
Someone asked her, “‘If your God is such a wonderful God, then why does He allow such a thing to happen to you?’ My reply was clear: ‘Just as God was with Daniel in the lions’ den, so He preserved my life in the face of that attack. He is more powerful than lions or bandits. ... I feel that it has been a privilege to be in the lions’ den. ... God knew what was happening and He is still in control.’ ... assurance of God’s sovereignty has held me firm through good times and bad.’”
Maud Kells is such a great example of someone who has the right perspective on life . She glorifies God and tells others how they can be saved and glorify Him too.
One example which seems to exemplify her life:
Someone asked her, “‘If your God is such a wonderful God, then why does He allow such a thing to happen to you?’ My reply was clear: ‘Just as God was with Daniel in the lions’ den, so He preserved my life in the face of that attack. He is more powerful than lions or bandits. ... I feel that it has been a privilege to be in the lions’ den. ... God knew what was happening and He is still in control.’ ... assurance of God’s sovereignty has held me firm through good times and bad.’”
January 29, 2020
Entertaining account of a quite incredible life lived in the service of Jesus. Maud Kells is an indomitable character, and showed it in the way she dealt with the variety of events she faced - civil war, disease, death of colleagues, and being shot. What comes over is her overwhelming love of Jesus and desire to serve him. Read and be inspired.
August 15, 2022
I love reading stories of lives lived for the gospel and this one was no different! Maud faithfully dedicated her life to missionary service in Congo and her story was inspiring to read. An easy read and a page turner.
July 30, 2021
In 1964, Maud Kells felt the Lord was calling her to the Congo. That wasn’t a safe or comfortable choice. The country was experiencing significant unrest, which had led to several missionaries being martyred. The situation later settled enough for her to enter the Congo, but her decades of service were marked by civil war, emergency evacuations, and uncertainty. Yet, as this memoir shows, Maud Kells had an unwavering commitment to the work the Lord had given her, and a confidence that he was ultimately in control.
Her story repeatedly displays the reality of Genesis 50:20 - God working through bad situations to bring good. The opportunities that followed from her being shot are the most dramatic example! But also the ways that her stolen possessions taught her, and fellow Christians, about what really mattered. And the way that she led her parents to know Jesus during a period of apparent disruption in her missionary work.
Another encouraging theme is seeing how the Lord remains faithful to his church through all of the changing travel plans and to-ing and fro-ing. This is something that Maud Kells herself grew to learn more and more: “Each time I left the country, I continued to learn faith that He would care for those I left behind and that He would accomplish His purpose and build His church.”
Despite the dramatic events, this isn’t the most gripping missionary biography. I think part of the reason for that is the sometimes excessive detail about places and organisations and events - things that would be great to know if you knew Maud Kells personally, but I haven’t yet had the privilege of meeting her! I also have questions about some of the approaches to guidance and God’s will found in this book, but her dedication to the Lord’s work is undeniable. The overall result is an inspiring story of a good and faithful servant and her great and faithful God.
Her story repeatedly displays the reality of Genesis 50:20 - God working through bad situations to bring good. The opportunities that followed from her being shot are the most dramatic example! But also the ways that her stolen possessions taught her, and fellow Christians, about what really mattered. And the way that she led her parents to know Jesus during a period of apparent disruption in her missionary work.
Another encouraging theme is seeing how the Lord remains faithful to his church through all of the changing travel plans and to-ing and fro-ing. This is something that Maud Kells herself grew to learn more and more: “Each time I left the country, I continued to learn faith that He would care for those I left behind and that He would accomplish His purpose and build His church.”
Despite the dramatic events, this isn’t the most gripping missionary biography. I think part of the reason for that is the sometimes excessive detail about places and organisations and events - things that would be great to know if you knew Maud Kells personally, but I haven’t yet had the privilege of meeting her! I also have questions about some of the approaches to guidance and God’s will found in this book, but her dedication to the Lord’s work is undeniable. The overall result is an inspiring story of a good and faithful servant and her great and faithful God.
January 31, 2021
I hadn't heard of missionary Maud Kells before I read her autobiography, which starts with an account of a horrific attack in which she was shot while doing mission service out in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The book then flashes back to her childhood, and how she decided, through opening her Bible, that God was calling her to be a missionary, and of her service in Africa, working in a hospital and helping to spread the Word of God. Throughout her time there, there was also a large amount of political unrest, and so the book has many stories of her having to be evacuated for her own safety.
I found this very encouraging, with her confidence about God's protection of her throughout her service, despite the fact that she seemed to be constantly having accidents and getting ill (she seemed to compare herself to Job at one point), and how God is in control is in control of every situation, and how He uses everything, however bad, to further the Gospel; there was a touching account of how she ended up staying at home in Ireland for longer than planned, and ended up converting her father to Christianity shortly before he died. There was also an account of how one of the other Christians spread the Gospel in prison after being falsely arrested, much like the apostle Paul of Tarsus.
This was an easy book to get into because of the straightforward narrative style, so I was able to get through it relatively quickly; definitely a recommended book.
The book then flashes back to her childhood, and how she decided, through opening her Bible, that God was calling her to be a missionary, and of her service in Africa, working in a hospital and helping to spread the Word of God. Throughout her time there, there was also a large amount of political unrest, and so the book has many stories of her having to be evacuated for her own safety.
I found this very encouraging, with her confidence about God's protection of her throughout her service, despite the fact that she seemed to be constantly having accidents and getting ill (she seemed to compare herself to Job at one point), and how God is in control is in control of every situation, and how He uses everything, however bad, to further the Gospel; there was a touching account of how she ended up staying at home in Ireland for longer than planned, and ended up converting her father to Christianity shortly before he died. There was also an account of how one of the other Christians spread the Gospel in prison after being falsely arrested, much like the apostle Paul of Tarsus.
This was an easy book to get into because of the straightforward narrative style, so I was able to get through it relatively quickly; definitely a recommended book.
May 1, 2023
This review is 100% my own opinion!
I do find it difficult to rate non-fiction books, especially books which are autobiographical in nature.
I found An Open Door an easy book to read and I found Maud’s story very inspirational - particularly how God’s hand was at work during challenges faced when she was working as a missionary and nurse in Congo. It really opened my eyes to the impact of war, political instability and public health on the people.
It was amazing how God worked through Maud to spread the gospel message and help as many people come to faith as she could (both in Congo and in her birthplace, Northern Ireland), whilst helping them with practical matters such as building schools and hospitals and assisting on the maternity wards.
I did find it a little hard to keep up with all the different people Maud came into contact with over the years, but it just shows how big an impact she had and how far her help reached.
Definitely an inspirational and encouraging book to read - it really opened my eyes to the power of God in our lives. It was difficult to read at times with some upsetting/difficult scenes but the language was easy to follow and still really had an impact on me. Definitely recommend this book! ☺️
(I don’t own a physical copy of this book - I borrowed it from my mum).
I do find it difficult to rate non-fiction books, especially books which are autobiographical in nature.
I found An Open Door an easy book to read and I found Maud’s story very inspirational - particularly how God’s hand was at work during challenges faced when she was working as a missionary and nurse in Congo. It really opened my eyes to the impact of war, political instability and public health on the people.
It was amazing how God worked through Maud to spread the gospel message and help as many people come to faith as she could (both in Congo and in her birthplace, Northern Ireland), whilst helping them with practical matters such as building schools and hospitals and assisting on the maternity wards.
I did find it a little hard to keep up with all the different people Maud came into contact with over the years, but it just shows how big an impact she had and how far her help reached.
Definitely an inspirational and encouraging book to read - it really opened my eyes to the power of God in our lives. It was difficult to read at times with some upsetting/difficult scenes but the language was easy to follow and still really had an impact on me. Definitely recommend this book! ☺️
(I don’t own a physical copy of this book - I borrowed it from my mum).
July 1, 2025
An Open Door is an inspiring biography telling the story of Maud Kells, a missionary who set out from Northern Ireland to serve faithfully in the Democratic Republic of Congo for over 50 years. Maud shares her journey of obedience to God’s call, even in the face of danger, hardship, and personal sacrifice.
The book tells of God’s provision and protection, from her worst fear – rats! – to the traumatic event when she was shot by armed intruders in 2015—a moment that only deepened her resolve to continue her mission. She chose to follow the God who promised, ‘I am with you.’ through any door He opened for her.
Her life is a compelling example of what it means to live with purpose and trust in God’s plan. This book would be a great read for anyone seeking encouragement, spiritual insight, or a reminder of the impact one life can have when lived in service to others.
I had the great pleasure of interviewing Maud before her 80th birthday, and she is as wonderful in real life as she is in the book, and she really did fear rats above everything!
An incredible woman of God, now with the Lord.
The book tells of God’s provision and protection, from her worst fear – rats! – to the traumatic event when she was shot by armed intruders in 2015—a moment that only deepened her resolve to continue her mission. She chose to follow the God who promised, ‘I am with you.’ through any door He opened for her.
Her life is a compelling example of what it means to live with purpose and trust in God’s plan. This book would be a great read for anyone seeking encouragement, spiritual insight, or a reminder of the impact one life can have when lived in service to others.
I had the great pleasure of interviewing Maud before her 80th birthday, and she is as wonderful in real life as she is in the book, and she really did fear rats above everything!
An incredible woman of God, now with the Lord.
May 13, 2019
The story of Maud Kells, who, after hearing about the deaths of missionaries in the Congo, took up the call and followed God's lead from Northern Ireland, into the jungle! Taking on roles of nurse, builder and Bible teacher, Maud saw a doctor's office, maternity ward and homes for the lepers built: she saw many come to know Jesus and many healed as she brought in medicines. Despite many different trials, exhaustion, sickness, robbery, evacuation (due to war) and many other difficulties, Maud never gave up. This is quite the testimony to God's faithfulness and her obedient perseverance.
August 17, 2019
A personal, historical and exciting story depicting true discipleship - taking up ones cross and following the call of God no matter the fears and doubts one is facing - because looking on who He is becomes all that matters. And how God provides, leads, forgives, strengthens, and opens doors at just the right time. He is all powerful, and He is most magnified in us when we are depending on Him alone.
If you are interested in discipleship, mission, the DR Congo or even being a nurse or working in health care, this could be a goodread for you.
If you are interested in discipleship, mission, the DR Congo or even being a nurse or working in health care, this could be a goodread for you.
October 5, 2019
Maud Kells trained as a midwife then served in the DR Congo for over 50 as a Christian missionary. She spent much of that time as the only English speaking person in a remote village in the forest. Building a hospital, school, church and house, literally making 2 bricks at a time from mud collected from any hills. A remarkably brave lady who loved the villagers she served and saved hundreds of lives in the process before being shot. Incredibly she survived and returned to the village to finish the work she had started.
February 25, 2020
An inspiring woman to read about, and a wonderful testimony of God's grace. In a few parts, I could have done with more political, geographic or cultural background, and I felt in part there were hints of an us-them attitude to the writing (although this may be a reflection of the time the work was done). Jean Gibson has done a lovely job writing up the story.
April 21, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. It is an easy read, full of stories about a faithful woman's life. I love that she admits her weaknesses and sharing how following the Lord is as simple as making the next choice even when plans don't go how we expect. It was encouraging, uplifting and humorous (being a missionary with a fear of rodents, I relate too much at times).
September 18, 2024
An Open Door is a fantastic missions autobiography that traces the life and ministry of a women of great faith and courage. Maud Kells saw God lead and answer prayer in amazing ways as she, a medical missionary, ministered in Congo during both wartime and peace. I wouldn't call this a "must read", but if you want an engaging missionary biography that will build your faith, this is a good one.
January 28, 2020
Loved this book, wonderful description of the life and work of Maud Kells, who lived as a medical missionary in DRC. Demonstrates amazing faith and trust in God, and an incredibly self sacrificial attitude towards her own life, time, talents and money.
March 9, 2020
What am amazing read. I couldn't put it down. What a great reminder that when we are going through tough times God is always with us, working everything out for his good work. I think every Christian should read this book.
August 23, 2021
An encouraging book, which seeks to promote Christ and tell of His goodness. It was a nice read, but I felt it jumped around a little, with no clear storyline or theme that continued throughout. It was nice to read about a missionary less well-known than those the biographies are often about.
December 30, 2022
Having lived in Uganda where my husband was a MAF pilot, we knew of Maud and others of our MAF team are mentioned in the book that worked with her. I love to read books by those that give themselves so sacrifially to others for the growth of the gospel.
July 7, 2019
I was given this book by my mum and read it in one days. This is a remarkable yet humble god fearing woman and this is truly inspiring. Well worth reading
September 2, 2019
such an amazing testimony to her work in the Congo and of perseverence despite many setbacks.
January 15, 2020
Sacrificial ministry in appalling circumstances. The Democratic Republic of Congo still fits Conrad's description 'The Heart of Darkness' - but the Church is being added to by our Sovereign God.
February 28, 2020
Really inspiring! It put my focus right back towards Jesus and His sacrifice for me.
March 10, 2020
Made me laugh and cry. What an amazing woman.
May 29, 2020
An interesting and easily-read account of a remarkable lady and her work for the Lord in the Congo.
July 26, 2020
This book is very well written and opens your mind to the challenges and joys of working in Congo. I think this is one of my new favourites!
January 14, 2022
A life lived in full surrender for others and the Gospel.
July 20, 2022
I enjoy missionary biographies and especially this one from Northern Ireland!
December 24, 2022
May the Lord raise up many with the same courage and faith as Maud Kells.
March 31, 2024
I really enjoyed this book about the life of missionary Maud Kells, told in her own words. Inspiring and simple to read, with a great message of taking the word out in all situations.
April 25, 2024
What a woman😍
April 15, 2025
the most amazing story of how God is truly sovereign!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews