Desert Pilgrim

by Phyllis Thompson

The story of Mildred Cable's early 20th century Venture for God in Central Asia with two other female companions.

127 pages

Published January 1, 1957

About the author

Phyllis Thompson has a background in development education and Pastoral ministry in the UK. She is currently a member of the Church of God International General Board of Education, an Executive Council Member of the European Pentecostal Theological Association and a member of the leadership team of her local Church in Northampton, England. She has written on topics to do with Black Majority Churches, and women in Christian leadership. Recent publications include her contribution to Faith of our Fathers (Pathway Press 2009),Challenges of Black Pentecostal Leadership in the 21st Century (SPCK 2013) and Challenges of Pentecostal Theology in the 21st Century (SPCK 2020) the latter two for which she is the editor.

Reviews

[Wendi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mildred Cable, Eva French, and often Eva's younger sister Francesca, were part of the China inland mission movement. They traveled all over central Asia for years, evangelizing, helping with minor medical treatment (Mildred had a degree in pharmacology), and helping the poor. They adopted a deaf/mute girl who was abused. The treated a warlord known for brutality, they made friends with Muslim women, and visited cities not seen by Christian missionaries since the sixth century.
They worked in China for 36 years and returned to England (when the communist Chinese government kicked out all foreigners). There Mildred and one of the French sisters became prolific writers and speakers, and produced many books about their experiences. They were excellent writers.
PHyllis Thompson later wrote many missionary stories for children. This is one of them, written for an audience of probably 4-7 grade reading level. Recommended. I'll be looking for others by this author, as well as by Mildred Cable herself.
You can read more here: https://omf.org/us/the-trio-and-topsy/

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

“They learned a lot about the trade-routes across the desert which they themselves should travel later on; and the carters to whom they talked heard of another Way-the Way across the desert of life, which leads to an eternal city…Night after night, as the silent stars appeared in the rich, dark blue of the desert sky, Mildred would sit talking of a Good Shepherd, whose sheep are men. Some listened with interest, then went away and forgot. Some listened with contempt…But some listened wistfully, and went quietly back to their homes, a Gospel or a Scripture portion tucked out of sight in the folds of their gowns.”

“Coming softly but clearly over the open spaces of the desert was a song. It sounded as though it were being sung by vast, unseen choirs, all its harmonies and cadences intoned with perfect distinctness. She had heard the song many times before, but never sung like this. The words were familiar, but now they came with such strong soothing power that her nerves relaxed at last…she had often prayed as she sang the pilgrim song. They subsided now, the barren hills, the desolate wilderness, the lurking brigands, the merciless Thunderbolt, all faded from her mind. ‘The Lord is thy keeper. ... The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil…’ Mildred fell asleep.”

“Fame awaited Mildred Cable, though she did not know it. In the years that lay ahead she was to travel far and wide, to lands she had not yet visited, to proclaim the Message of the same Book which had been distributed so widely across the deserts of Central Asia. But all that was as yet veiled from her eyes. She now knew only the quiet satisfaction of one who can say, quite simply, ‘I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision.’ The pleading call from the deserts, heard years before, had been answered.”