Troubled Journey: A Missionary Childhood in War-Torn China

by Faith Cook

Faith Cook shares her first-hand story of the trials faced by a child of missionary parents living in China during the turbulent period of the Second World War and the subsequent Communist takeover. While much has been written about the heroic achievements and sacrifices of many Christian missionaries to China, Troubled Journey introduces us to a side of the story that has rarely, if ever, been told. Many young people today have known much emotional deprivation early in life. This story of childhood in a war-torn country may well help them to reconcile their painful experiences with God s loving kindness and his purposes of grace for them. It may indeed encourage all who read it to appreciate in a new way the care and mercy of God, overruling even the tragedies of life and turning them to good for his people.

Genres: Biography, China, Christian, Nonfiction

128 pages, Paperback

First published October 30, 2004

About the author

Faith Cook was born in China, the daughter of OMF missionaries, and now lives in Derbyshire. She is married to Paul, who served as a pastor in churches in Northallerton, Shepshed and Hull. They have five children and ten grandchildren. She is also the author of Lives Turned Upside Down, The Nine-Day Queen of England, Our Hymn-writers and their Hymns, Seeing the Invisible and Under the Scaffold.

Reviews

[Claire Kaat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an MK’s memoir of growing up as a British kid in China during the Japanese invasion and the establishment of the PRC. Cook highlights her parent’s sacrifice but also gives an honest and insightful picture of the hardships it brought to her life and the distance it put between her family.

[Alison B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It did throw a different light on to the sacrifice that early missionaries and their children had to endure when they made the commitment to ‘Go into all the world and preach the Gospel’. As the daughter of missionary parents myself, I can fully understand the view points that were raised and the direction that they came from. Thank you to the author for not ‘dwelling’ bitterly or negatively on the decisions that were made on her behalf by her parents and the mission, even though they obviously and understandably shaped her life to a massive degree. Hindsight and being able to see the bigger picture is a God given blessing I am sure. Thankfully mission is conducted differently these days.

[Isaac · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a good book, because it’s a good life. Honestly, I found this book to be more a discouraging read than an encouraging one. I’m not sure if that reflects something about me or says something about the book – I guess it says something more about me. But some biographies one reads and feels greatly lifted and inspired. Coming to this book felt like I was coming to a place of sorrow every time I picked it up. It is a book with a Strong backbone of faith. As one other reviewer said, it’s an important read for missionaries in those supporting overseas missionaries. Probably required reading, because there are some very important lessons.

[Harry Lassche · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very lively and impressing picture of the author's youth as a Christian missionary's child in China. Especially moving was the report of the death of her two little brothers, one in China at the age of twelve months and the other one back in England at the age of seven. One can imagine the deep anxiety and distress of all the members of the family. Encouraging is the way Faith Cook describes her parents' faith and how she herself dealt with the fact that during her youth she was for many years separated from her parents.

[Brett Rudder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartbreaking and heavy, but full of the journey of growing in faith. Loved this.

[Kelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting account of children of missionaries in China. Thought provoking

[Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sobering, yet encouraging. Yes, I did shed a couple tears.

[Andrew Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book on life growing up as a missionary child in China, through some deeply troubled times. A personal account, in which God’s sufficiency shines through like a blazing sun.

[Phil Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Humbling account of Faith's family's life whilst the parents served Christ as missionaries during difficult times. Helpful reference to the promise of Psalm 91 and how comforting that became.

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lovely book, partly a biography of her parents' life as missionaries in China (and then Malaysia, although that wasn't covered so much), and partly her own story of being a child growing up separated from her missionary parents in China - and later England. I am very thankful that the assorted people we know who are missionaries now are not forced to send their children away to boarding school at the age of six, after reading of her distressing childhood. Of course, it probably wouldn't have been as distressing had there not been a war and political problems that necessitated the escapes. Overall, a very interesting little book, and quite short and easy to read as well.

[Allan Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed and was moved by this book; it brought out the bigger picture of the family realities of those who served with the China Inland Mission from the perspective of a child who lived through that era. Much of the literature on C.I.M. concentrates on the service, joys and tribulations of the missionaries or their congregations. This book shows that the children also had very different lives and challenges, including the isolation from parents in boarding schools.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

such an interesting book, especially if you read the authors biographies of others. Faith' s story is interesting, sad and God glorifying. A short and quick read.