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Christian Heroes: Then & Now #35
Isobel Kuhn: On the Roof of the World
As a fourteen-year-old intent on living a “modern” life, the last thing Isobel Kuhn wanted to grow up to be was a missionary. But as it turned out, this young agnostic’s life was redirected―from crisis and doubt to hope and strength.
Convinced that God wanted her to preach the gospel as a China Inland missionary, Isobel bravely served among the Lisu people in remote mountainous regions of China and Thailand. After twenty years of ministry Isobel returned to the United States, writing stirring stories of faith and inspiring generations of readers (1901–1957).
Convinced that God wanted her to preach the gospel as a China Inland missionary, Isobel bravely served among the Lisu people in remote mountainous regions of China and Thailand. After twenty years of ministry Isobel returned to the United States, writing stirring stories of faith and inspiring generations of readers (1901–1957).
224 pages, Paperback
First published April 15, 2010
16 people are currently reading
377 people want to read
About the author
Janet Benge
175 books307 followersJanet and Geoff Benge are a husband and wife writing team with twenty years of writing experience. They are best known for the books in the two series Christian Heroes: Then & Now series and Heroes of History. Janet is a former elementary school teacher. Geoff holds a degree in history. Together they have a passion to make history come alive for a new generation. Originally from New Zealand, the Benges make their home in the Orlando, Florida, area.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
July 8, 2025
Isobel Kuhn and her husband were missionaries to a group of villagers in a remote mountainous area of western China. Isobel was the first white woman those people had ever seen. An educated woman from Canada with a delicate nature, she had to battle lice and fleas to live there. She spent over 20 years there teaching bible studies, beginning in the 1920s.
December 30, 2016
It's a surreal experience reading about heroes who have lived and worked in the area we are. I look at the CangShan mountains and realize that 80 years before John and Isobel Kuhn passed beneath those same slopes. They lived and ministered in "Old Town" Dali, where the church still stands and is used today. They spent several years in the Muslim community of YongPing (2 hours away) until they finally reached their primary field of service among the Lisu people...then 10 days of travel from Dali, but now only a 4 hour drive on the expressway.
This isn't a detailed biography and often you ran across broad sentences like: "then they mastered the Lisu language." There is a lot between the lines that is left out.
Nevertheless, it was good to hear how they took the torch from James Fraser and now so many of the Lisu people know the Most High God.
This isn't a detailed biography and often you ran across broad sentences like: "then they mastered the Lisu language." There is a lot between the lines that is left out.
Nevertheless, it was good to hear how they took the torch from James Fraser and now so many of the Lisu people know the Most High God.
May 4, 2020
Another Christian missionary biography. What a dedicated woman who went to a remote tribe in southern China, right near the border with Burma.
I read it in one afternoon.
I read it in one afternoon.
November 9, 2024
Just discovered this series and I love it!
November 11, 2022
I can't imagine myself living the life that she did, but neither did she!
August 9, 2022
"A noble life is not a blaze of sudden glory won but just an adding up of days in which good work is done." - a poem from Isobel Kuhn's grandmother.
This is the story of a Christian woman's life as a missionary to the far east. She and her husband endured a lot of hardship and sacrifices in their efforts to spread the Christian gospel among people groups who were isolated from hearing it. One tidbit I found interesting is that Isobel's mother was so adamantly opposed to her pursuing such a vocation and lifestyle that when she brought it up at the dinner table a couple of times as a teenager her mother exclaimed, "You'll be a missionary over my dead body!" Just as Isobel was about to embark on such a career in spite of her mother's objections, her mother died unexpectedly in surgery. Was there a connection there? One wonders.
This is the story of a Christian woman's life as a missionary to the far east. She and her husband endured a lot of hardship and sacrifices in their efforts to spread the Christian gospel among people groups who were isolated from hearing it. One tidbit I found interesting is that Isobel's mother was so adamantly opposed to her pursuing such a vocation and lifestyle that when she brought it up at the dinner table a couple of times as a teenager her mother exclaimed, "You'll be a missionary over my dead body!" Just as Isobel was about to embark on such a career in spite of her mother's objections, her mother died unexpectedly in surgery. Was there a connection there? One wonders.
February 23, 2025
Wow! While reading about the life of Isobel Kuhn, I was struck with how much many missionaries are willing to sacrifice for the work of the Gospel.
She spent months and years separated from her family, even her husband and children. I wonder if her ministry ever overlapped with Eric Liddel’s. He served in China during the same time period. Isobel’s daughter was interred in a Japanese war camp just like Liddel.
2025 A book about a woman missionary
She spent months and years separated from her family, even her husband and children. I wonder if her ministry ever overlapped with Eric Liddel’s. He served in China during the same time period. Isobel’s daughter was interred in a Japanese war camp just like Liddel.
2025 A book about a woman missionary
May 10, 2020
Born in Canada in the 1910s to a Christian but spiritually lukewarm family, Isobel Kuhn became apathetic and dissatisfied with her parents morals and beliefs, becoming a atheist at age 14 when her science teacher mocked for being the only person to raise her hand when he asked if anyone in here believed in God and creation. But, while at a female seminary under the influence of 2 lifelong spiritual friendships, she became a Christian and was soon on fire to become a missionary to China . But her mother refuses to let her be a missionary, saying she’ll only do that over her dead body! Find out how Isobel, along with her college sweetheart husband, eventually gets to become a Chinese missionary, ministering to Chinese tribes who had never heard the gospel or had the Bible in their own language. Learn how she risks her health, and safety in the mountains of China amid the backdrop of Japanese occupation in WW2, even sending her only child to the USA to boarding school for refuge in WW2’s early days!
February 15, 2019
Good book on the early life of Isobel all the way through her ministry. Inspiring to read of how God used her in spite of weakness, war, etc. Easy read. Good for it’s content, not necessarily as a literary work (which of course was not the purpose anyway.)
June 27, 2025
This was probably the weakest of the series that I've seen. The writing, of course, was fine. A few awkward phrases and words here and there, really more of a problem for reading the book aloud than anything else.
My problem was with Belle.
I was not impressed.
My problem was with Belle.
I was not impressed.
August 17, 2024
I have read some of her books but I had not read her biography. These biographies of people who lived and died 100 years ago always inspire me. What I liked about this book was that the authors really did show her as human with kind of a rebellious Spirit, frustrations, strong will. She lived a fascinating life and died at age 55 of cancer. Her daughter, Kathryn, was somehow repatriated out of the Chefoo internment camp When so many others were not. Maybe it was because she was Canadian.
When Belle as she was called was 50. She ended up going to Thailand because they had to leave China. She died 5 years later but she still was working hard and serving God in the end and ended up writing many of the books at that time.
I like this series and I'm going to see if there's more of them on hoopla because I listen to it while I was walking or riding my bike.
When Belle as she was called was 50. She ended up going to Thailand because they had to leave China. She died 5 years later but she still was working hard and serving God in the end and ended up writing many of the books at that time.
I like this series and I'm going to see if there's more of them on hoopla because I listen to it while I was walking or riding my bike.
March 12, 2024
We might need to take a break on these because I’m having a hard time keeping the details straight!
Another story of a woman who faced extraordinarily difficult odds and yet somehow survived and still progressed with sharing the gospel. This book was set in China and later in Thailand. The focus of their mission was the Lisu people group. Isobel’s perseverance and kindness in constant hardship, was inspiring!
As a teenager, Isobel read a poem by her grandmother. Her first impression was to reject the message of the poem, but her heart changed. She kept a copy of it with her and it is a nice summary of Isobel’s life:
“A noble life is not a blaze of sudden glory won,
but just an adding up of days in which good work is done.”
Another story of a woman who faced extraordinarily difficult odds and yet somehow survived and still progressed with sharing the gospel. This book was set in China and later in Thailand. The focus of their mission was the Lisu people group. Isobel’s perseverance and kindness in constant hardship, was inspiring!
As a teenager, Isobel read a poem by her grandmother. Her first impression was to reject the message of the poem, but her heart changed. She kept a copy of it with her and it is a nice summary of Isobel’s life:
“A noble life is not a blaze of sudden glory won,
but just an adding up of days in which good work is done.”
March 30, 2020
I picked this up as I was looking for an easy to read but inspirational little book. It's a children's book but I thoroughly enjoyed it and was definitely inspired by the life of this very brave missionary. Her tireless passion to reach the Lisu people of China was beautiful to read about. I found out in this book that she was an author herself so I'm planning to trying to read some of her books that she wrote about her life and missionary work.
May 26, 2021
This was an inspirational book about Isobel, who was an ambivalent Christian and an atheist for awhile. She went on to become a missionary in China with her husband, John. While I enjoyed learning about her life and how she reached the Lisu people, it was difficult to read that she had so little contact with her daughter while she was a missionary.
However, her daughter went on to be a missionary in Thailand for 40 years, so she must have understood the lifestyle.
However, her daughter went on to be a missionary in Thailand for 40 years, so she must have understood the lifestyle.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 7, 2022
Uma biografia leve e motivadora sobre a jovem que deixa o agnosticismo para se tornar missionária entre os Lisus na China.
"Deus, se houver um Deus, se tu me provares que existes, e se tu me deres paz, eu te darei toda a minha vida. Farei qualquer coisa que tu me pedires, irei a qualquer lugar que tu me enviares, pelo resto da minha vida"
"Isobel ficou chocada quando ouviu o conselho de Ruth: Quando você chegar à China, toda a escória de sua natureza virá à tona!"
"Deus, se houver um Deus, se tu me provares que existes, e se tu me deres paz, eu te darei toda a minha vida. Farei qualquer coisa que tu me pedires, irei a qualquer lugar que tu me enviares, pelo resto da minha vida"
"Isobel ficou chocada quando ouviu o conselho de Ruth: Quando você chegar à China, toda a escória de sua natureza virá à tona!"
March 26, 2023
I enjoyed listening to this book, which shares the story of Isobel Kuhn, a missionary to China. An easy-to-read and encouraging book, Isobel's life will inspire many to follow God's direction, which brings much more joy than a life of self-pursuit.
For all who enjoy missionary biographies and want inspiration in your faith-walk, this is a great place to start.
For all who enjoy missionary biographies and want inspiration in your faith-walk, this is a great place to start.
May 16, 2024
I admire Isobel very, very, much she endured so, so much it's crazy. and she is very inspiring. Thank god that there are people who will go into completly unfamiliar and sometimes hostile lands to share the gospel.
March 20, 2025
"I believe that in each generation God has called enough men and women to evangelize all the yet unreached tribes of the earth. It is not God who does not call. It is man who will not respond!" - Isobel Kuhn
August 30, 2025
Amazing book, the adventures and above all the love for the Luse people.
I found this book both inspiring and humbling. Isobel (Bel) Kuhn’s honesty about her struggles, doubts, and faith made her story very relatable, and her perseverance encouraged me in my own journey. A wonderful read!
I found this book both inspiring and humbling. Isobel (Bel) Kuhn’s honesty about her struggles, doubts, and faith made her story very relatable, and her perseverance encouraged me in my own journey. A wonderful read!
July 26, 2019
A beautiful story and one that still applies today. Highly recommend!
March 16, 2020
It's super truly inspirational! It's a really good book!
August 10, 2020
I was not familiar with John and Isobel Kuhn, missionaries to China, but this was a great read.
July 16, 2021
Really, really great. Following God even when your heart is broken and E doesn’t send you where you want to go.
June 22, 2022
This is a totally inspiring book! Talk about obstacles to your dream she seemed to hit them all but yet she hung on throughout it all and accomplished her dream.
Inspiring!
Inspiring!
February 4, 2023
Read this to my daughter for one of her classes. Wow, what an impressive woman!
June 6, 2023
Our whole family loves this series and this book about Isobel Kuhn was great. Lots to learn and discuss and be encouraged by.
November 27, 2023
Such a beautiful testimony of following the Lord! My faith was encouraged, and I was challenged to obey God without fear.
January 2, 2024
Incredibly inspiring and moving. What a testimony Isobel Kuhn has left to encourage us all in the work set before us.
June 7, 2024
One of my all time favorite people in history!!
July 2, 2024
Un hermoso libro sobre las misiones cristianas en China, con una mujer como protagonistas.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews