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Laura's Children: the Hidden Story of a Chinese Orphanage
Laura Richards was a shy American farm girl who moved to a remote North China village in 1929 to take in castaway babies. She had no visible means of support, yet despite famines, bandit invasions, and wars, she saved the lives of nearly 200 destitute children. What was her secret supply? An honest look at both the miraculous and the messy sides of a life of faith
- GenresNonfictionHistory
390 pages, Paperback
First published April 2, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 11, 2012
What an incredible story of a missionary living in China who felt called to open an orphanage completely supported through the good will of others. Laura Richards never asked for donations by relied on answered prayers to provide for her and her children, and so many miracles occured in her answered prayers. She never turned a child away and cared for many babies and disabled children. The children were given love, medical care and an education, some going on to attend universities. Laura's servents attitude is reminiscent of Mother Theresa. This book was especially meaningful as it is written about someone who grew up in the area I now live. Inspiring!
September 22, 2023
Laura, a tender hearted girl lost her loving mother when she was 9. She assumed her mother's job of cooking, cleaning and mending for several years until her father remarried. Her stepmother was a taskmaster who viewed her stepchildren as obligations. Laura learned strict discipline and attention to doing each task with excellence. Her faith in God, and her upbringing prepared her well to be a nurse, to endure the hardship and suffering of nursing in France in WW 1, to become a missionary nurse in China for several years, and to found an orphanage, Canaan House, for throw away children in 1932.
This is an astonishing love story, of a woman who was mother to around 200 children nobody wanted, but God and her. Their story sheds light on the economic and polical environment in China in the 30's and 40's and just how miraculous it was for Canaan House to survive.
This is an astonishing love story, of a woman who was mother to around 200 children nobody wanted, but God and her. Their story sheds light on the economic and polical environment in China in the 30's and 40's and just how miraculous it was for Canaan House to survive.
November 1, 2010
Laura's Children: The Hidden Story of a Chinese Orphanage is the true story of Laura Richard. Laura was an an American farm girl who became a registered nurse, served in World War I and then joined a missionary team in China in 1921. She task was to run a school for nurses at a hospital for women for nearly five years. She then took a furlough to study Bible in New York and was away from China for 2 years due to unrest. It was during this time that she felt called by God to depend solely on Him for financial support but didn't yet know how to accomplish this task.
Unsure of what to do next, Laura returned to China with the Presbyterian Mission and discovered that the hospital was able to be self-sufficient during her absence. She then went on a medical mission into the countryside with a Chinese female doctor. It was during this time, that she discovered so many orphans and felt called by God to care for them - it was her own childhood that drew her to these children; Laura's mother had died when she was 9 year old.
In 1929 Laura decided to go by faith alone. She decided to leave the Presbyterian Mission, stop drawing a salary and start an orphanage in a remote village in north China. In addition, she would never ask for anything for her mission. She relied solely on prayer. When something was needed, she turned to God in prayer and through others He provided for her needs as well as those of the hundreds of orphans in her care.
Laura's story is one of faith and trust in God as well as giving insight into Chinese history during a time of turmoil and unrest. It's a story of miracles and answered prayers. It's a story to be read by Christians to understand how one women relied on God and saved many lives in doing so.
Unsure of what to do next, Laura returned to China with the Presbyterian Mission and discovered that the hospital was able to be self-sufficient during her absence. She then went on a medical mission into the countryside with a Chinese female doctor. It was during this time, that she discovered so many orphans and felt called by God to care for them - it was her own childhood that drew her to these children; Laura's mother had died when she was 9 year old.
In 1929 Laura decided to go by faith alone. She decided to leave the Presbyterian Mission, stop drawing a salary and start an orphanage in a remote village in north China. In addition, she would never ask for anything for her mission. She relied solely on prayer. When something was needed, she turned to God in prayer and through others He provided for her needs as well as those of the hundreds of orphans in her care.
Laura's story is one of faith and trust in God as well as giving insight into Chinese history during a time of turmoil and unrest. It's a story of miracles and answered prayers. It's a story to be read by Christians to understand how one women relied on God and saved many lives in doing so.
October 19, 2019
A very well written book based on actual, incredible events. The story of a young woman of tremendous faith and dedication who adopts and cares for discarded children during China’s cultural Revolution. Written by a family member who was able to discover firsthand writings and also research back through generations. The author uncovered the many ways God protected and provided for Laura Richards and the children which became her very own constant concern.
After meeting the author and receiving generous mentoring from her during The Colorado Christian Writers Conference, I delved into the book to learn more about writing a family memoir. What I admire most about this book is how well it was written, edited and completed after being a ‘dream’ in the author’s heart. To have such a beautifully accomplished book which is compelling, historically interesting and faith building for the modern reader. It truly inspired me. I love the inclusion of many photos, and the author’s notes throughout which bridge the historical gap. This well told story reads as easily as fiction while it contains a bounty of ‘facts’ to satisfy the natural curiosity which builds for more information about these special people and the difficult and oppressive circumstances they found themselves needing to survive.
Of course Becky Powers wrote this book about her relative, a Missionary to China; if was a story that NEEDED to be told !
After meeting the author and receiving generous mentoring from her during The Colorado Christian Writers Conference, I delved into the book to learn more about writing a family memoir. What I admire most about this book is how well it was written, edited and completed after being a ‘dream’ in the author’s heart. To have such a beautifully accomplished book which is compelling, historically interesting and faith building for the modern reader. It truly inspired me. I love the inclusion of many photos, and the author’s notes throughout which bridge the historical gap. This well told story reads as easily as fiction while it contains a bounty of ‘facts’ to satisfy the natural curiosity which builds for more information about these special people and the difficult and oppressive circumstances they found themselves needing to survive.
Of course Becky Powers wrote this book about her relative, a Missionary to China; if was a story that NEEDED to be told !
November 8, 2012
I enjoyed so much reading the incredible story of Laura Richards' great faith, and her heart for Chinese orphans. Because of her faithfulness, many poor children lived long lives who would have died in infancy. I think Becky did a good job of presenting a very emotional story in a clear, unemotional style. It was hard to read about all that happened after the communists took over China, but it is inspiring that in the midst of great suffering, many of Laura's children remained faithful to Christ and helped to build the flourishing Chinese church that exists today.
May 9, 2012
Cousin Laura's story is incredible, in the truest sense of the word -- simply unbelievable. It's also an uplifting story. The writing isn't that great, and the constant miracles and god-ness really puts my teeth on edge, but the story itself makes the reading worthwhile. Great to read if you need to feel good about people.
May 2, 2011
Incredible story, though not the most elegantly written book.
June 28, 2013
very interesting true story of an American missionary nurse who starts a Chinese orphanage in China. amazing lady . worth the time to read
April 4, 2015
second reading for book club was May, 2012
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews