Lee P. (copiousreader) reviewed Giants Walked Among Us: The Story of Paul and Ina Bartel (The Jaffray Collection of Missionary Portraits, 28) on
Paul and Ina Bartel loved China and loved the Chinese which was natural, for their parents on both sides were also missionaries to China. The lot of pioneer missionaries in early 20th -century China was grim. Ragtag bandit bands constantly clashed with undisciplined soldiers. Blood flowed. Bullets flew. But that did not deter Paul and Ina.
Sickness and hostility plagued the Bartel family as they settled into the town of Lungtan. Reaching people for Jesus was anything but plenteous -- until their baby daughter succumbed to amoebic dysentery. It seemed that when the lid of that tiny casket closed, the door to the hearts of the people opened. Within weeks, a powerful bandit chief and his extended family committed themselves to Christ.
But that was just the beginning. Marked by incredible commitment, relentless vision and godly grace, the influence of Paul and Ina Bartel continues to reach the worldwide community of their beloved Chinese.
This biography is inspiring to read.
When visiting Berne, Switzerland in 1960 Paul and Ina asked to search the archives for the record of the Birkey family. After looking the clerk reported that he would have to go to the criminal records for that information. Wondering what black marks had been charged against the family, Paul opened to old oblong parchment book and saw that one Birkey had been deported three times but had always managed to make his way back into Switzerland. What crime? He had preached "salvation by faith alone", the record showed.
Sickness and hostility plagued the Bartel family as they settled into the town of Lungtan. Reaching people for Jesus was anything but plenteous -- until their baby daughter succumbed to amoebic dysentery. It seemed that when the lid of that tiny casket closed, the door to the hearts of the people opened. Within weeks, a powerful bandit chief and his extended family committed themselves to Christ.
But that was just the beginning. Marked by incredible commitment, relentless vision and godly grace, the influence of Paul and Ina Bartel continues to reach the worldwide community of their beloved Chinese.
This biography is inspiring to read.
When visiting Berne, Switzerland in 1960 Paul and Ina asked to search the archives for the record of the Birkey family. After looking the clerk reported that he would have to go to the criminal records for that information. Wondering what black marks had been charged against the family, Paul opened to old oblong parchment book and saw that one Birkey had been deported three times but had always managed to make his way back into Switzerland. What crime? He had preached "salvation by faith alone", the record showed.
