Steer has pulled together key events, character traits and spiritual principles that formed the pioneer missionary and founder of OMF. This is a very readable account of Taylor`s life, his losses and the God who provided for him.

"Much of the spiritual teaching one hears does not seem to work. But I found that the Cross of Jesus Christ worked. I felt like a man perishing of thirst, to whom some beautiful, clear cold water had begun to flow ... I had so much to learn! It seemed as if God was saying: 'You are crying to me to do a big work among the Lisu; I am wanting to do a big work in you yourself.'" James Fraser was only 22 years old when he abandoned a promising engineering career and went to China. At first sight of the Lisu tribespeople of Yunnan province he felt an immediate affection for them. For the rest of his life, he traveled on horseback over rugged mountains, laboring to bring the Lisu the good news of Christ. Packed with personal letters, insightful anecdotes, and riveting stories of missionary life in China, this superb biography by his daughter shines with God's constant faithfulness and power over evil.

'The country is coming under increasing pressure from Communist guerrillas. They creep out of their hiding-places in the jungle to de-rail trains, burn buses, overturn lorries, and disrupt life, causing widespread suffering and bloodshed. Rubber trees are slashed with knives and precious latex lost, striking a severe blow at the economy of the country.' This was Malaya in 1948.

As Communists gained control of China, OMF was forced to leave the work Hudson Taylor had started and take on new challenges, Malaya being one. As communist powers encroached on that nation to, the situation became increasingly unstable. Elizabeth Goldsmith writes an inspiring account of God's work through a seemingly impossible situation.

An encouragement for all Christian's facing trials and uncertainties but clinging to God's sovereignity.

What frightened Mei most was that when her husband, Han, was angry, he exercised no restraint. With one hand, he would hold her hands behind her back and with the other, he would pound her, punching ruthlessly.

One day Han took Mei to a bar. 'Stay and work here today. I'll come back later and get you,' he said. Mei worked as usual, serving drinks, but when one customer wanted more, she went straight to her manager. She hadn't agreed to anything like that. But the manager was unrelenting. 'You must do it!' he ordered.

Mei, like many of Taiwan's working class, was entangled in abuse, addiction and idol worship. Her life seemed hopeless, with no way out. Could anyone save her?

As Mei lay in bed, a cool breeze swept over her. There was no window or fan, but by now she was used to such strange occurrences. The breeze blew into her and she started to tremble.

'Go to the top of the house.'

At the sound of the voice, the spirits that usually surrounded Mei scattered. She shuffled to the roof.

'Hold out your hands.'

Mei extended her arms, her body forming the shape of a cross. Two beams of light came down and touched her hands.

'I am huo shen, the fire God,' Mei thought she heard. Years would pass before she realised what had really been said - the difference lying in two typically insignificant Chinese characters -'I am huo zhe de shen, the living God.'

ISBN 978-0-8254-6158-3,   432 pages