Hungry River: A Yangtze Novel

“My dear, Lizzie, you and your child are in Almighty God’s hands, whether here in Shanghai or on the River, whether in life or death. What’s important is that we’re together and serving the Almighty.”  One of my favorite passages from, “The Hungry River,” by Millie N.S.

I first met Millie at a Christian Writer’s Conference along with a young beautiful author Jena in 2009, whose own memoir, “Hollow," was published by Moody last year. I had finished my last chemo treatment two days earlier and was only able to attend the one day.

For me it was a perfect day. As it was meant to be, I have become good friends with two women whom the Lord has taken the story of their lives and inspired them through the written word, to encourage and help others. I know we all have a story but believe me, not all stories are equal, helpful or intriguing.

I am currently reading a book~ a book club pick and honestly, I really don’t know how or why it was published.  I thought at first it was going to tell me a lot about the Mennonites because she happened to be raised in the Mennonite faith. Wrong. It is such a struggle to read. But I enjoy the company of my book club friends, I enjoy the food and I get through it,

An agent friend, Diana, once wrote how it disheartened her to see so many great stories not getting published when the likes of some books (that make us shake our heads and say, “really,”) grace the shelves of our bookstores, internet, and television.

I couldn’t put Hungry River down.  I am not a reviewer and if you go to Amazon.com, her first review captures the book in far better detail than I could.  http://www.amazon.com/Hungry-River-Yangtze-Millie-N-S/dp/1591967422/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1301415311&sr=1-1

It tells of Millie’s grandparents and how they met, truly a love story. A calling to be missionaries in China in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s in the midst of the Boxer Rebellion. The binding of women’s feet, killing of baby girls and bodies floating down the river. 

The story begins with snippets of Abbie’s present day journal, after “Abbie goes through and sorts out her China boxes ~ boxes that held her family’s old journals and letters.”  “Hungry River” takes you from 1864 to 1931 and the sequels, which  I’m looking forward too; “Dragon Wall,” from 1933 to 1958 and “Jade Cross,” from 1967-2008..

Besides the history of China in that time period and falling in love with the characters, “Hunger River,” left me with an appreciation, a deep caring and amazement in my heart for those who are called to the mission field in foreign countries. To leave all the comforts of home, and all their families to share the gospel of Christ to often hostile people, risking their lives and the lives of their children, I am in awe.

There is a sign that many churches have as you leave the premises. There was such a sign in the older church at First Baptist in Morris, that I read every time I left; “You are now entering the mission field.”  I know we are not all called to leave our families and go to foreign lands to share the gospel but we are as Christians all called to give a cup of cold water and proclaim the gospel of Christ.

I Corinthians 7:17 “But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk.”