Lillian Trasher’s story reminds me of Proverbs 16:9. “A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps. Seventeen years old and filled with the hope and zeal of youth, Lillian wanted to spread her wings and fly! She set out to pursue her dream of becoming a sketch artist for the Georgian Newspaper in Atlanta. While on the train she just “happens” to sit by a woman who ran the Faith Orphanage in North Carolina. As they chatted the woman offered Lillian a job as her assistant. Working in an orphanage, ridiculous! She was going to have a career with the newspaper! She politely listened and promised the woman she would remember her should things change.
After submitting her sketches to the art editor, who assured her there was a very good chance landing her dream job she left to return the next day. Through a series of events that were most unusual she was not hired. Seeing God’s hand in this disappointment, she headed for Faith Orphanage. There she served tirelessly not knowing God was teaching her many lessons and preparing her for His plan.
After 5 years she felt the Lord’s calling to the mission field, in Africa. Having no money and no church to support her was not a deterrent to this faith-filled woman. She trusted God and He furnished all her needs in incredible ways. It wasn’t long after she arrived at the mission house in Egypt; a dying baby was given to her. She was given the choice by the leaders of the mission house to return the baby (whose mother had died) or leave. This is when she learned there were no orphanages in Egypt and the baby would be thrown into the Nile.
With no money and no support once again, she left with the infant. You have to realize this country was a dangerous place for a woman alone. She didn’t even know the language! Once again she trusted God and as always He provided. This was just the beginning of His amazing care and provision for Lillian and the orphanage she established. She had many setbacks and serious problems throughout the years: no food, catastrophes, illness, no clothing for the children. Every time God was faithful to furnish whatever was needed. At the time of her death, she had lovingly cared for 10,000 children and widows. None of which could have been done without her obedience, faith and trust in God. This is an incredible story! Lillian reminded me of a cross between George Muller and Gladys Aylward!
I love Christian biographies. Learning about men and women who have given their lives to serve God is inspiring to me. Although this book is for readers 8 to 12 years of age, I encourage adults to read it too!
Thank you to YWAM Publishing for a providing this book for me to review. The opinions stated are my own. ( )