Gladys Aylward. Willing / obedient "I Wasn't First Choice For What I've Done In China" Gladys Aylward was born short in size and short in worldly status but what was lacking in height and social standing she made up for in determination and spirit. Born in London, in 1902, to a working-class family Gladys became a wealthy family's parlor maid at the age of 14. She trudged through this life of routine until one day after attending a church service a stranger confronted her with the message of salvation. Gladys, newly reconciled with God, began attending Young Life services and reading about the far-away land of China from books in the vast library of her employer. This birthed an unstoppable desire to go to China herself. Gladys applied with CIM as a candidate for China. On Oct. 15, 1932, Gladys left Liverpool Street Station by train to travel across Russia and eventually into Northern China. Gladys begin her missionary career in Yangcheng working with veteran missionary Jeannie Lawson.
History - Historic Figures: David Livingstone (1813 - 1873) Scott of the Antarctic BBC History. Captainscott2. Scott of Antarctic diary. Scott of Antarctic : letter to widow. On January 17th of 1912, following years of preparation, British explorer Capt. Robert Falcon Scott and his team reached the South Pole — an incredible feat that was quickly overshadowed upon arrival by the news that the race had already been won 33 days previous, by the Norwegians. Scott's team, demoralised and tired, soon began their ill-fated journey home.
Below: a heartbreaking letter from Scott, written over the course of several days as conditions worsened on the return journey, in which, fearing the worst, he bids farewell to his wife and two-year-old son. The bodies and possessions of Scott and his men were discovered on November 12th of 1912, eight months after their deaths. It is believed that the final three — Scott included — perished on March 29th. Transcript follows. (Source: Scott Polar Research Institute at Cambridge University; Image of Scott (centre) & his team, via Wikipedia.) Transcript. Florence Nightingale. Florence Nightingale is best known for her work at Scutari hospital, Turkey, during the Crimean War and then afterwards for her role in developing nursing as a profession. She is also known as 'the lady with the lamp' and this quotation relates to an article published about her in the Times newspaper on Thursday 8 February 1855, which reads: 'She is a "ministering angel" without any exaggeration in these hospitals, and as her slender form glides quietly along each corridor every poor fellow's face softens with gratitude at the sight of her.
When all the medical officers have retired for the night, and silence and darkness have settled down upon these miles of prostrate sick, she may be observed alone, with a little lamp in her hand, making her solitary rounds.' The mention of the miles of sick relates to contemporary reports that the wards at Scutari stretched for four miles. It took Florence and her nurses 13 days to reach Scutari. Glossary Alpaca : A glossy black woollen fabric Sources. Famous People BBC Schools.