The Christiana Tsai Memorial Guest Lodge pictured above honors one of the quartet of Christian ladies who deeded their property to AFC. Two of the suites in the Guest Lodge are named for the founders of AFC. I will have the first privilege of spending the weekend in the suite which honors my late husband Ted and myself.
The story behind the noted Chinese Christian lady whose life and witness is being commemorated is the author of the book below. It is a collection of all three of her books in one volume.
LONG AWAITED BOOK RELEASE!
I highly recommend this firsthand missionary biography as a cross-generational and cross-cultural page turner that is sure to appeal to readers of any age. It is Christiana Tsai's own account of faithful missionary work in China in the dawn period of preaching and witness involvement by Chinese believers themselves. Christiana was a noted pioneer in this endeavor, one of the first Chinese women to receive a Western education.
"But this isn't your book, Leona, is it? Your name isn't on the cover..."
No, and that is as it should be. It was my great joy and privilege to be her "ghost writer" to write what Christiana wanted to say in two of the three books in this new collection. How did that work? Christiana asked me to "write in her voice and style" as she recollected and shared what she wanted to convey to readers as her witness for the Lord. Because we wrote her books in English, Christiana's second language, they were only later translated into Chinese.
She was a loving but merciless and meticulous editor (perfectionist!) insisting that we literally "pray and weight" each sentence until she was satisfied that it was the best way to express it. I would bring her draft after draft for editing. Much of it still written in pre-computer days. That experience was invaluable to launch me into my own writing career.
No, and that is as it should be. It was my great joy and privilege to be her "ghost writer" to write what Christiana wanted to say in two of the three books in this new collection. How did that work? Christiana asked me to "write in her voice and style" as she recollected and shared what she wanted to convey to readers as her witness for the Lord. Because we wrote her books in English, Christiana's second language, they were only later translated into Chinese.
She was a loving but merciless and meticulous editor (perfectionist!) insisting that we literally "pray and weight" each sentence until she was satisfied that it was the best way to express it. I would bring her draft after draft for editing. Much of it still written in pre-computer days. That experience was invaluable to launch me into my own writing career.
The first book in this collection, the flagship book QUEEN OF THE DARK CHAMBER, chronicled her life from her birth in 1890 to 1949 when she fled the war and cahos in China with her lifelong friend and missionary, "China Mary" Leaman whom she called her godmother. Christiana lived the rest of her life in the historic Leaman homestead in Paradise, PA. Published in 1953, the first book was "as told to" Ellen Drummond, a missionary friend who knew Christiana and her family in China and witnessed many of the events firsthand.
Billy Graham personally recommended her book. "In her furnace of affliction Miss Tsai has discovered the secret of spiritual refining. In her dark chamber of infirmity she has found the Light of the world."
I assisted her in the writing of the second book in this collection, a chronological sequel, which the publisher simply titled CHRISTIANA TSAI. We worked in her darkened bedroom necessitated by her illness from malaria which confined her to bed for over fifty years. In this book she covered the exciting happenings from 1949 until her death in 1984 even while the drama of her life and far-reaching ministry was still unfolding.
Billy Graham personally recommended her book. "In her furnace of affliction Miss Tsai has discovered the secret of spiritual refining. In her dark chamber of infirmity she has found the Light of the world."
I assisted her in the writing of the second book in this collection, a chronological sequel, which the publisher simply titled CHRISTIANA TSAI. We worked in her darkened bedroom necessitated by her illness from malaria which confined her to bed for over fifty years. In this book she covered the exciting happenings from 1949 until her death in 1984 even while the drama of her life and far-reaching ministry was still unfolding.
It was at that time that the Leaman family and Christiana deeded their farmland property to AFC for their headquarters and expanding ministries on university campuses in North America and abroad.
In the third book in this collection, JEWELS FROM THE QUEEN, Christiana asked me to compile short illustrations from the many messages she preached from her bed as a pulpit. A flood of people from all over the world sought her out after they read her first book which was translated into dozens of languages and versions including Braille.
This book will touch your heart and inspire you to greater trust in God. Order copies for your family and friends and church library and recommend it to your book club.
Go to www.afcinc.org. Click on "Bookstore," proceed to "AFC Published items." Click on the cover pictured above. Click English or Chinese language. Follow ordering instructions.
I produced a CD on which I read aloud verbatim the first 8 pages of the above book as an "appetizer" introduction with interludes of Chinese music. You can follow along from pp. 177 to 219. I believe this will enhance your appreciation and jump-start you into Christiana's story as it unfolds. Order the CD from me by email: leonachoy@gmail.com. It is available for a donation of any amount to cover cost of production and postage. Make the check for my CD payable to me at P.O. Box 2697 Winchester, VA 22604. Or you can use your credit card via Paypal: paypal.me/LeonaChoy. Please provide your mailing address.
This book will touch your heart and inspire you to greater trust in God. Order copies for your family and friends and church library and recommend it to your book club.
ORDER THE BOOK DIRECTLY FROM THE PUBLISHER
Go to www.afcinc.org. Click on "Bookstore," proceed to "AFC Published items." Click on the cover pictured above. Click English or Chinese language. Follow ordering instructions.
HERE IS A BONUS!
I produced a CD on which I read aloud verbatim the first 8 pages of the above book as an "appetizer" introduction with interludes of Chinese music. You can follow along from pp. 177 to 219. I believe this will enhance your appreciation and jump-start you into Christiana's story as it unfolds. Order the CD from me by email: leonachoy@gmail.com. It is available for a donation of any amount to cover cost of production and postage. Make the check for my CD payable to me at P.O. Box 2697 Winchester, VA 22604. Or you can use your credit card via Paypal: paypal.me/LeonaChoy. Please provide your mailing address.
DON'T MISS THIS ADDITIONAL RESOURCE!
BUT NOW....
Through this DVD, "WALKING IN THE LIGHT," in virtual reality you can GO to Paradise, PA" and SEE Christiana, HEAR her voice, and enjoy a "You are there" authentic experience! Professionally produced and narrated in the Chinese language, (Not to worry--there are English subtitles) you will enter Christiana's life visually. Listen to her recorded voice as she invites you into her dark chamber and shares her life motto. Despite all of her adversities, limitations and prolonged illness, she never asked the Lord WHY He allowed them in her life, but asked "WHAT can I do for You, Lord?"
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