She was very popular at the University of British Columbia: effervescent, attractive, and intelligent. Yet Isobel (Belle) Miller found herself standing at the medicine cabinet in her parents’ home, ready to swallow poison.
Life had become meaningless, her spirit restless. To make matters worse, her fiancé was seeing another girl. Belle didn’t turn to God, having brushed aside her Christian upbringing when a professor insisted Christianity was for the superstitious.
She heard her father’s snuffling snore from the next room. If he found her dead, Belle knew it would break his heart. She returned to her room.
Suddenly, a line from Dante came to mind: “In His will is our peace.”
Belle prayed, “God, if you prove to me that you are, and if you will give me peace, I will give you my whole life”[1]. She began a passionate search for God, truth, and purpose.
Following graduation in 1922, Belle taught school. During this time she heard J. O. Fraser speak about his ministry in China and the need for more missionaries. Belle wondered, Is this what you want me to do, God?
Fraser was staying with Belle’s family. She asked questions about missionary life and the China Inland Mission he represented. Belle learned they required two years of Bible school and Fraser recommended Moody Bible Institute. With funds from a friend, she enrolled.
While at Moody, Belle met John Kuhn who also felt called to serve in China. Friendship developed into romance, but Belle wasn’t sure God wanted her to marry him. John sailed for China in 1926.
After graduation, Belle attended the China Inland Mission training school in Toronto. She and John corresponded frequently. In one of his letters he proposed and Belle said yes. They prayed to be assigned in the Yunnan province, hoping to work under Fraser. God answered their prayer affirmatively.
After Belle completed a year of language study, she and John finally married in 1929. Belle moved to Cheng Chiang where he lived.
Yunnan Province in southwest corner
The first time she hosted a few women in their home, a baby soiled the Kuhn’s new rug. Worse yet, Belle found more “guests” after the humans left: bed bugs, fleas, and lice.
“Lord, make these souls more important to me than anything else,” she prayed. And soon genuine love superseded concerns about vermin or stains.
Over the next twenty years, the Kuhns served in five locations. For the most part, John preached in the villages and Belle taught women’s Bible classes. Their first child Kathryn arrived in 1931.
A terrible flood occurred in 1933, during Belle’s second pregnancy. John was away preaching, so she dragged belongings upstairs, some very heavy. Belle miscarried the baby.
There was little time to grieve as a new directive arrived from Fraser the next day: You’re needed in the Salween Valley to work with the Lisu people.
In 1936 Communist soldiers threatened the valley and missionaries were instructed to evacuate. For eight days they trekked northward, but so did the enemy.
“It seemed as if the Communists were after us,” she wrote, “but in real fact, our pursuers were those faithful watch dogs of Jehovah . . . ‘Goodness and Mercy followed us all our days ‘”[2].
In 1937, as the war with Japan escalated, they were told Kathryn needed to attend a far-distant CIM school out of harm’s way, causing a heartbreaking separation.
Belle fought her distress with a new form of ministry to train church leaders: Rainy Season Bible School, taking advantage of the free time inclement weather provided. Many men attended.
In 1938 their dear friend Fraser died. John’s ministry broadened to include travel throughout Lisu territory. At home, Belle continued to teach, but she also found time to write, completing four books during those twenty years of ministry.
Several times the Kuhns had to escape the Communists and then the Japanese. Each time the Kuhns returned when the danger had passed.
Yangtze River, Yunnan Province
Daniel Kuhn was born in 1942. When he was six, Belle and her son had to evacuate again. This time they traveled to America where Kathryn was attending college. John followed a short time later. They were never allowed to return to China.
Did the Kuhns wonder if the Lisu Christians would lose heart and give up their faith?
Author Wright Doyle wrote: “Of the 18,000 Lisu who lived in Fugong, Yunnan in 1950, 3,400 professed faith in Christ. As of 2007, it is estimated that 80-90% of the 70,000 population make the same profession. In Yunnan, it is estimated that there are between 100,00-200,000 Lisu Christians”[3].
A church in Fugong today
For three years the Kuhns worked in Thailand, but then Belle was diagnosed with cancer. She died in 1957 at age fifty-five. Yet even while battling disease, Belle completed five more books.
To this day, the legacy of Isobel Miller Kuhn lives on, among her beloved Lisu people and through her writing.
[1] https://bdcconline.net/en/stories/kuhn-isobel-miller
[2] https://fromthevault.wheaton.edu/2021/03/01/letters-from-lisuland-the-ministry-of-isobel-kuhn/
[3] https://g1.fieldpartner.org/isobelkuhn/
Other sources:
https://www.evangelical-times.org/isobel-kuhn
https://www.thetravelingteam.org/articles/isobel-kuhn
Photo credits: http://www.dailyverses.net; http://www.picryl.com; http://www.flickr.com; http://www.dailyverses.net; http://www.flickr.com; http://www.enwikipedia.org.
Praise the Lord for the snuffling snore of Belle’s father! Thank you for sharing the story of this amazing missionary who led thousands to the path of salvation. 🙂
What an astute observation, Nancy! Wouldn’t surprise me if God directly caused that snuffle! 😁 Seriously, it’s amazing the way Belle’s life turned completely around when she surrendered to Christ. And then I think of the COUNTLESS others for whom he’s done the same thing–it’s mind-boggling and praise-inducing!
Life is like the game of dominoes
In many ways–you’re right, Nancy!
That all of us may have the courage and conviction that Belle found to follow God and His will for them, no matter where that will lead us. May we always proclaim our God’s loving grace to all we meet, even if it’s only in our own backyard. We never know how far that reflection of God’s light and love will live on in their lives.
Blessings always, Nancy!
SO well said, Martha, and AMEN to your declarations!
What an amazing story, Nancy! Our God is indeed an awesome God!
Isn’t he though?! So glad you found Belle Kuhn’s story to be compelling, Linda!
Wow! What amazing obedience and dedication to sharing Jesus. Truly inspirational. Thank you for sharing Nancy. I always learn of some wonderful people through your writings.
Thank you, Manu. So glad you also find inspiration in these stories of faithful Christians used mightily by God!
Wow! What a beautiful story of love and obedience
Wow indeed, Brenda! Her story inspired me, so I was quite certain she’d do the same for others.
Nancy, thank you for bringing Isobel’s loving history to us! You are to be commended, sister.
Thank you very much, Maria. Belle Kuhn’s story is well worth knowing, I think!
Thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome, Carolyn!
Thanks for sharing about this amazing woman!
You’re welcome, Barb. I found her amazing too!
I love this Nancy! What an inspiring life of obedience … and amazing ripple effects from their ministry! ❤️
Agreed! I was also impressed by the God-engineered circumstances in her life, including the Dante quote that “just happened” to come to her mind, the missionary that “just happened” to stay in their home and how he “just happened” to recommend Moody where Belle “just happened” to meet John, etc., etc. Over and over again Belle proved the truth of one of our favorite verses, Ephesians 3:20!
Once again, you’ve opened up a powerful story and testimony to me I was not aware of that leaves me richer and also so very humbled. Thank you so much, Nancy.
You’re very welcome, Deb! I praise God for introducing her to me through one of those perpetual calendars on Christian history. It was a privilege for me to learn about her as well–such an inspiring woman, highly committed to Christ.
What an amazing story. No matter what trials we face in this life we can trust that Hod is right there with us.
Amen, Kathy! And stories such as these build our faith as we affirm the truth: “What He’s done for others, He will do for you.” (From an old hymn, “It Is No Secret.”)
This story is so amazing. God is certainly in the small details of our lives in ways that we often never know. I love your biographies of great Christians, Nancy. Thank you for taking the time to dig deep and research for us. I love the Dante quote: ”In His will is our peace.” Simple but profound! Many blessings, my friend.
I too was impressed with the way God engineered the circumstances of Belle’s life, in order to bring her to China where she ministered with such selflessness, perseverance, and courage. He equipped her to accomplish what he purposed for her; we can trust he will do the same for us!
Great legacy!
Agreed, R-H!
Amazing. The faithfulness of a couple who followed God with faith and faithfulness, no matter their circumstances, really exposes the shallowness of so much of what we see as important now. Their resilience and perseverance is incredible. I love Belle’s attitude about her two companions, goodness and mercy always being present, never far. It’s how I long to live on a daily basis in the power of the Holy Spirit. Definitely an inspirational message my friend. Thank you.
And thank you, Dayle, for adding your thoughtful observations, speaking truth from Belle’s story for all of us. How glorious to contemplate those two companions, goodness and mercy!
What an amazing story!
I was amazed too, Dwight. It also surprised me that I hadn’t heard of her before–until recently.
What a story of love and commitment to the mission of Christ!
Indeed! Praise God for the way he supplies all our needs, including a love for people and a commitment to serve Christ–in ways we didn’t think possible. Belle Kuhn is a prime example.
Thank you for sharing this story of faith. This woman’s legacy lives on. It is inspiring to learn about her faith story despite the many difficulties that she faced along the way. She did not give up. She did not quit. She kept the faith and kept going…
I found Belle’s story incredibly inspiring; I’m glad you did too, Linda!
Testing…
What kind of Murphy’s Law is at work here, that your “testing” comment came through, but not your actual comments about the post?! This makes no sense! I’m so sorry, Cheri.
I love the stories of the Kuhns and of Fraser. I think I’ve read (and reread) all of her books, and find such an inspiration!! The work the Lord enabled them to do among the Lisu was amazing!!
I have not read her books–‘didn’t even know about her until recently when her name appeared in one of those perpetual calendars. Based on your recommendation, I’ve added her name to my TBR list! Thank you, Sheila!