“God preserved me so I might tell the story of my life and of God’s goodness to me,” wrote Jeanette Li in her autobiography. And readers might expect her to share stories indicating a life of continual blessing.
They would be wrong.
Jeanette Li (known first as Li Mao Ya, or “Jasmine Bud”), was born in 1899 and grew up in Southeast China with a large extended family of forty-plus people. They lived in hardship and poverty along with most everyone else in the village.
At age six, Jeanette suffered her first trauma—her beloved father died.
Many more ordeals followed, including:
At age 9: Jeanette contracted malaria and received treatment at a mission hospital. One blessing: while there, she and her mother, Taai-So, became Christians.
Perhaps a mission such as this one in central China
When Jeanette was released, they returned home, only to be turned away by their Buddhist family because they’d become Christians. Taai-So and Jeanette returned to the mission and lived there.
Age 10: The mission was closed due to political strife; all their missionary-friends had to leave.
Age 16: Against Jeanette’s will, Taai-So arranged a marriage for Jeanette, in order to provide for her daughter’s future. Jeanette went to live with her husband’s family under the thumb of a domineering mother-in-law.
Age 20: Jeanette bore a son. But her husband was rarely home, first because he was in school, and then because he was hired as a teacher some distance away. Eventually he married someone else.
Age 32: Jeanette left all she knew to live and serve in bitter-cold Manchuria, requiring her to learn a new language and culture. For thirteen years she traveled by cart on unpaved roads, telling people about Jesus.
Age 38: War broke out between China and Japan in 1937, lasting eight years. Millions died in combat or the result of starvation or disease.
Age 47: The Communists warred against the Nationalists in a three-year civil war, resulting in more suffering and the death of another million-plus people.
Jeanette returned to South China, to the mission where she and her mother had lived. Jeanette was questioned many times by Communist Army officials.
Age 50: All foreign missionaries were constrained to leave China as the Communist Party took power. Jeanette assumed responsibility for the mission-orphanage.
Age 51: She suffered imprisonment for seventeen months, accused of being a counter-revolutionary. Jeanette had to sleep on the floor “in a damp cell infested by mosquitoes, with hardly any food”[1].
They forced her to perform hard labor, and interrogated her day and night. she became ill with fever and developed hemorrhaging dysentery. Her captors offered no medical treatment [2].
Some would ask, “Where was God in all this? The poor woman endured such hardship, pain, and unfair treatment!”
Jeanette would have us know that God graciously involved himself throughout her life, blessing her, and bringing her joy:
He was there during the siege of malaria that took Jeanette and her mother to the regional mission. God spared Jeanette’s life and introduced them to Jesus.
When they returned home, God used the family upheaval to lead the two back to the mission. Taai-So obtained employment and they grew in their Christian faith.
God brought good out of the abandonment of Jeanette’s husband, providing the opportunity for her to obtain a teaching certificate. She was able to support her son as a teacher and then as school administrator.
God fulfilled Jeanette’s desire to tell others about Jesus and made it possible for her to serve in Manchuria, teaching in village after village.
God led her to return to South China where he used her to assume leadership of the mission-orphanage, putting to use her skills as educator and administrator.
God sustained Jeanette during her imprisonment as she suffered acute misery with grace, courage, and stamina—a witness to all in the prison of God’s power at work in her life.
God also spared her life as illness and weakness nearly overcame her.
After her release, God provided for her recovery and subsequent missionary-work in Canton.
God bestowed a miraculous escape from Communist China, first to Hong Kong where she ministered to children and refugees, and finally, in 1962, to Los Angeles, California where her son already lived.
Throughout her life, Jeanette was one of those “true saints who [could] wear the mismatched pairing of suffering and joy” [3]. And as a result, she drew attention to Christ.
May we do the same.
Addendum: For six years prior to a fatal stroke, Jeanette ministered in the Chinese community of Los Angeles, told her story at every opportunity, and wrote her autobiography.
[1] https://www.placefortruth.org/blog/jeanette-li-and-her-faith-in-gods-promises
[2] Ibid.
[3] https://jenniferdukeslee.com/on-suffering-and-joy-a-lesson-from-the-garden-tomato/
Other Sources:
Image credits: http://www.commons.wikimedia.org; http://www.getarchive.net (2); http://www.canva.com (2); http://www.freebibleimages.org; http://www.getarchives.net.
Discover more from From the Inside Out
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
From the Inside Out 
Through hardship she came to know Jesus and he guided her ways. Through hardship she shared Jesus with others. Incredible story.
Jeanette’s story puts my minor complaints into quick perspective! I too found her story to be incredible.
Thank you for sharing this story of Jeanette! Although she endured hardship, she remained faithful and used her gifts to serve God and others.
Indeed she did, Linda. Her faithfulness shone bright against the dark circumstances of her life!
Jeanette’s indomitable spirit and passion to share the Gospel in the most treacherous circumstances was remarkable. She was amazing. Thank you for telling her story, Nancy. 🙂
Couldn’t agree more, Nancy. She set a stellar example for us!
What an incredible story. When I think of how good we have it here in America it makes me wonder why we aren’t more eager to share our faith. We don’t face this kind of persecution yet we don’t speak up either. We take so much for granted.
You’re so right, Cathy. I pray we may become more intentional, more eager as we interact with others. We can plant seeds of faith wherever we go, telling others that Jesus has made a huge difference in our lives. Who knows what exciting opportunities God may provide to continue the conversation!
He is faithful to keep His promises. He will never leave us nor forsake us
AMEN, Brenda. So important to keep in mind, especially when hardship occurs.
Another profile in courage from this woman who knew that Jesus had saved her and would be there for her, no matter what this earthly evils tried to prevail against her. Thank you, Nancy, for featuring Jeanette Li here today, both to inspire us and to make us reflect during Lent that there is no earthly suffering and troubles that the Lord can’t redeem. Blessings, my friend!
Redemption indeed, Martha. What a great word to summarize Jeanette’s life. God redeemed every trial this dear woman endured. Praise God for that beloved promise of Romans 8:28–proven to be 100% realized in her life and the life of every believer! How glorious is that?!
A life refined in the fire and prepared for use. Amazing example of faith and courage in the furnace.
Agreed, RH. I pray to be as malleable by suffering as Jeanette, allowing trials to work spiritual maturity within me (James 1:2-4).
That should certainly be a prayer believers echo ever so often.
What an inspirational story! I sometimes wonder if I would have the strength that Jeanette Li showed over the years in standing true to Christ. I think the answer is–only through Jesus Christ, not on my own.
Exactly, Linda. God provides what we need when we need it. We can count on that, as long as we’re counting on him!
Wow, sorry I missed this at the Writers Meeting, Nancy!
Thanks Mitch–they approved of it too! 😁
Nancy,
The life of a Chinese Paul. The brought out the Chinese determination and toughness when the Lord is at work. Have a great weekend, Gary
Gary Avants Forbear Productions * *garyavants66@gmail.com garyavants66@gmail.com
Praise God he does supply strength and courage in time of need (Isaiah 40:29-31; 41:10)!
What an incredible story of faith, hope, perseverance, and true joy! Jeanette could look past her immediate circumstances to Jesus and see His hand in it all! I fully agree with you–may we all who call Jesus as Lord do the same.
Amen, Dayle. We can cheer each other on!
I can’t help but draw parallels to the Joseph story in Genesis. Unwavering Christians who saw through their immediate misery with the belief that with patience, God had powerfully good plans in store for them. Truly inspiring.
Yes, Joseph certainly is a good example of God using difficult circumstances and even suffering to fulfill his plan. I’m so glad you found Jeanette Li’s story to be inspiring. I did too!
Inspiring as are all your posts, Nancy. ❤
Thank you for your kind encouragement, Anna!
I love this story Nancy! I think it shows the truth–that suffering is a part of the Christian’s life—yet God is with us through all the suffering, and He gives us strength, peace and JOY!! Thank you for this!!
You’re welcome, Katie. It’s so easy to focus on the negative and miss all the positive work God is doing for us and in us. Jeanette Li shows us the way to reverse that!
Amen!! So true!!
Nancy, sometimes there are no words. But there is this promise – His beautiful ‘mismatched pairing of suffering and joy’.
He is with us each step of the way.
Dear Linda, you well know how this mismatched pairing impacts a life. I praise God for your example of finding the joy amidst the pain, and I know you’ve ministered hope to countless people through your own story.
What tragedies she had to endure! I am ashamed of my petty complaints and her life story certainly puts things into perspective. I take so much for granted. Thank you for sharing her remarkable and inspiring journey.
I feel the same way, Cheri. How dare I fuss about rude drivers, interruptions, slow progress on a project, etc?! Such saints as Jeanette Li put me to shame. I’m so glad you found inspiration in her story!
What a story and imagine that husband leaving her and remarrying someone else too. how sad yet God open so many doors for her!
Indeed he did. Jeanette’s life included such a contrast of highs and lows, but her one constant was her heavenly Father and her strong faith in him!
Another truly amazing story of a life fully dedicated to and guided by our Lord. Her life is still impacting many. Thank you for helping to make that possible by sharing her story, Nancy.
I hadn’t thought of that, Patty! It is my PRIVILEGE to pass on Jeanette Li’s story and the others I’ve shared, that their influence might impact more lives. I’m so glad you were blessed by this mini-biography of Jeannette.