Actors may strive to live their lives out of the public eye, but in the end, good or bad, their words and deeds come to light - which makes good stories like this all the more encouraging. The next time we assume a celebrity is beyond redemption, remember Ingrid Bergman. Because the fact is, though humans may grow weary of hope and lack in faith, God never does. (Hollywood, CA) - "Casablanca." "Notorious." "Joan of Arc." World-famous actress Ingrid Bergman starred in all these iconic films and many more. (Photo: MOVIEGUIDE)
One film she starred in that may not be as well known, but is a great classic in its own right is "The Inn of the Sixth Happiness" - based on the true life of British missionary Gladys Aylward.
Aylward worked closely with Jenny Lawson, a woman who started an inn to reach travelling Chinese workers. Chinese Christianity teaches that, in addition to the "five joys" of life, the term "sixth happiness" is the Gospel.
In WWII, during the Japanese invasion, Aylward braved a long perilous journey to lead over 100 Chinese orphans through treacherous territory to safety.
History reveals that Aylward was upset that Bergman had been chosen to play her in the film based on her life, primarily because Bergman had notoriously borne children out of wedlock to Italian producer Roberto Rossellini. One of those children is actress Isabella Rossellini. Aylward, along with Madame Chiang Kai-Shek, whom she prayed with often, committed the matter to prayer.
But, according to J. Christy Wilson, author of "More to be Desired Than Gold: A Collection of True Stories," Bergman became so deeply moved playing the part of Aylward, she made a special trip to Taiwan in 1970 to meet her.
Sadly, while Bergman was en route, Aylward died.
As related in a Movieguide report, when Bergman was shown the room where Aylward had lived, she "fell down beside Gladys' bed and wept, saying she was unworthy to have played the life of such a woman of God."
Realizing it was a divine appointment, Katherine Smith, Aylward's co-worker who had escorted Bergman to the deceased missionaries home, led Bergman in the sinner's prayer. Bergman then, she said, immediately received Christ as her Lord and Savior.
Twelve years later, in 1982, Bergman passed away of cancer.
Thanks for posting! I never knew the Ingrid Bergman part of the story. Praise the Lord!
I love that movie! Didn’t know it was a true story, very cool. Thanks for the post!
Can I have the direct link to the story so I don’t have to deal with the weird characters? Your link at top takes me straight to the website’s home page.
Thanks for posting. I read the book years ago, but it was nice reading about her work again. Truly good news.
One of my favorite movies as a child.
A maid from England gets a calling to provide missionary work in China. She leaves all behind, and using a small gift from an employer she spends her last shilling and treks across the Orient Express to the end of the line in Siberia. Around the time of the Russian Revolution. God protects her, and she is able to scratch her way to a community where the local missionary wants no part of her - Gladys did not know the Chinese language. But she was persistent, and learned the language, and became a wonderful missionary - building an orphanage, spreading the Gospel, converting rogues and renegades (there were many Chinese warlords wandering around in those days). A great job in planting seeds - and although a lot of the growth was dormant throughout the Maoist years - I have to wonder if the revival of the Gospel in China today was in no small part due to the efforts of Gladys, and other Missionaries (e.g., Hudson Taylor, C.T. Studds, Pastor His, etc), who gave their all for Christ.
Wonderful story. Thanks for posting it.
Thank you so much!
Thanks for posting this, enjoyed reading it very much!
(Sure wish the little symbols weren’t on on the good or important stuff.)
It’s a rare person who can give their entire life to God. But when it happens, look at the lives they change!
A similar book is “Rees Howells, Intercessor” by Norman Grubb. The faith of Howells, a simple coal miner, altered the outcome of World War II.
This is a fine example of what my mother always told me, “God never looks at your ability but only your availability”. It is one of Satan’s great lies when he tries to convince you that you’re not good enough to serve God.