A Living Legacy

Through the outreach and evangelism of Isobel Kuhn, the Lisu people were able to hear the gospel for the first time.  Even after her death, the memory of Isobel and John Kuhn was permanently imprinted on the hearts of the Lisu people for generations to come.  The effect John and Isobel had on the Lisu people for Christ is overwhelming.  God used the Kuhns to touch the Lisu for Him and draw them to Himself.  The Kuhns helped plant the seed of the gospel in the hearts of the Lisu.God's hand was on the Kuhn's work and He helped cultivate and grow the seed of faith planted by the Kuhns.  On pg. 166 of Nothing Daunted, Anthony Lambert of present day OMF, formerly known as CIM gives a more specific number of Lisu believers.

He said, "Last September [1993] I was talking with the chief pastor in Kunming: he estimates there are about 200,000 Lisu Christians in China.  From another source I was told there are over 1,300 churches among the Lisu.  A recent Hong Kong Christian visitor was informed that local Chinese Communist officials were seriously considering whether the Lisu tribe should be officially recognized as a "Christian Tribe"- if so, they would be the only one so nominated in China!  This figure of 200,000 compares with a total of 14,800 in 1950...This is amazing testimony to the power of God's Word and the solid foundation provided by the Kuhns and others." 

However, there is still work to be done.  We can follow and continue Isobel's legacy by continuing to minister and share the gospel with people all over the world, especially in Asia.  Satan still has a grip on the people there and we should be always making disciples.  The organization Isobel and John Kuhn went to China with was called China Inland Mission.  The organization is still ministering and evangelizing to Asia today only they are known as Overseas Missionary Fellowship (OMF).

The Death of Isobel Kuhn

Isobel was diagnosed with cancer in 1954, but continued to minister to others.  Isobel continued to find many joys in her life, even in the last few months she was given.  She called these blessings the edelweiss of God.  God's will had become Isobel's own and in His will she found peace.  Isobel ran the race with perseverance and her life reflected Hebrews 12:1-3 which states, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."  The life God had chosen for her was not easy, but she remained steadfast in her faith and accepted every obstacle with grace and humility.  She kept the faith and was rewarded in Heaven.  You can be sure she is now part of the great cloud of witnesses in Heaven cheering the Lisu believers and Christians around the world on in their race.  Isobel said, "When I get to heaven they aren't going to see much of me except my heels, for I will be hanging over the golden wall keeping an eye on the Lisu church!"  Isobel Kuhn was and still remains a major influence in the lives of the Lisu people.   After fighting the good fight for 56 years, Isobel Kuhn went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on March 20, 1957.  The website below has the program of Isobel's funeral, as well as her obituary and a few other interesting tidbits.

http://www2.wheaton.edu/bgc/archives/docs/Isobelkuhn08.htm

Isobel's favorite hymn which was sung at her funeral was The Sands of Time are Sinking.  Her life verse was Philippians 4:11, "I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."

The Translation of the New Testament and Hymns

The book mentions the translation of the New Testament into the Lisu language as well as several Lisu hymnbooks.  J.O. Fraser had completed the translation after many years of hard work.  He developed the Fraser alphabet and translated the Bible using his alphabet. I have included a link below to a website that provides more details and examples of the Fraser alphabet, which was eventually recognized as the official script for the Lisu language.

http://www.omniglot.com/writing/fraser.htm



The Kuhns and the Lisu Christians were ecstatic when the New Testament translations arrived.  They truly understood the value of scripture.  As Psalm 119:72 says, "The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold."  The Bible is God's very word given to us.  He reveals Himself and His character to us through the Bible.  Without the Bible translated into their language, the Lisu people could not read God's love letter to them for themselves.  Today, I think many Christians take the Bible for granted and sometimes lose the appreciation for the great gift we have been given.  Bibles are in great supply in the English language.  We have more versions of the Bible than we can count.  I can hardly imagine what it would be like to only have the New Testament translated into my language.  J.O. Fraser also translated many hymns into the Lisu language for them to sing.  I found a video of members of the Lisu tribe singing Handel's Messiah.  The video is amazing and shows how God used J.O. Fraser and the Kuhns to spread his name throughout the earth.  A German- British Baroque composer's song performed in cathedrals and concert halls is now being sung by a tribal Lisu choir in the mountains of rural Asia.

Rainy Season Bible School

The Lisu people were mostly a farming community.  Rice provided them with a substantial income and living.  Isobel and John soon observed that many Lisu were not busy during the rainy season.  Isobel decided to open up The Rainy Season Bible School so that she could teach the Lisu the gospel and basic ideas of Christianity.  She and John would train the new believers and send them out to neighboring villages.  Even to this day in various countries and regions, missionaries continue to host Bible schools during the wet season. 

Rainy Season Bible School was influential in the conversion of many Lisu people.  The school taught the new believers to be very mission minded and evangelistic.   Training national people to evangelize and teach their own people is a priority of international missionaries.  God commands believers to be always making disciples.

 Making disciples is a priority at my church.  In my church we have a program called 1-3-1. One person praying for three people to know the one true God.  If everyone prays for and personally witnesses to at least three people, there will be a ripple effect.  We can reach many different spheres of people,because everyone has different circles of influence.  My church has outreach events in order to make it easier for us to invite our 1-3-1 friends and neighbors to organized events that combine relationship and the message of the gospel.

A picture Isobel Kuhn took herself and titled "Preaching to Lisu"

The Lisu People

Lisu women working in the fields.

John and Isobel are finally able to start working with the Lisu people.  The Lisu people John and Isobel worked with were located in the Salween mountains around the Salween river in China.  There were and still are Lisu people in Burma, Thailand, and China.  Before the Lisu people heard the gospel, they worshiped many false gods and were very superstitious.  However, through missionaries like the Kuhns and J.O. Fraser the gospel has spread like wildfire to them and many of them are believers.  My mom and older sister Becky worked with the Lisu people in Burma when they were on a couple different mission trips.  The influence of missionaries such as John and Isobel Kuhn can still be seen in the lives of the Lisu believers today.  The Lisu believers have maintained their culture while embracing the integrity of the Word of God.  Junta soldiers of the Burmese government persecute the Lisu and many other tribes of believers.  Despite harsh persecution, the Lisu have stood firm in their faith and continue to witness to other people.  The believers my mom and sister met continually spoke of their appreciation for the missionaries that brought the gospel long ago.  The legacy of the Kuhns lives on in the hearts of the Lisu people.  

The green area on the map above shows the Lisu people.

The Salween River is labeled and highlighted on the map above.

A picture of Lisu rice terraces taken in 2008.

Lisu people wearing traditional clothes and celebrating.

Trusting God

Isobel gave birth to their first daughter and they named her Kathryn. Isobel and John both wanted a lot of children and Isobel was soon expecting her second child.  However, Isobel ended up losing the baby.  Isobel was heartbroken and devastated over the loss.  However, God was still working in their lives.  Isobel and John received a letter from J.O. Fraser asking them if they would be willing to work with the Lisu people in the mountains.  With a newborn baby, Isobel and John would not have been able to make the dangerous journey up into the mountains.  John and Isobel happily agreed to answer the call.

Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."  I know that we do not always understand God's plan and will for our lives, but this verse brings a lot of comfort.  Losing a child, even an unborn one, is something I can't even imagine going through.  My older sister just recently gave birth to her first child and my first nephew.  Even before he was born, we loved him.  Losing him would be devastating.  I admire the way John and Isobel continued to put their trust in God, even though they faced many hard, challenges.  Their courage and obedience despite difficult circumstances is a good example for us to follow.  From their example, I can learn to depend and fully trust God, even when I don't always understand His plan.  God is powerful enough to use the death of their baby, to allow John and Isobel to continue their journey to the Lisu people.

Yin-chang

Isobel was finally able to sail for China in October of 1928.  She married John Kuhn on November 14, 1929.  Cultural adjustments confronted Isobel.  She had to adapt to new foods, lack of privacy, and disturbing behavior.  Visitors to her home had no regard for cleanliness and Chinese mothers allowed their toddlers and infants to urinate and defecate on her new rug.  However, she struggled the most with John's cook boy Yin-chang and his wife.  Yin-chang and his wife were lazy and took advantage of John and Isobel.  They would "borrow" things from the Kuhns without asking.  One cold day, Isobel noticed a few feebly burning coals in their tiny charcoal brazier.  She was puzzled, because they had just purchased a new larger brazier.  She soon discovered that Yin-chang and his wife were huddled around the new brazier in their bedroom, where the heat was solely concentrated on them.  Whenever Isobel complained to John, he defended Yin-chang's behavior.  Isobel tried to remedy the problems with them, including instructing the couple how to wisely use the money she gave them for food.  They would only smirk at her and refuse to cooperate.  She eventually realized her own fault in the situation,because she hadn't given her problem to God.  She confessed that her reaction was not a good witness to the Chinese.  Isobel finally took her anger to God and apologized for her behavior.  She asked God what she should do.  Almost immediately after, John gave Isobel permission to dismiss Yin-chang.


 I don't think I would have handled the situation with Yin-chang as well as Isobel did.  I think I would have entirely blamed Yin-chang.  I would tell myself and God that my annoyance and anger were justified, because of the behavior of Yin-chang and his wife.  In situations where I have been challenged to live or encounter someone like Yin-chang, I have not always responded in a way that honors God.  I became bitter and angry.  Blaming everyone but myself, I kept dwelling on everything that person did that was inconsiderate or that made me mad.  My attitude became so bad, that my family suffered from my constant complaining and little cutting remarks. Like Isobel, I had to acknowledge my inappropriate responses to the situation.  I understand that someone else's rude behavior does not justify a bitter response.   

A picture of Isobel and John at their wedding.