The woman standing on the train platform cuts an unusual figure. She stands only two inches short of five feet tall. She wears a bright orange dress and a large fur overcoat—a strange fashion choice since the October weather isn’t cold enough for an overcoat. She holds two suitcases, both old and worn out. AtContinue reading “Gladys Aylward, Rejected Missionary”
Author Archives: nbrown
Running to Daddy
I’ve always said we would never get a trampoline. I’ve heard too many stories of people breaking bones, or spraining ankles, or cracking their heads open while jumping on a trampoline. Don’t get me wrong, I bear no ill will toward people who have trampolines, I just wasn’t interested. We had at least twice whenContinue reading “Running to Daddy”
Eric Liddell Passes the Baton
“SIMPLE HARDY LIFE UNDER PRIMITIVE CONDITIONS.” That’s how Eric Liddell describes life at Weihsien to his wife, Florence. But, though his description makes Weihsien sound like a fun campout in the woods with friends, Eric’s life there is, in reality, something else entirely. Eric is a prisoner at Weihsien Internment Camp—a Japanese prison camp. AndContinue reading “Eric Liddell Passes the Baton”
Way Too Many Doughnuts
Not long ago, someone gave my son a copy of the book Homer Price and it brought back memories. I remember reading that book when I was a kid. It’s by Robert McCloskey, and in true McCloskey fashion, the book is both endearing and zany. It’s about the adventures of Homer Price, a kid whoseContinue reading “Way Too Many Doughnuts”
Fall of the Donut King
It seems like Ted Ngoy has everything. He started as a penniless Cambodian refugee and now he’s a millionaire with a thriving network of doughnut shops. He’s a leader and a role model in the immigrant community in southern California. Ted has built a beautiful life for himself and his family… But under the surface,Continue reading “Fall of the Donut King”
Rise of the Donut King
Ted Ngoy is shocked. He’s at the airfield in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and it’s time for him to leave. Communist forces calling themselves the Khmer Rouge are advancing on the Cambodian capital. Ted and the rest of the world have little idea of the horrors Cambodia will experience under this new regime. Under the leadershipContinue reading “Rise of the Donut King”
Just Another Faithful Preacher
I was thirteen years old when my family first visited Good News Baptist Church. The Army had just moved us to Virginia and we were trying to determine what church to join. I remember a couple of things about that first visit. I remember how friendly the people were. We were welcomed warmly almost asContinue reading “Just Another Faithful Preacher”
Something Appropriate (replay)
With Christmas just a few days away, I want to share with you a story I told on the podcast back on Christmas Eve 2022. It’s a heart-warming story and one that I hope will give us all a little perspective this Christmas season. This is “Something Appropriate”. Frank, Jim, and Bill were not goingContinue reading “Something Appropriate (replay)”
The Year They Cancelled Christmas
It’s December 25, 1647—Christmas Day. A crowd of apprentices gather in Cornhill, London. In honor of the festive occasion, they have boughs of holly and strands of ivy ready to hang in honor of Christmas. Together, they hang the greenery in a public place for all to see. It seems like a heartwarming and harmlessContinue reading “The Year They Cancelled Christmas”
Ben Franklin’s Family Feud
It’s early 1775 and it’s a time for deciding. The American colonies are at a crossroads. Tensions are threatening to boil over. It’s becoming harder and harder to sit on the fence. Some British subjects are choosing to stay loyal to the crown, vowing to do so no matter what comes. Others are preparing toContinue reading “Ben Franklin’s Family Feud”
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