Wilfred Grenfell || A Book Review

The first book I've read this year is YWAM's biography on Wilfred Grenfell, and wow, this book is amazing.

Wilfred grew up near the sea, and he and his older brother would often go out adventuring and fishing during the summer months. Once, they even made their own boat and took it out to the sea. They were often out all day, and they sometimes even spent the night away from home helping the local fishermen.

At fifteen years old, Wilfred's father sent him to school many miles away from home, and sadly, away from the shore. Wilfred spent over a year at school before asking his father if he could come back home. When his father allowed him to do so, Wilfred thought he was in heaven. Now he spent even more time out on his beloved Irish sea, pursuing a catch of fish. His carefree way of living lasted for almost a year before his father called him into his office. He told his son that their family was moving. He wanted Wilfred to begin looking for a profession--and he needed to decide within three months.

Wilfred was stunned by the sudden turn of events, especially since he'd never even thought about earning a living for himself; but after visiting with a local doctor, he became fascinated with the human body and decided to take on doctoring.

Eventually, Wilfred Grenfell came to a point of surrender to God, largely through the influence of D. L. Moody. He began helping a group of boys in London while he working on his doctoring studies, beginning a club for them that included prayer, Bible reading, boxing, bodybuilding, and gymnastics. He found that this was a useful outlet for their energy so that they were able to pay closer attention to the reading of God's Word. He also knew that in the boys' daily lives, self-defense might prove essential.

Wilfred moved on after he finished his course of study and began helping the fishermen on the dangerous North Sea, though he still kept in contact with the boys from the club he had begun. Wilfred would both bind up the physical wounds as well as minister to the spiritual needs of the fishermen in his new work. It was an exciting time for Wilfred, and he was able to grow in skills he would need in later ministry opportunities.

Soon, Wilfred heard of the desperate conditions in the poor fishing communities of Labrador's wild coast. He knew this was where God wanted Him to be. As a matter a fact, he spent nearly the rest of his life pioneering life-saving hospitals, schools, orphanages, and fishermen's co-ops on Labrador's coast. He was often met with life-and-death situations--not only in the conditions of the patients he met as he sailed up the coast every year, but also in near-death experiences himself.

What impressed me most about Wilfred Grenfell was that grew his talents and interests from his youth, and listened to God's voice telling him which way to walk. As a results, hundreds if not thousands of lives were saved--physically as well as spiritually.

And though showered with honors, awards, and even a title from the king of England, Grenfell's greatest reward was that through obedience to Christ, he was able to witness the way the Gospel heals a person--a community--a country--and the world.