“In every period of my life I have found God sufficient for my every need.” —Jeanette Li
At Esther Press, we empower and equip women to courageously stand strong in the truth of who God made them to be. Let us do that for you today by sharing the story of Jeanette Li.
“Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.” These words from Revelation 2:10 (NIV) have buoyed Christians throughout the generations when they’ve faced persecution. Anyone who follows Jesus has faced hardship, whether it was opposition from family or friends, or opposition from the government, or something in between. But in some places in the world, Christians face both. Jeanette Li was one such Christian, but her devotion to her Savior held her fast until the day she died.
Born Facing Outside
Jeanette Li was born in 1899 in Southeast China. Her parents had two sons and a daughter before her, but none of them survived early childhood. At the news of a healthy baby girl, a relative recommended Jeanette’s father leave Jeanette at a foundling house to die. Sons were prized over daughters, because sons were the ones to carry on the familial rites toward parents after their deaths. A daughter was “born facing outside”—she would get married, leave her own family, and be joined to her husband’s family. Thankfully, her father saw her humanity and decided that she was worth raising and loving. He gave her the name Li Mao Ya, “Jasmine Bud,” after the blooming jasmine flower he’d seen while his wife was in labor.
Trouble on Every Side
From the time she was a young girl, Jeanette experienced trouble. Her father was determined that she should receive the same education as the boys of their region. He sent her to a private boys’ school, which led to her first experience with people standing against her. But as she grew, she was determined to pave the way for other girls to receive a thorough education as well.
After her father died, Jeanette became very sick and came to a Christian hospital for treatment. It was here that she met her heavenly Father. After she recovered, she enrolled in the Love Doctrine School for Girls. During her time at the school, her mother also accepted Christ as her Savior and went to work for the school. Their new faith caused their family to persecute them, because they had forsaken the old ways of ancestor worship. At just twelve years old, Jeanette gave a strong answer for her faith and encouraged her mother with the truths of Scripture.
A Strong Witness
Jeanette Li carried her faith with her everywhere she went. As an adult, she took up the work of God in the church. Traveling far and wide, she witnessed to her neighbors, and the Lord used her to speak with such conviction that she led many to forsake their idols and turn to Him. It often seemed that all one needed to do was sit under her teaching to feel the Holy Spirit’s conviction to repent of their sins and accept Jesus’s gift of salvation.
Even as communism swept through China, Jeanette never wavered in her devotion to God. She carried her Bible with her wherever she went, defying anyone who encouraged her to leave it behind or toss it into the river for fear that it would cause trouble. Eventually her travels brought her back to her hometown, where she took over the charge of a Presbyterian orphanage. She served there until the new government took command, and Jeanette was imprisoned. Even in the seventeen months she spent in jail, she never renounced her faith nor compromised her convictions.
A Crown of Life
There’s much more that could be said about Jeanette Li’s faith and ministry. From the time she was a little girl until her death in 1962, God’s hand was on this girl born facing outside. She was a mother, a grandmother, a friend, and a co-laborer in the gospel who no doubt heard the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” when she entered her heavenly rest.
“In witnessing for Jesus, I have learned not to think of how poorly qualified I am or how much more education my hearers may have. I simply tell of what God has done through Jesus’ crucifixion for sinners, and I am not frightened or confused.” —Jeanette Li
How can Jeanette Li’s story encourage you to trade insecurity for boldness in sharing about the goodness of Jesus with other women?
You can learn more about the remarkable life and ministry of Jeanette Li here.
