A Passion for the Impossible: The Life of Lilias Trotter

Until a friend lent me her copy of the biographical movie, I had never heard of Lilias Trotter--her courage, her artwork, her passion for God, or her mysterious connection to John Ruskin. After I'd watched the movie several times, partly for more glimpses of the stunning watercolors in her journal, I knew I needed to get it myself for my collection. Lilias Trotter was an ordinary and yet quite remarkable woman whose self-taught adeptness at watercolor while still a teen caught John Ruskin's attention. She became his protégé, friend, and confidante. Though he wanted even more of her for himself personally and for the world artistically, she fled the temptation of fame to serve her first Love, becoming a missionary to and champion of Muslim women in North Africa for 38 years. Though she didn't become famous in her time, her journals are full of the light and color of the world and people she saw and served until the end of her life.

What a tragedy: this woman; truly one of the greatest of the late 19th-early 20th Centuries, is virtually unknown today! John Ruskin told the 15 year old Trotter, "You could be the greatest painter of the 19th Century!" She chose instead to spend the last 40 years of her life serving Jesus and the people of Algeria! Starting in 1888 she pioneered missionary methods that were 100 years ahead of her contemporaries. Michelle Dockery is her voice in the documentary of Trotter's life: Many Beautiful Things, which I also strongly recommend. Her artwork is displayed in a Blossom in the Desert also by Rockness.

I read a quote by Lilias Trotter that led me to this book on her life. I believe that God often uses voices from the past to speak into the "now" of eternity---saints of old, whose lives and words transcend time to testify to his working throughout history. Lilias' works have followed her into the 21st century. Miriam Rockness leaves no detail out, capturing Lilias life, the day to day and the heart of her life as she followed the call of God forsaking the allure of fame. Lilias' passion for the life of God through Jesus is infectious for those willing to learn from her. Miriam's book is a treasure in that regard.

The story of an outstanding Victorian woman artist who turned her back on a life of ease and fame in London to devote herself to the people of Algeria for the sake of Jesus Christ. Already bilingual in English and French, she became fluent in Arabic and penetrated the interior of Algeria like no other European Christian on record, holding long conversations with the mystic Sufis of the Algerian desert. Much llike Amy Carmichael, whom she knew only through letters, Ms Trotter selflessly loved and ministered among the people she believed God had called her to until her death in the early 20th century.

I just finished reading this book and was so impressed with the astonishing results this woman achieved because of her total surrender to God's plans. An accomplished young artist from an upper class Victorian family, she left the comforts of England and went into Algeria, a country inhabitated by Arabs who were mostly Muslim. It was a slow but steady start, because of language problems, government interference (because of suspicions about missionaries motives), and just the differences in the different ways of thinking and lifestyles of the Algerian people.Lilias spent several decades of her life doing the "basics" in securing the beginnings of a life long ministry among a people hungry for deep spiritual lessons, but finding ways to do this required much patience, thought and forgiveness. And on top of all this, she is dealing with a new language, both spoken and written.The majority of this book is taken from Lilias's copius journals, letters and writings where she kept records of what she was involved in day by day.I learned a lot about what the foreign missionary effort entails, and especially when you're the first to go into an area with some brand new ideas where life is so different. But she won them over slowly with her love. As time went on, she had much help from other women and men who worked with her in this cause.The last couple of decades her health was not good, but she just kept on plugging away, even writing from her bed the last two years.She wrote some beautiful booklets that have profound lessons of faith and obedience in them. "Parables of the Cross" and "Parables of the Christ Life" are just two of them.She gleaned such meaningful lessons from nature, things that the ordinary person would hardly think of. She could see great lessons from a grain of wheat, a peach, a bee, etc. She looked deeply into the whys and wherefores of the lessons that nature has to teach us.Lilias really had a heart for these people and she felt that God gave her that heart and she was to do what she could as well as she could for as long as she could. She was true to that effort.One thing I wished this book had was a map of the area that showed all the little towns and outposts that were mentioned in the book, and were developed over many years and many travels.This book is a good read, even though you are dealing with some new words and another way of thinking. You will learn a lot and wish you had known this woman who was totally devoted to God.

After viewing the wonderful film, "Many Beautiful Things" about the life of Lilias Trotter, I was interested in knowing more about her. Miriam Rockness has written a fascinating and much researched account of Lilias in this biography. She skillfully weaves entries from her diaries and writings producing a beautiful tapestry representing the life of a good and faithful servant of God. I savored every page of her book and look forward to learning more about this brave and courageous missionary to the Arabs of North Africa.

It's an incredible story of a woman who gave up money and fame to help those less fortunate than she. She ended up going to Algiers and sharing the Gospel with those who had never heard of Jesus. She lived with the Arabs - learned their culture and language and traveled into the interior on a camel. She was an artist and often drew pictures as she was traveling and/or living in a certain place. This all took place from 1853 to 1928.

A good read, very well put together from archive sources, easy to read, full of background information as well as numerous quotes from Lilias diaries etc. An inspiration to see her life unfold -what life is like- what can be accomplished - when God is in charge

So glad I found Lilias Trotter's book "A Blossom in the Desert" which led me to know of her life.

This book will deepen your longing to serve God wholeheartedly as you read of Lilias's dedication and devotion to God, serving him in pioneering missionary work in Algiers. She was a remarkable woman of her time who gave up her artistic talents to gain a far richer reward in her love for God. You will be blessed and encouraged as you read this biography.

Godly woman of whom litte is known. A readable and enjoyable biography.

A valuable contribution to literature on cross cultural work and mission. Plenty to reflect on and follow through in work in different cultural settings.