Maud Kells: Fearless in the Forest (Trail Blazers)

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Reverend Tom Greer told the service that Ms Kells became well known after being shot in 2015, but that her family would remember the love she had for those who knew her best. In the meantime a rumour spread locally that I had died. The governor, afraid that the shooting might be the start of a major incident, sent a large number of troops from Punia, armed with guns and grenades. My death could have set off a spiral of violence. Thankfully God preserved my life and saved Mulita from any further trauma. Maud recalls: "We had been told to lay white sheets on the airstrip so that the pilots would know it was safe to land but rebel supporters had removed them. Kells O.B.E. October 26, 2023 (peacefully) at The Macmillan Unit, Antrim Area Hospital, Maud, late of 73 Moneymore Road, Cookstown and formerly of Mulita, D.R.C., beloved daughter of the late William Andrew and Madge Kells, dearly loved sister of Margaret, Dorothy and the late Irene, sister-in-law of Colin, Harold and Tom and a cherished aunt and great-aunt.

As the mists cleared, I became conscious of hands cleaning me up, of faces hovering above me. I realised John, whom I had trained to take over from me in maternity, was erecting an intravenous drip to replace fluids. "You're alright, Mademoiselle. We've stopped the bleeding and dressed the wound. You're on the couch in your house and I'm just putting up this drip for you."

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Ms Kells’ work was carried out through WEC International, an interdenominational mission agency of evangelical tradition. Maud Kells, from Cookstown, Co Tyrone, was a missionary midwife in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) for decades, travelling there nearly every year since 1968. I had no fear. I was very conscious of God's presence surrounding me and the Holy Spirit's whisper that He was in complete control of the whole situation. He reminded me of Scriptures that had been precious over the years: 'The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in' (Psalm 121:8, esv); 'My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth' (Psalm 121:2, esv). While I was standing there with no physical help appearing, I thought, "Lord, are you taking me now?" I prayed my daily prayer whatever the situation: "Forgive me, Lord, for anything I've done wrong." Then I added: "I'm ready to go, Lord. But there are a few things I'd like to finish off on earth before I go." Sometimes reading helped to take my mind off my own situation as I followed the adventures of others. I was particularly impressed by two books I read at Nyankunde. Evidence Not Seen by Darlene Deibler Rose is the story of a young American couple who served in Indonesia as missionaries with New Tribes Mission during the Second World War. They were imprisoned by the Japanese in separate prisoner-of-war camps. When I read what that young wife suffered, and compared it to my own situation of love and care, I thought: "What I'm suffering is mild in comparison. I have little to complain about." It helped me to put everything in perspective and the happy ending cheered me greatly.

In Maud’s case the answer isn’t complicated, she fell in love with Jesus and never left that commitment throughout her entire lifetime here on earth.” In an age that is increasingly obsessed with personal agendas and material gain, we do well to stop for a moment and ask the question as to why someone would live a life that is so counter-cultural. Ms Kells received an OBE for her work, which included overseeing the building of a maternity hospital, an operating theatre and a school. The committee of Bangor Worldwide Missionary Convention also shared their sadness at the "homecalling" of their dear friend, Maud.At midday everyone was relieved when plane engines were heard overhead. The MAF pilot was Jon Cadd, a good friend. He came with other good friends of mine, German missionaries Dr Matthias and Sabine Holmer, who were based at Nebobongo. As soon as they heard what had happened, they volunteered to come down and help with the evacuation. Jon was delayed first by bad weather at Nyankunde and then needed to fly to Nebobongo to collect Matthias and Sabine, so eventually reached Mulita 12 hours after the shooting. By then I was almost unaware of what was happening, though I had a vague sense of people coming into the house. The funeral of an “incredible and loving” nurse who devoted her life to aid work in Africa, and survived being shot at the age of 75, has taken place.

Today I know that you, her family and loved ones, will have many precious memories of her and the love, care and encouragement she provided as a sister, an aunt and a great aunt – things that others will know nothing of, and for those things we thank God.” Mademoiselle is dying! Mademoiselle is dying!" A Congolese friend, Mado, visiting me in Mulita, appeared from the guest house where she was staying. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.” Rev 3:8 These words of scripture began a lifelong work of service for Maud Kells with WEC International in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Her work building a maternity unit and training local doctors and nurses in the rainforest area of Mulita was disrupted on several occasions by evacuation from DRC and, most recently, when Maud miraculously survived a shooting in 2015. Now, on her 80th birthday, Maud is telling the story of her life’s work serving God as a missionary midwife: An Open Door: A True Story of Courage in Congo launched on 1 April.The country had a fine infrastructure, with roads well maintained by the owners of the coffee, tea, cotton and rubber plantations, who also gave employment to local people and sourced goods from them. There were banks and post offices and other essential services. Maud, who was shot just days after being awarded an MBE and is also a former Belfast Telegraph Woman of the Year winner, went on to spend five decades there, providing maternity care and working to build a hospital and nursery in the rainforest village of Mulita. However, not only was she a legend in her fields of work, she was also the most incredible and loving person who was admired by all,” she said.

They added: "As Maud always said, "To Him be the Glory". We're upholding her family and church in prayer." Blood was pouring from a wound between my shoulders where the bullet appeared to have passed through. Desperate to stem the bleeding, I staggered to the wall of the house, pressing myself against it as firmly as possible. Time seemed to stretch indefinitely as I stood there, fighting to stay conscious and keep the blood flow under control. Call after call elicited no response. Images flitted through my brain: pictures of Jesus left on the cross, crucified and alone.In 1964, whilst training as a midwife in Glasgow, God placed a call on Maud to work in the Congo. The verse from Revelation 3:8 was a call to trust in God’s leading – at the time, political unrest in the region left the door to the Congo. However, as Maud’s testimony reveals time and again throughout her book, “nothing will be impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37). Maud set sail for DRC in October 1968, where she began working in Wamba, Neobongo and finally, in 1989, Mulita, where she stayed for the remainder of her time in DRC. Mr Crooks said that as well as her commitment to international aid, Ms Kells remained active in her local community in Tyrone. Maud’s call was for the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo, but we would do her a great injustice if we were to limit it to that,” he said. I stayed with her once and had the privilege of joining her for her morning devotions - her closeness to and joy in the Lord were remarkable.