Better Than We Dreamed: The Story of Elaine Townsend

Better Than we Dreamed

The Story of Elaine Townsend and the Faithfulness of a God Who Colored Outside all her Lines

Read the story of a life lived safely within the lines, that God turned upside down. From social star of 1930s Chicago to a Wycliffe missionary in South America and the USSR, Elaine Townsend’s life was far from boring. Meet the woman who became Cameron Townsend’s wife, and discover how a life can be filled with adventure, by simply saying ‘yes’ to God.  Elaine found her adventures far better than any of her family could have ever imagined!

Through each stage of Elaine’s life her trust and dependence on her Saviour shines as an example to believers everywhere, yet there are also weaknesses with which we can all identify. This account of her struggles and successes is filled with stories gathered from those who knew Elaine best, as well as insights into the mission work that renewed a generation’s passion for Bible translation.

Both encouraging and challenging, this thorough biography leads the reader to rightly recognize Elaine Townsend as one of the great Christian women of the 20th century – a demonstration of what God can do with a willing heart.

About the Author

Simona Gorton is a writer, photographer, traveller, wife, and an international operations manager for 9Marks. Better Than we Dreamed is her first book.

Contents

1. A Place in Time
2. Herald of Things to Come
3. Eastern Sunrise, Western Glory
4. ‘Most Promising Young Protestant’
5. Charting Patterns of the Heart
6. Claiming a Path
7. A Lessening
8. ‘Best Job in the Outfit’
9. Spurring on and Pointing Upward
10. ‘Strengthening the Troops’
11. An Unexpected Development
12. Change and the Art of Learning
13. ‘The Unfolding of Your Word Gives Light’
14. Pitching Camp
15. Shining Forth the Gospel
16. Always Adventure
17. Joy in the Journey
18. Opening the Castle Doors
19. A Chart for their Pilgrimage
20. Family as Gospel Apologetic
21. A Woman of One Thing
22. ‘She Brought Makeup to the Jungle’
23. The Russian Frontier
24. ‘Rejoice With Us!’
25. The God Who Acts
26. And Yet He Leads On
27. Just as He Promised
28. Wounds of Love
29. Continuing Pursuit
30. ‘Such an Interesting Person’
31. ‘Not Just Somehow, but Triumphantly’
32. ‘A Grand Recruiter and a Grand Friend’
33. Glimpses of the Port
34. After the Last Mission