Maud Kells: Fearless in the Forest (Trail Blazers)

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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.” She was 75 when she was hit at point blank range after grabbing hold of the gun as a bandit opened fire during an attempted robbery. It's a life of sacrificial service to other people and most importantly, from Maud's point of view, a life of committed service to God. That's always been the driving force behind everything that Maud did. Family flowers only please. Donations in lieu, if desired, payable to Steenson Funeral Services (Charities a/c), 11 Loy Street, Cookstown, BT80 8PZ for W.E.C. International.

They added: "As Maud always said, "To Him be the Glory". We're upholding her family and church in prayer."

Let your light shine

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. I’ve read a lot of Missionary biographies and one thing that has been strikingly similar is their use of ‘Daily Light’ - a devotional for each morning and evening. Maud also used this - her copy was tatty from much use! Ms Kells received an OBE for her work, which included overseeing the building of a maternity hospital, an operating theatre and a school. Maud Kells was a missionary nurse (Adrian Robinson/PA) Adapting to working in turbulent situations, Maud worked in South Sudan between 1998 and 2002 as it was too dangerous for mission work in DRC. Reflecting on this chapter of her work, Maud writes, “I maintain that one can adapt to any situation if they have the right mind-set.” Certainly, Maud’s testimony stands as an incredible reminder of finding new faith and dynamic spiritual growth during turbulent and unpredictable experiences. Upon each return to DRC, Maud explains that words from scripture encouraged her to persevere and trust in God’s leading – a practice that sustained her spiritually throughout her life. Ms Kells, who was from Cookstown, trained as a nurse in Belfast before starting her life-long work in DRC against the wishes of her family. Her calling saw her train nurses across DRC, provide maternity care and help build a hospital and nursery. She later became a missionary with WEC International.

For nearly 50 years she worked tirelessly and relatively unknown, outside of WEC and her congregation, until 2015. It was in the January of that year she came to national prominenceafter being shot one night by bandits in the village of Mulita, in the north east of the country. At the time she was 75.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. Maud’s incredible story, told fully in her book An Open Door: A True Story of Courage in Congo, was written in collaboration with her close friend, Jean Gibson. When asked what she hopes her readers will take away from her testimony, Maud writes, “I trust they will praise and glorify our wonderful Lord Jesus, and that they will be challenged to serve Him too.” It doesn’t really get better than that! Our resourceful hospital secretary lifted my camera from a nearby cupboard and began taking photographs of all that was happening, building up a photographic record of the night. Among them are pictures of the chief and police interviewing me in my semi-conscious state at 3am. Presbyterian Moderator, Right Reverend Dr Sam Mawhinney, said he was saddened to hear of her passing at the Macmillan Unit of Antrim Area Hospital on Thursday. Mademoiselle is dying! Mademoiselle is dying!" A Congolese friend, Mado, visiting me in Mulita, appeared from the guest house where she was staying.

These last few weeks that she spent in Macmillan Cancer Unit in Antrim Area Hospital, she was very well looked after and has been able to spend quality time with family and friends... and chat with people and share their company." 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." 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.

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.

During her final visit to the country she was awarded a Medaille du Merite Civique by the governor in Kunda, for services to the DRC.Maud certainly impacted the lives of many people here but the real legacy of Maud's lies in the heart of Africa - it lies in eastern Congo. She had a deep spiritual impact on people's lives.. but there's no doubt she saved the lives of many people in her medical work. 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. 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.