Page 106 - GFA – A Different Drumbeat
P. 106
GFA – A Different Drumbeat 106
SKILLED NEGOTIATIONS
GFA had been a missionary now for 14 years, and in taking the direction in his ministry
which he had taken, it was obvious that he had a unique bundle of talents, gifts and skills.
Possibly because of his upbringing in China, he had become fluent in a number of
Chinese dialects;
As shown by his early membership of the Geographic Society, and his skill in
surveying situations and being able to analyze and report clearly to relevant
authorities, he showed a discerning and perceptive aspect to his character;
He was able to relate and build a rapport with almost anyone. His early contacts with
Muslim leaders, friendship with some of the brigand chiefs and his relationship with
government heads, both Chinese and overseas;
He was a man who had a potent capacity to communicate. This can be seen in his
ability to write, to tell a good story, to teach and to negotiate.
He would have to use all of these qualities to achieve success in negotiating for the
freedom of people who had been kidnapped by brigands or the Communists.
FATHER SANDS
His first request, while he was still in Hankow, was to try and negotiate the release of Father
Sands, an Irish priest captured by Communists in Hupeh a year before. There is not
available to us GFA’s own story of this episode, but we do have a newspaper clipping and
copies of letters between GFA and the British Consulate General.
SKILLED NEGOTIATIONS
GFA had been a missionary now for 14 years, and in taking the direction in his ministry
which he had taken, it was obvious that he had a unique bundle of talents, gifts and skills.
Possibly because of his upbringing in China, he had become fluent in a number of
Chinese dialects;
As shown by his early membership of the Geographic Society, and his skill in
surveying situations and being able to analyze and report clearly to relevant
authorities, he showed a discerning and perceptive aspect to his character;
He was able to relate and build a rapport with almost anyone. His early contacts with
Muslim leaders, friendship with some of the brigand chiefs and his relationship with
government heads, both Chinese and overseas;
He was a man who had a potent capacity to communicate. This can be seen in his
ability to write, to tell a good story, to teach and to negotiate.
He would have to use all of these qualities to achieve success in negotiating for the
freedom of people who had been kidnapped by brigands or the Communists.
FATHER SANDS
His first request, while he was still in Hankow, was to try and negotiate the release of Father
Sands, an Irish priest captured by Communists in Hupeh a year before. There is not
available to us GFA’s own story of this episode, but we do have a newspaper clipping and
copies of letters between GFA and the British Consulate General.
