Eva TRUDINGER

TRUDINGER, EVA (NÉE BELL) (b. Vic, 1872; d. Adelaide, SA, 22 March 1950). Missionary.

MB Trudinger sailed from Melbourne to China in 1897 as Eva Bell aged 24 as a CIM missionary. In January 1902 she married August Trudinger (q.v.) and together they served on the field for over 40 years.

In her testimony at a farewell gathering before her departure she stated: 'A little over twelve months ago the Lord called me to China. A student was speaking on the need of China ... He said, "Is there not one ... who can go to China for Christ's sake?" It seemed to me that God spoke to me, and I stood up and said, "The Lord has called and I will go ... it is just wonderful how the peace of God has come into my heart ... If you will come right out and trust Jesus, you will find how He comes into your heart and gives you something so much better than all this world can give ..."' (China's Millions, Nov 1897).

Mrs Trudinger's service was rendered in Shansi until 1940 when missionary effort was terminated in that province due to the Japanese occupation. Her last years were spent in Honan where her husband predeceased her. She spent another two years after her husband's death serving in Honan and then retired to Australia. MB Trudinger endeared herself both to the Chinese and missionaries alike. She was fondly known as Grandma Doo by many of the younger workers and was a valued adviser to new missionaries. Mrs Trudinger had a deep love for Christ and an unremitting faithfulness to her Lord. She was a prayer warrior to the end.

R Becker, Geschichte der Familie Schammer (Herrnhut, 1922); China's Millions, Australasian Editions (OMF Archives, Melbourne) Nov 1897; May 1950

C D TRUDINGER