Lottie Moon served as a missionary to China from 1873 until her death on Christmas Eve 1912. Because of strict Chinese cultural traditions, it was impossible for male missionaries to communicate directly with Chinese women in order to share the gospel. Lottie saw this as a unique opportunity for women missionaries like herself and readily undertook the challenge. Being a stranger in a foreign land brought unique difficulties to the young, inexperienced American. Wherever she went, Chinese children would surround her asking all sorts of intrusive questions and often taunted her with calls of "foreign devil." Lottie, however, saw the children as the way to open the doors to their homes and families. She determined to win them over, and what better way to do this than with cookies? At first the children refused the "tea cakes," fearing that they were poisoned. But after partaking of the delicious treats, the children soon began to call Lottie "The Cookie Lady" and gladly brought her home where she could share the Good News of Christ with Chinese women for the first time. Lottie described her new acquaintances in this manner: “The Chinese are a kind-hearted, friendly race when once you know them and come to live among them in a familiar way."

 

And to think, it was a cookie that opened doors for this amazing missionary!