Grasping Heaven: A Young Doctor's Journey to China and Beyond

By Annelies and Einar Wilder-Smith

Grasping Heaven is the story of a young lady doctor from Denver – Dr. Tami Fisk. Her journey led her to do pioneer work among the Yi minority in the Great Cold Mountains of West China. After three years her promising time in China was cut short as she was diagnosed with malignant melanoma. The ensuing story is her final journey that ultimately led to her death. A story of faith, courage and a remarkable sense of humor.

Grasping Heaven also reveals the striking parallels of Dr. Fisk and the life of Dr. Broomhall, who forty years ago was the first to work among the Yi. His time was cut short due to the communist take over. After three years he had to leave the country.

With excerpts from Tami's journal, the book shares her anecdotes and observations of the Yi people in China, in particular her stories of being a ‘Martian’.

“I have recently come to a startling conclusion: I am, in fact, a Martian. Let me explain….”
“Since being in Zhaojue, many people have gaped at me with looks that can only mean they’ve discovered a life form never encountered before. Whenever I did anything, such as speak, eat, or buy things, they would congregate around me, watch in awe, and discuss it among themselves, probably commenting on how human (or not) my actions appeared. Whenever I was inside a place with windows, people would come in waves for a glimpse of this new creature.” - “Though to be fair, I’m equally fascinated with the Yi’s faces, each of which tells a different story

Also included are some of her most famous stories are her culinary adventures.
“Drunken Shrimp. Have you ever tried that? These are the freshest shrimp I’ve ever eaten. They certainly were not overcooked. They weren’t even dead. In this local specialty, the chef takes live shrimp and marinates them in a series of sauces, letting them flush out their little digestive tracts. They are served in a mixture of alcohol, chili, and other spices. The ones on the bottom of the dish are in a drunken stupor, but the ones on top, because they’re not fully soaking in the alcohol mixture, tend to wake up and start moving. Once one jumped out of the dish! The key is to take on that is not moving, and hope that is doesn’t sober up on the way to your mouth…’cause it’ s rude to throw it back!”

Along with the interesting, and often funny entries included in Grasping Heaven, the book provides an introduction to the new organization named ‘MSI’ which was founded by Dr Jim Taylor III, the great-grandson of Hudson Taylor. The amazing history ‘of how God hath wrath’ (the words of Dr. Taylor) blends into Tami’s life story.

It also gives a glimpse into the life and beliefs of the Yi people– a plight that will hopefully attract some readers to consider living and working among them. Finally, Tami’s insights on ‘heaven’ are an encouragement and will serve as an eye-opener to many readers.