Alden E. Matthews facts for kids

Alden Ewart Matthews (Chinese: 麻安德; pinyin: Má Āndé; September 10, 1921 – October 8, 2014) was a Christian missionary. He worked with the Congregational Church. He spent much of his life helping people in China and Japan.

Alden E. Matthews: A Life of Service

Early Years and Family

Growing Up in China

Alden Matthews was born in Chicago, USA, in 1921. When he was just one year old, he moved to North China. His parents, Harold and Grace Matthews, were also missionaries. They worked for the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions.

Alden learned to speak Mandarin Chinese as his first language. He spent his childhood living in several Chinese cities. These included Beijing, Dezhou, Tianjin, and Fenzhou.

College and First Marriage

In 1937, Alden returned to the United States. He went there to continue his education. He later graduated from Grinnell College in Iowa. He also studied at Chicago Theological Seminary.

As a young man, he served in the Navy. He worked as a chaplain, which is like a minister for military members. On June 15, 1944, he married Derrith Jane Lovell. She was a classmate from college. Their first child was born in 1946.

Helping Others in China

In 1947, Alden, his wife, and their baby daughter went back to China. He was sent to Fuzhou to work. He helped the churches in the Mid-Fujian Synod of the Church of Christ in China.

At first, he worked in Changle. His job was to help make the churches in that area stronger. In 1948, he moved to Fuzhou city. There, he taught agricultural engineering at Union High School.

Challenges and Changes

In 1949, he moved again within Fuzhou. He worked as a contact person for the Congregational Church in America. During this time, his second daughter was born.

Things became difficult in August 1949. The Chinese Communist Party took control of Fuzhou. Alden chose to stay and continue his mission work. However, he soon realized that foreign missionaries were no longer helpful. In December 1950, he and his family had to leave China.

Years in Japan

New Beginnings and Family

After leaving China, Alden studied for a year in Union Theological Seminary, New York. In 1952, he was sent to Japan. There, he did many different jobs. He taught and helped manage the United Church of Christ in Japan. His third child was born while they were living in Japan.

Community Involvement

Alden lived in Japan for a long time. He was an active member of several groups. He belonged to the League of Women Voters. He was also a Rotarian Emeritus. He was a member of Crystal Beach Community Church. He served on many important boards in Japan.

His first wife, Derrith, passed away on January 17, 1986. She was buried in Aoyama Cemetery in Tokyo. On November 1, 1986, Alden officially retired. He continued to live in Japan until 1995.

Later Life and Legacy

A New Chapter and His Book

In 1996, Alden married again. He married Sallie Parks, whom he had met in Japan in 1986. She was also working there at the time.

In 2007, Alden published his autobiography. It was called My Three Worlds (ISBN: 9781434318459). In this book, he shared his inspiring stories. He wrote about his experiences in China, America, and Japan.

Final Years

Alden spent his last twenty years living in Palm Harbor, Florida. He lived there with his wife, Sallie. He passed away on October 8, 2014. He was 93 years old.