Mr Crooks said a phrase that made him think of Ms Kells was “A long obedience in the same direction”. Maud’s incredible story, told fully in her book An Open Door: A True Story of Courage in Congo, was written in collaboration with her close friend, Jean Gibson. When asked what she hopes her readers will take away from her testimony, Maud writes, “I trust they will praise and glorify our wonderful Lord Jesus, and that they will be challenged to serve Him too.” It doesn’t really get better than that! In the 1960s Maud received training for her mission work at the WEC Missionary Training College in Glasgow, Scotland However, not only was she a legend in her fields of work, she was also the most incredible and loving person who was admired by all,” she said.

In an age that is increasingly obsessed with personal agendas and material gain, we do well to stop for a moment and ask the question as to why someone would live a life that is so counter-cultural. Any movement I made set off waves of pain, but medication to treat the pain made me nauseated and sleepy. Trying to work out why I was feeling so ill and weak, I asked the doctor to cut down the medication. I began to feel better and decided I would rather have pain than the dreadful nausea... She always reasoned it to me by saying, ‘well in Africa we have to walk everywhere so if where I’m going is close enough, I’ll walk it’.” An Open Door: A True Story of Courage in the Congo is a fascinating and insightful read, taking the reader on a journey from her early years training as a nurse, midwife and missionary to her arrival, aged 25, in the Congo where she was replacing martyred missionaries.As it was, Maud spent an anxious seven minutes calling for help after being shot. She collapsed in the doorway of her home but people were afraid to come to her aid after hearing the shot. Today I know that you, her family and loved ones, will have many precious memories of her and the love, care and encouragement she provided as a sister, an aunt and a great aunt – things that others will know nothing of, and for those things we thank God.” The coffin of Maud Kells is carried into Molesworth Presbyterian Church in Cookstown (Claudia Savage/PA) It's a life of sacrificial service to other people and most importantly, from Maud's point of view, a life of committed service to God. That's always been the driving force behind everything that Maud did. In an age that is increasingly obsessed with personal agendas and material gain, we do well to stop for a moment and ask the question as to why someone would live a life that is so counter-cultural. Mourners attend the funeral of Maud Kells (Claudia Savage/PA) Photo: (1) Maud Kells taken taken in 2015 when she returned from the DRC (Credit Norman Bell) (2) with her Belfast Telegraph Woman of the Year Award the same year (Credit Belfast Telegraph)

Presbyterian Moderator, Right Reverend Dr Sam Mawhinney, said he was saddened to hear of her passing at the Macmillan Unit of Antrim Area Hospital on Thursday. I had no fear. I was very conscious of God's presence surrounding me and the Holy Spirit's whisper that He was in complete control of the whole situation. He reminded me of Scriptures that had been precious over the years: 'The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in' (Psalm 121:8, esv); 'My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth' (Psalm 121:2, esv). While I was standing there with no physical help appearing, I thought, "Lord, are you taking me now?" I prayed my daily prayer whatever the situation: "Forgive me, Lord, for anything I've done wrong." Then I added: "I'm ready to go, Lord. But there are a few things I'd like to finish off on earth before I go."

Set Reminder

Ms Kells received an OBE for her work, which included overseeing the building of a maternity hospital, an operating theatre and a school. Maud Kells was a missionary nurse (Adrian Robinson/PA) Our resourceful hospital secretary lifted my camera from a nearby cupboard and began taking photographs of all that was happening, building up a photographic record of the night. Among them are pictures of the chief and police interviewing me in my semi-conscious state at 3am. Maud recalls: "We had been told to lay white sheets on the airstrip so that the pilots would know it was safe to land but rebel supporters had removed them. Maud will be laid to rest in Moneymore following a funeral service at Molesworth Presbyterian Church, Cookstown on Sunday, 29 October at 2.15pm which will also be broadcast online.

Maud, who was shot just days after being awarded an MBE and is also a former Belfast Telegraph Woman of the Year winner, went on to spend five decades there, providing maternity care and working to build a hospital and nursery in the rainforest village of Mulita. Having suffered from hearing problems all her life, it was ironic that she should be the first to respond to my screams. As she joined in my attempt to call for help, Mado shouted: "Mademoiselle is dead! Mademoiselle is dead!" The centre now delivers thirty new-borns each month, with many of the children born there coming to faith in the church attached to the clinic. It was at her home within this complex that Maud was shot in 2015, whilst bandits attempted to rob her house. Nonetheless, Maud’s commitment to the maternity centre and her practical ministry in DRC remained strong and her faith unshaken by the shooting.The country had a fine infrastructure, with roads well maintained by the owners of the coffee, tea, cotton and rubber plantations, who also gave employment to local people and sourced goods from them. There were banks and post offices and other essential services. On her return to her home, two men wearing camouflage uniforms ran towards her. One was carrying a gun covered in leaves to disguise it. She thought it was a piece of wood and tried to disarm the robber. At midday everyone was relieved when plane engines were heard overhead. The MAF pilot was Jon Cadd, a good friend. He came with other good friends of mine, German missionaries Dr Matthias and Sabine Holmer, who were based at Nebobongo. As soon as they heard what had happened, they volunteered to come down and help with the evacuation. Jon was delayed first by bad weather at Nyankunde and then needed to fly to Nebobongo to collect Matthias and Sabine, so eventually reached Mulita 12 hours after the shooting. By then I was almost unaware of what was happening, though I had a vague sense of people coming into the house.

The committee of Bangor Worldwide Missionary Convention also shared their sadness at the "homecalling" of their dear friend, Maud.Suddenly we heard the sound of two planes approaching. I was wearing a white anorak and one missionary grabbed it from me and threw it on the ground. It was the signal the pilots were waiting for and they landed.