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.

Maud fits that phrase like a glove – a lifetime spent following Jesus, a life of dedication in the service of the King of Kings,” he said. Prior to the attempt on her life, in the New Year’s Honours List of 2015, she was appointed an Officer of the British Empire (OBE) for ‘services to people in the Democratic Republic of Congo’ by the late Queen. That same year, she was named Belfast Telegraph ‘Women of the Year.’ Having won the overall title, she was also named ‘Inspiring Woman of the Year’. In 2019 she published her autobiography ‘An open door – A true story of courage in Congo.’

What site would you like to visit?

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’.” The funeral took place at at Molesworth Presbyterian Church in Cookstown (Presbyterian Church in Ireland handout/PA). Maud Kells lived "an absolutely outstanding life" says Rev Tom Greer who has known the brave missionary nurse for 22 years. In Maud’s case the answer isn’t complicated, she fell in love with Jesus and never left that commitment throughout her entire lifetime here on earth.”

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...Speaking about her, Dr Mawhinney said, “I was saddened to hear of the death of Maud Kells and would like to offer my condolences to her family and friends, both here in Ireland and the DRC, where she served God so faithfully and for so long. She was certainly part of a great generation of Christian womenwho demonstrated their love for Christ as they helped and supported others in need overseas.”

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’s call was for the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo, but we would do her a great injustice if we were to limit it to that,” he said.The committee of Bangor Worldwide Missionary Convention also shared their sadness at the "homecalling" of their dear friend, Maud. 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. As the mists cleared, I became conscious of hands cleaning me up, of faces hovering above me. I realised John, whom I had trained to take over from me in maternity, was erecting an intravenous drip to replace fluids. "You're alright, Mademoiselle. We've stopped the bleeding and dressed the wound. You're on the couch in your house and I'm just putting up this drip for you."

These last few weeks that she spent in Macmillan Cancer Unit in Antrim Area Hospital, she was very well looked after and has been able to spend quality time with family and friends... and chat with people and share their company." Ms Kells’ work was carried out through WEC International, an interdenominational mission agency of evangelical tradition. 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. 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.Ms Kells received an OBE for her work, which included overseeing the building of a maternity hospital, an operating theatre and a school. Maud’s story constantly reveals God’s provision and protection over her, both in DRC and further afield.