Eva Spink arrived at Oswald Chambers‘ Bible Training College in 1913 and was immediately popular.
She took the close relationship to God she developed at the BTC into a lifelong ministry to everyday people from Egypt to England.
Eva became one of Biddy Chambers’ closest friends.
A surprising beginning
One of three daughters raised in a Plymouth Brethren family, Eva grew up on a comfortable Kent estate.
Her fine arts dealer father received a royal warrant in 1900 to provide medals for Queen Victoria. But Eva was interested in more spiritual work.
Eva’s diary provides glimpses of a vivid young woman who loved her friends, particularly the Chambers family, deeply.
Twenty years old when she began studies at the BTC, Eva “Sphinx” played the piano with a ready smile but didn’t know what she wanted to do with her life.
Eva’s BTC essays and responses to Oswald’s teaching show enthusiasm for God and her studies.
She enjoyed caring for the infant Kathleen at the college and traveled with the family when they vacationed in Askrigg in 1915.
Upon his departure for Egypt, Oswald took time to write Eva’s parents a note:
“I cannot leave England without, on behalf of Mrs. Chambers and myself, thanking you for allowing your daughter to be so much with us. Her company has been and is a great delight.”
World War I
When the BTC closed in July 1915, Eva Spink, Kathleen Ballinger, and Gladys Ingram all applied to join the YMCA work in Egypt.
They assisted Biddy during the three months she waited to travel to Egypt and once Biddy set sail, Eva sent the telegram to Oswald announcing their departure.
At Zeitoun YMCA camp. (Wheaton College photo)
The three eager women finally journeyed to Egypt on the SS Medina in late summer 1916.
Once arrived, and following a reunion with the “BTC Expeditionary Force,” they went to Alexandria with Miss Ashe to work at a Soldier’s Home.
Within a short period of time, Eva moved south to stay at Zeitoun where she helped with Kathleen and in the kitchen.
She lived in a small mat hut near the Chambers bungalow and everyone appreciated her cheerfulness.
Her vivid personality made her popular with the soldiers.
Eva kept a prayer diary during her time at Zeitoun and one day wrote, “O, Lord, Thou knowest what a chaos it all seems sometimes.”
The YMCA camp was a busy place.
Private Stephen Pulford
Meanwhile, Private Stephen Pulford was drawn to the Zeitoun camp despite his non-interest in religious matters.
He avoided Oswald, Biddy, and the other YMCA workers.
Except for that one woman, Eva, who captured his attention.
Stephen Pulford (Wheaton College photo)
About the Zeitoun YMCA camp, Stephen wrote,
“the openhearted welcome I received overcame my reserve and their bungalow became a home from home.”
Later, he became as
“one of the family, during which time I was, no doubt, subconsciously absorbing a way of life which was new to me.
Not once, however, was I approached on spiritual matters; if I had been; it might have put me off forever.”
Stephen eventually became a believer.
Oswald’s Death
When Oswald Chambers fell ill with appendicitis and finally went to the Red Cross Hospital at the foot of the pyramids, the Zeitoun YMCA camp prayed for his healing.
Eva wrote many fervent prayers for Oswald. Here’s one example:
“O Lord, when are you going to touch my beloved Captain and make him better?
Please do it soon–Lord you know just what is the matter with him. Please arise with healing in your wings for him.”
Unfortunately, Oswald died two weeks later.
Eva Spink (Wheaton College photo)
The head of the YMCA in Egypt, William Jepson, arranged for Biddy and Kathleen to go away following Oswald’s November 11, 1917 death.
Biddy asked Eva to accompany them as they spent a week in Luxor and a second week at an estate along the Nile River.
Eva may very well have been the only person who saw Biddy cry over Oswald’s death.
Afterward, Biddy wrote to Eva’s parents telling them how much Eva’s brave spirit and never-wavering faith meant to her on the trip.
Return to England and life in a new world
Eva Spink and Gladys Ingram repatriated to England in early 1919. Both women planned to marry.
Even from afar, Biddy counseled Eva and wrote warm letters about her growing relationship to the now ex-soldier Stephen Pulford.
They rejoiced together when Stephen found his footing with God and ultimately attended the London College of Divinity to become an Anglican priest.
Biddy would have been on hand at their 1920 wedding near London, and the newlyweds attended evening studies of Oswald’s books with her and other BTC regulars.
The Reverend and Mrs. Pulford ultimately had a daughter Lois and a son Ian. They settled into parish life in Herefordshire.
Later ministry to Biddy
Biddy and Eva grew old together, writing letters back and forth and occasionally visiting.
A gift to the Pulfords of Oswald Chambers: His Life and Works (Pulford family photo)
They knew each other’s children and kept tabs on many of their BTC friends.
Biddy sent copies of Oswald’s books to Eva and Stephen, inscribing them with love.
She wrote to Eva the day after the Nazi Luftwaffe dropped bombs on her neighborhood!
In describing the event, Biddy returned to spiritual truths, as always, noting “Seeing it all is as bad as hearing it, but it is made possible to look at the things not seen, so the seen things don’t dominate.”
Eva remained faithful to all the work and lectures done by Oswald Chambers, in particular, My Utmost for His Highest.
Her son, Canon Ian Pulford, noted his mother was always quoting from My Utmost.
According to her family, Eva was a veritable Bible concordance. “She wore out Bibles,” her grandson said.
Eva’s years at the Bible Training College were well spent.
She grieved mightily when her dear friend Biddy Chambers died in 1966.
The Reverend Stephen Pulford wrote Biddy’s obituary for The Life of Faith Magazine in February 1966.
Rev. Stephen and Eva Spink Pulford (Pulford family photo)
Effect of the Bible Training College on Eva Spink’s life
Oswald and Biddy Chambers’s goal for the Bible Training College was to prepare people to share the good news of Jesus Christ to the world–in whatever capacity they found themselves.
Eva supported her husband in his ministry. She wrote letters to missionaries and encouraged Biddy in her mission to produce Oswald’s books.
She raised wonderful children, prayed, and studied the Bible. Eva read and reread Oswald Chambers’ books her entire life.
Eva Spink Pulford died in September 1977.
The start of a letter Oswald Chambers wrote to Eva Spink (Wheaton archives)
A BTC paper graded by Oswald Chambers (Wheaton archives)
Tweetables
What happened to the woman Oswald Chambers called “Sphinx?” Click to Tweet
How Oswald Chambers’ Bible Training College prepared a woman to serve as a WWI missionary and in the Church of England. Click to Tweet
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