Kitty Anna Griffiths Archives - Finding direction

15 January 2015

Remembering Mrs. G

We recently received the sad news that Kitty Anna Griffiths, known around the world as “Mrs. G”, went to be with her Lord on the 7th of November 2014.

My parents and I were acquainted with Mrs. Griffiths and her husband, Dr. Gerald Griffiths, when we lived in Ontario. But more-so my family has known Mrs. G through her Bible stories, which have been translated into Farsi, Portuguese, Japanese, Mandarin, Rumanian, Norwegian, Khmer, Nepali, Amharic, Spanish, and Russian.

The Griffiths spent years ministering in the United Kingdom, South Africa, and Canada. In 1973, Mrs. G began recording Bible stories, the “nice” ones as well as the “nasty” ones. In all she recorded nearly 500 stories.

The stories came alive because of her deep study of the Scriptures, as well as her knowledge of history and geography. Many times she visited Israel to research her stories, and from her travels come the flowers and critters that likely surrounded the Bible characters we know and love. Kitty Anna Griffiths

You can read more about the ministry in the post I wrote a few years ago – A Visit with Mrs. G.

In October Mrs. G was still working in the ministry, at the age of 95. She had a fall, and was hospitalized until her death in November. It was soon before her 71st wedding anniversary.

As I write, the website has not yet been updated with the news. We received the update via newsletter from her husband.

In the midst of grieving, the ministry continues. Dr. Griffiths asked for prayer, and I thought I’d share those prayer requests with you:

Translations need to be done and put online. The current focus will be Spanish, Arabic, and Chinese, though other languages are in the works as well.
Translating is not just a matter of changing words. The stories need to be edited and evaluated by native speakers. Lively native voices need to be found to bring the stories to life. Funding will be needed. At this time, the Trans World Radio China team is working on the project in Chinese.

When we drove last year to Canada, I made it a goal that we would listen to all of Mrs. G’s stories from the New Testament – and we succeeded! Once or twice I have called or emailed Dr. and Mrs. Griffiths and their team to discuss Spanish translation – of course we would especially appreciate your prayers that quality Spanish translation could be done.

Meanwhile, I suspect Mrs. G is checking out some of the details she’s wondered about with Moses and David and Paul – and, of course, worshiping the Lord she loved. When we see her next, will she still be telling stories? I wouldn’t be surprised!

10 November 2007

A Visit with Mrs. G

Jim Misc 12

She sounds like everyone’s favourite grandma. Her voice is warm as she tells stories from the Bible in language that children can understand. Her British accent turns into a dozen different accents from all over the islands as she speaks for one Bible character, and then another. Her name? Mrs. G.

Well, actually Kitty Anna Griffiths. Mrs. G started her ministry in 1973, recording children’s stories and broadcasting them on the radio. Her books, with whimsical illustrations by "Willy", shared the same stories. The ministry, still going strong today, is run out of Toronto, Ontario.

Joshua and the Neighbour's Ruse by Mrs G

I met her on at least one occasion. Between the English accent and fancy hats she might make you think of the Queen – perhaps Mrs. G is the queen of storytelling. 🙂

You may wonder what’s so interesting about someone telling Bible stories, without a 300 person professional cast and the backing of a major Christian label. But there’s a lot more to Mrs. G than meets the eye.

Not just another story teller, Mrs. G has done her homework. For one thing, she has a doctorate in literature from Biola University. She has also done impressive historical research, and has visited Israel six times (three times as a special guest of the Israeli government!) to learn about the locations where the people lived. She even travelled to Greece and Rome to work on her series on Acts.

This background knowledge shows up in the rich and accurate details in the stories. The stories don’t just hit highlights, either – Mrs. G starts at Adam and Eve and works her way through the Bible, telling both the "nice and nasty" stories in a way that children can relate to (how about a story about the cities of refuge? Or Job (one of my favourites)? Or Jephthath?) . The quality of her stories and biblical insight are enough for adults to enjoy as well!

The stories have gone beyond Bible stories – she tells other stories sharing Bible truths, and of all things she did a series on the Dead Sea Scrolls!

As the years went on, the stories became even better with fuller orchestral music and richer sound effects. The stories on now produced on CD. They have been translated into about 20 languages so far, such as Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, and Tamil. (Incidentally, the Spanish recordings are no longer available, but there are 4 Spanish books that are in print)

I was curious to hear what was new with the ministry, so this week I called the office. Dr. and Mrs. Griffiths were both working in the office, and I was transferred to her husband. Dr. Gerald Griffiths was a pastor for many years in Toronto.

He told me that they are busier than ever there. They have no way to know how many stations around the world are now broadcasting the radio show, but there are many. When he heard I was calling from Mexico, he graciously offered to send me the 4 Spanish books (which I’m looking forward to reading).

You can catch A Visit with Mrs. G online at various times on Saturdays and Sundays. For the next broadcast time, check out the handy radiotime website.

Better yet, you can order the stories from their office ("the Granary"). I believe they also have a club where you can get a recording each month. They will send you a catalogue if you request one. Hannah and Nathanael have been enjoying listening to Mrs. G lately – maybe your kids will too! Here’s how you can contact them:

A Visit With Mrs. G
P.O. Box 150
Station O
Toronto, ON
M4A2M8
CANADA
(416) 755-5918
Update: www.biblestoriesalive.org
(You can find some of the books used at amazon.com (here’s what’s currently available), but for the recordings (and most of the books) your best bet is the ministry itself).