Ann was the first woman missionary to leave America. It was unthinkable then for women to travel to remote places to work among the unsaved in primitive surroundings. But Ann Judson insisted on going; knowing this was God’s call for her. She wanted to be used by God and prayed, “Direct me in Your service, and I ask no more. I would not choose my position of work, or place of service. Only let me know Your will, and I will readily comply”.
She and her new husband, Adoniram Judson started their extensive missionary work in Burma and began learning the language. Eventually, Ann’s husband Adoniram translated the Scriptures and within three years after that they’d translated the Gospel of Matthew. Ann served tirelessly drawing the women there to salvation through Christ. In 1823, war broke out between Britain and Burma, the Burmese thought the Americans were friends of the British and Adoniram was thrown into prison. He was eventually released, but Ann and their infant daughter grew ill and succumbed within 6 months of each other.
They had set an original goal of translating the Bible and founding a church of 100 members before their death. By 1850, they left the Bible, 100 churches, and over 8,000 believers. Ann’s story of enduring love for Christ encouraged many other women to serve Christ on the foreign mission field. ~Adapted from Historymakers.info
Today, may our hearts also pray “Only let me know Your will, and I will readily comply”.
Pastor Sandy