One of my classes this semester is Women & Missions. A class of only 15 girls. We discuss anything and everything that deals with women and foreign missions. One of our assignments was to research a pioneer missionary women and then give a first person presentation on that person. Last week one of my classmates told the story of Ann Hasseltine Judson, the wife of Adoniram Judson - missionary to Burma. Her story was quite tragic and horrible. All three of her kids died and then she died at the age of 38. But what really stood out to me was the following letter written by Adoniram to Ann's father asking for permission to marry his daughter.
"I have now to ask, whether you can consent to part with your daughter early next spring, to see her no more in this world; whether you can consent to her departure, and her subjection to the hardships and sufferings of missionary life; whether you can consent to her exposure to the dangers of the ocean, to the fatal influence of the southern climate of India; to every kind of want and distress; to degradation, insult, persecution, and perhaps a violent death. Can you consent to all this, for the sake of him who left his heavenly home, and died for her and for you; for the sake of perishing, immortal souls; for the sake of Zion, and the glory of God? Can you consent to all this, in hope of soon meeting your daughter in the world of glory, with the crown of righteous, brightened with the acclamations of praise which shall redound to her Savior from heathens saved, through her means, from eternal woe and despair?"
Surprisingly, Ann's father allowed Adoniram to marry his daughter and take her away. And, sadly she did die a tragic death. Reading and hearing the stories of all of these pioneer missionaries has made me very thankful to be a missionary in this day and age, where there is much more support and help for missionaries. And, thankfully, I could also Skype home and see my family. It doesn't necessarily mean that missionary work is easy today, however it has improved so much since the pioneer days.
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