Unusual Faith

 

Faces of History

Cycle three

Asha Singapogu

Unusual Faith

            The savage land of Burma were no Christians had ever been I knew this was the place for me. My childhood prepared me for what was ahead my early years in ministry strengthen me in the faith and my last years were a good influence to the world.

            On December 22, 1789, I was born into a large and wealthy family in Bradford, Massachusetts. My family was made up of three girls and one boy including me.[2] As a young woman I was about five foot five inches and had olive skin and jet-black curls.  I had stunning blue eyes which were always filled with laughter. [2] About when I was fifteen, I traveled to visit my Aunt who was a strong believer, and I became a Christian. Soon after this my family which were not believers, quickly followed in giving their lives to Jesus. One night we hosted a gest for supper. It was a young man who I had heard lots about. His name was Andoniram Judson. To be honest, at first I was quite disappointed in the young man. He just sat there as white as could be, just fiddling with his food. Later he told me it was because he was so stunned by me. Adoniram and I got married a few months later on February 5, 1812. The next day my husband was ordained. Although we were making preparations to share God’s word overseas, we had not the slightest idea what God had in store for us. My childhood prepared me for what was ahead.

            [2]On February 18, thirteen days after our wedding, Andoniram and I set sail for India. [3]Quickly I became ill. On the ship gave birth to a son who was born dead. [1] About the time we arrived in India, we decided that we agreed more with the Baptist than the congregationalist who had been our sending sporters, so William Carey baptized us. [3]Sadly, the British East India Company would not allow any more missionaries to India. So, we traveled on to the savage land of Burma bravely .[2] When we arrived, I gave birth to a son who was a beautiful child. We played with him every evening when Andoniram was finished translating the Bible into to Burmias.[3] Sadly at 8 months old our son died. Eight years later we took in two burmes foster children. We named them Abbey and Marry after my two sisters. Soon after we moved to Ava, the king’s city. There I started a school for girls. Sometimes when I was ill, I taught from my bed. Things where going well until we heard news of war! Things were uncertain but we trusted God.

There was a war escalating  quickly between Burma and Britain. This meant trouble for Adoniram and me. Because of our pale skin we were suspected as spies even though we were American and not British.[3] Suddenly, one evening the “spotted faces” who were criminals who led the prison appeared at our door and took adoniram to the death prison. While Adoniram was in prison I gave birth to a little girl. Her name was maria. Every day I walked across the hot Burma ‘land walked eight miles with the baby to deliver food to Adoniram. One day I presented him with the precious translation of the Burmese bible in a pillow to protect it from the spotted faces. soon after adoniram was released to translate the king’s letter of surrender. Sadly not long after my husband’s release I died on October 22, 1826. My husband and I are still remembered to this day as the first American overseas missionaries. My bravery and trust in God at all times is one that is unusual and remarkable.

            Having faith at all times and not giving- up is a necessary skill. It teaches you to trusting god at all times no mater your circumstances.

 

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