After spending time in India, Adoniram and Ann Judson faced what would be a difficult choice for most people: head back to the safety of America, or board a ship bound for unfamiliar Burma, where the gospel had never been preached. And while many people would head home, the Judsons knew that God was leading them to Burma.
Sickness and trial plagued the trip, with Ann losing their unborn baby, but they carried on and settled into their new mission field. They diligently studied the Burmese language for 12 hours a day, six days a week, so they could share the gospel with the Burmese people.
Ann and Adoniram trusted God and told many Burmese people about Jesus. But after the Judsons had worked there for six years, not a single person had become a Christian. The threat of death and the fear of persecution kept many people from hearing and understanding the truth of God's Word.
The Judsons built a small hut on the side of a busy road, and all kinds of people stopped by, including beggars, merchants, and Buddhists. They shared the truth about Jesus with anyone who would listen, and some of their visitors put their trust in Him.
During a war between Britain and Burma, Adoniram was sent to prison because the Burmese leaders thought all foreigners were spies for the British. Ann often visited and diligently pleaded for his release. At one point, to hide and protect the Burmese Bible transcripts, she sewed them into a pillow and smuggled it into Adoniram's jail cell.
However, he was separated from his treasure when officials transferred him to another prison. Adoniram prayed for the transcripts' safe keeping, and after a guard threw the pillow away, miraculously, a Burmese Christian found it and safely returned it to the Judsons. Adoniram was finally released after 18 months because the Burmese needed his skills to translate a peace treaty with the British.
Sadly, not longer after his release, Ann and her baby died from the ongoing sickness they had endured. Adoniram was overwhelmed with grief but still continued translating the Bible into Burmese. It took more than 25 years to complete. He worked in Burma for 37 years, and by the time he died, more than 7,000 people had converted to Christianity.
Adoniram and Ann Judson were dedicated and diligent people. Even though it took time to see the fruits of their labor, they carried on with their mission to bring the gospel to the Burmese people and translate the Bible into their language. There are many times in our lives when it seems that what we are working to do will never be accomplished, but the Judsons' story of diligence is an example of what can be achieved for the glory of God if we just have faith and perseverance.
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