"Faithful Joy"

You are about to read what could possibly be called the most unusual proposal of marriage ever. This is a letter written by Adoniram Judson, the great missions pioneer to Burma, to the father of Ann Hasseltine, the woman who would one day become his wife, asking for his permission to marry her. Judson does not mince words; in fact his honesty is brutal, but his passion is soul-stirring.

"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 righteousness, brightened with the acclamations of praise which shall redound to her Savior from heathens saved, through her means, from eternal woe and despair?"

"Her father let her decide. She said yes." (Don't Waste Your Life: by John Piper pg.158)

By the way, Ann died in Burma as did Adoniram. They sacrificed everything for the One to whom they committed their lives.

In less than four months I will be embarking on a year-long short-term missions trip to Peru, South America. The very thought makes my heart race with excitement. I love missions. Although it is not likely that my trip will be filled with the dangers and hardships that the Judsons had to face I find myself asking, "Would I be willing to suffer as they did all for the glory of Christ?" "Am I willing to commit not just to a year, but to a lifetime of foreign missions service if that is what God should choose for my life?"

My prayer is that my answer will be a resounding 'yes.'




"God does not call us to ease, but to faithful joy. He is closing in on some of you, smiling and with tears in his eyes, knowing how much of himself he is going to show you—and how much it will cost." -John Piper