My 1st Book Review - Adoniram Judson

I don't talk about my marriage a whole lot on my blog but if I do it is usually some random facts like how we sing hymns and kid songs together and also how we are awesome and watch documentaries. Well, a while back we spotted a documentary on Myanmar / Burma and knew it was a must for our upcoming travels. 

Well! That documentary showed me that I'm going to go on some super bumpy and scary train rides The guy in the documentary was so scared he was chugging beer. I won't be doing that but it will be interesting. I also saw how they power their Ferris Wheels and you just need to watch this - it's super short. 

After I saw that video I e-mailed my friend to see if this really happens and her reply was "yes, I've ridden them." ha ha! I couldn't believe it. Then, Dave tells me he thinks it will be fun to ride on that! I told him I'd go but if someone died pushing me on a Ferris wheel that I'd feel simply terrible. 

After we watched that documentary I was so glad God didn't send us to Burma on 'Beka's timetable'. It made me realize I need to start studying the culture so I wouldn't be so shocked upon arrival. I want to know their history, what they eat, their customs, the people. etc. I want to be prepared. 

I e-mailed my friend who lives there requesting what to study and she recommended I read about Adoniram Judson - the first missionary to Burma. I read this book and was blown away. Missions had a whole new meaning then. 

Adoniram was the first American missionary ever! He read about Burma in a book and knew that was where God called him. Adoniram also knew that if he got married it meant that his wife might never come back home. You know how men get nervous to ask a girl's father if they can marry her? Well, I just want you to read what Adoniram wrote to Ann's (his girlfriend) parents: 

"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 a missionary life; whether you can consent to her exposure to the danger so the ocean; to the fatal influence of the southern climate o f [Burma]; 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?"

I have no words for that proposal. No words. The Dad said yes and so off to Burma Ann and Adoniram went. 

I want go into a ton of details but I will say that they endured extreme hardships such as 7 month boat rides, deaths, torture, and the list goes on BUT with that came extreme blessings with the biggest blessing of seeing souls saved! Adoniram was passionate about studying Hebrew and Greek and he translated the Bible (from Hebrew & Greek) into Burmese. That happened back in the 1800's and guess what you guys? That exact same Bible translation is being used today? How awesome is that! 

The Judson's also paved the way for missions into Burma. They blazed the trail and if it weren't for them who knows when the gospel of Jesus would have reached the Burmese people. 

If you are looking for a great book I highly highly recommend this one. I actually think this book was written for kids but it's packed with great information! 

Raise your hand if you want to come visit me in Burma next year and ride that Ferris wheel?