Ann Judson, part 10: Missing in Action

After years of Ann's “Egyptian darkness," the sun rose over Rangoon in the fall of 1816. When George and Phebe Hough arrived from India in October, the Judsons were thrilled. They were no longer alone. A further reason for rejoicing was the printing press that came with the Houghs. Judson would now be able to print his tracts and translations of Scripture passages.

The following February marked 5 years since the Judsons had left home, but Hough recorded that Adoniram was still not preaching publicly. Judson had begun conversations with people as soon as he could speak basic Burmese. But both men agreed that until they had more Scripture translated, their preaching efforts would be hindered.

Life for the Judsons continued to be like the waves that had brought them to Burma. Up and then down, up and then down. The Houghs were a high point, but inconstant health was a low. They had expected that their health would suffer in Burma, and they were not mistaken. Usually, only one of them would be sick at a time, so they were able to care for each other. December 1817 was a season of poor health for Adoniram, and he decided to take a trip with two purposes. A voyage to Chittagong (500 miles north of Rangoon, in today's Bangladesh) would accomplish two things: his health might improve and he would be able to bring back a Christian native who spoke Burmese. Having such an assistant would be a great help to his missionary activity.

Judson expected to be gone for three months. Any separation, especially by sea, was unsettling in those days. Once he left there would be no way to communicate with each other. Since the Houghs were now in Rangoon, Ann would not be alone, but the next months would be a test unlike any she had faced before. She had lost a son, but in nine months time, she came close to losing the mission.

The trouble began when Judson's ship was not able to navigate north, and was instead blown west, toward India. The captain hoped to make land in Madras, but missed that port as well. Madras was already 1,000 sea miles from Rangoon, but by the time the ship docked, it was nowhere near Madras!

Judson was off course, in the wrong country, and far behind schedule. He had to travel 300 weary land miles just to get to Madras. Once he reached Madras, he could not find a ship to take him back to Rangoon. His health evidently had improved, but from a human perspective, this trip had been a complete failure and waste of time. He, like we, must have wondered why God allows such inefficiencies in the middle of kingdom service.

Not until July 20, 1818, was Judson able to get a ship for Burma. By then, eight months had gone by. Eight months when he wasn't translating or speaking the gospel to the Burmese. Eight months of Ann wondering where he was, and if he were still alive.