You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.

Revelation  2:3  -  NIV

Despite the toll of lives, most mission boards of the early 1800s had no problem filling the ranks.  At a camp meeting in New York, Dr. Nathan Bangs, the secretary of a Methodist mission, was handed a note that read,  "A sister ... is willing to give her life as a female teacher if she wanted."


Ann Wilkins was wanted!  She volunteered in spite of knowing upon his arrival in West Africa in 1833, the first Methodist missionary had died of African fever.  Two couples and a single woman were appointed to fill the ranks.  One couple died within three months.  Broken in health, the other couple returned home.  The single missionary endured more than twenty attacks of fever before she also left the field.


Ann, a young widow, described as a "born teacher," sailed for Liberia in 1837.  She established a boarding school for girls and started a school for orphans that eventually became Millsburg Female Academy, the first American Methodist school for girls overseas.  Twice Ann returned to the United States for health reasons.  Despite attacks of malaria, she risked her life and stayed at her post for nineteen years.


The keys to surviving precarious situations are persistence and faith.  And Ann Wilkins had plenty of both!  Dire situations may also be part of your life, but as you persist, God will use these trials for His glory and the good of many.


Taken from  "Daily Devotions for Women"
                      by  Jewell Johnson
                      Day 109

 By me kings reign and rulers issue decrees that are just;
 by me princes govern,and nobles—all who rule on earth.


Proverbs  8:15-16  -  NIV

Before Victoria was crowned queen of England in 8137, she requested two hours of solitude while she prayed for wisdom and guidance to rule her people.


Was her request granted?  During her sixty-four-year reign, England reached its height of power and enjoyed great industrial expansion at home and abroad.  In Victoria's era, laws were passed to improve the sordid conditions endured by the laboring class.  Education of children became compulsory.  Also during her rule, missionary fervor flourished in Great Britain, and missionaries flowed from her shores to all nations.  Great religious organizations such as the Salvation Army also came into being in England during this time.


Before Victoria's reign, English monarchs received little respect and were often self-indulgent.  This changed with Victoria.  Described as humble and honest, she brought dignity to the throne as she helped the poor and exercised her authority for good.


God uses people to govern the nations.  Because their responsibility is great, the apostle Paul encourages Christians to pray for all in authority (I Timothy 2:1-2).  As we follow God's admonition, we will come nearer to His design for the nations; that we live quiet, peaceful lives in godliness and holiness.

Taken from   "Daily Devotions for Women"
                     by Jewell Johnson
                     Day 110

People can't believe in Jesus
If the gospel they don't hear,
So we must proclaim its message
To the world -- both far and near.

copied from:      (not the same book as shown)
 "Our Daily Bread" - June 30, 2009
Poem - Sper

Keep your eyes on the Lord;
He never takes His eyes off you.

Copied from:     (not the same book as shown)
   "Our Daily Bread" - September 23, 2008

Our children are a heritage,
A blessing from the Lord;
They bring a richness to our lives -
In each, a treasure stored.

copied from:     (not the same book as shown)
  "Our Daily Bread" - June 21, 2009
Poem - Fasick