Uma vida dedicada à Missões

Lettie B. Cowman (1870-1960)

Mulher Fiel ao chamado de Deus

Lettie B. Cowman was the wife of Rev. Charles Cowman, and co-founder of the Oriental Missionary Society (now the One Mission Society). Together they worked as Wesleyan pioneer missionaries in Japan and China from 1901 to 1917. The organization was founded with the purpose of evangelizing and setting up native ministries in Japan, Korea, China, and Formosa (Taiwan). Charles and Lettie served for 20 years until Charles' failing health forced them to return to their home in California.

After returning to the United States, Lettie devoted herself to caring for her husband until his death six years later. In 1925, out of her personal experiences and heartbreak came her first book, Streams in the Desert, followed by its companion Springs in the Valley.

Her most popular devotional book, Streams in the Desert, is a masterful compilation of inspirational writings from a variety of sources: sermons, readings, writings, and poetry that Lettie she had read over the years and that had stirred her heart. To these, she added her own thoughts that flowed from the depth of her walk with the Lord Jesus. The following is from this book:

God hedges in His own that He may preserve them, but oftentimes they only see the wrong side of the hedge, and so misunderstand His dealings. It was so with Job (Job 3:23). Ah, but Satan knew the value of that hedge! See his testimony in chapter 1:10.

Through the leaves of every trial there are chinks of light to shine through. Thorns do not prick you unless you lean against them, and not one touches without His knowledge. The words that hurt you, the letter which gave you pain, the cruel wound of your dearest friend, shortness of money–are all known to Him, who sympathizes as none else can and watches to see, if, through all, you will dare to trust Him wholly.

"Extraordinary afflictions are not always the punishment of extraordinary sins, but sometimes the trial of extraordinary graces. Sanctified afflictions are spiritual promotions." (citing Matthew Henry 1662-1714)

Lettie collected these works during the dark time in her life when her beloved husband, Charles, was terminally ill. Her devotionals have brought comfort and encouragement to millions of people around the world who also face difficult times.

The immense popularity of Streams in the Desert has allowed at least 19 editions of the book to be printed. The initial response to the devotional brought letters from China, Japan, Korea, Australia, Africa, and many island countries. The widespread appeal grows daily as new readers discover the joy, challenge and inspiration found in Streams in the Desert and Lettie's other compilations.