Going Back - Anne Piggot

CA. 1895–1935

It is one of the blessed ironies of the last century: while denominations in the United States and United Kingdom have debated the role of women in the church, many women have taken on the very biblical role of missionary. Women have been at the forefront of missions efforts, especially in difficult areas.

The gospel penetrates many cultures through their women. Perhaps men have too much at stake; their conversion would be problematic. But women can respond eagerly to the Christian message of love, joy, and freedom, and they often hear this message from other women.

When she was about twenty-five, Anne Piggot went to India to serve with a Church of Christ mission. Much of her work involved teaching the local “Bible women,” who joyfully studied, discussed, prayed, and sang the Scriptures. These Indian women were already affecting their culture for Christ. The mission also operated some schools for local children.

In her excellent book, Pen Pictures from India, Anne tells of her experiences, including her interaction with a young convert she calls Jaswa. This girl was like Nicodemus, very curious about Jesus. But when she announced her decision to follow Christ, her family pressured her to recant. After emotional appeals, magic charms, and even violent threats, Jaswa backed down, returned home, and seemingly forgot about Christianity. But one night she awoke to see a vision of two men in shining white robes. “Are you going back?” they asked her. These heavenly messengers were inviting her back to the mission—and a short time later she did go back.

In her account, Anne goes on to tell about a school picnic in which a girl of the “untouchable” caste fell into a pond and nearly drowned. It was Jaswa who courageously dived in to save her. “Up Jaswa came,” Anne writes, “dragging the girl she would not have touched a month before.” Later, Jaswa said, “I always feel God called me for something.”

Consider this “pen picture” that Anne Piggot gives us. Anne touches the life of Jaswa, who literally touches an untouchable girl, saving her life. God’s love is transmitted from one to another to another.

You don’t need to preach or teach in a foreign land. You just need to touch those around you with the love of God—and see what sort of chain reaction begins.

No matter what their diseases were, the touch of his hand healed every one.

Luke 4:40