1934
Betty was a missionary in China along with her husband John Stam. They were arrested by the Communist soldiers along with their 3-month year old daughter Helen. Their ransom was $12,000. John wrote a letter to the mission authorities. It included, Philippians 1:20, "May Christ be glorified whether by life or death."
They walked 12 miles to Miaosheo to be executed. Betty was able to hide Helen inside a room where the soldiers were letting her tend to the baby. John and Betty arrived to Miaosheo. A Chinese shopkeeper stepped in to try to convince the soldiers to not kill the Stams. They invaded his shop and found a Bible and a hymnbook.
Betty watched her husband be beheaded. Her and the shopkeeper were beheaded moments later.
Helen was found by a Chinese pastor 2 days later. He and his wife took her to her maternal grandparents who were also missionaries in China.
Betty's prayer is my prayer:
"Lord, I give up all my plans and purposes,
all my own desires and hopes,
and accept Thy will for my life.
I give myself, my life, my all
utterly to Thee to be Thine forever.
Fill me and seal me
with They Holy Spirit.
Use me as Thou wilt,
work out Thy whole will
in my life at any cost,
now and forever."
