Have you ever heard of Lettie Burd Cowman? Me neither, until today, that is. You see, I’ve started listening to “Streams in the Desert” during my morning swims. To me it’s been an interesting peek into a by-gone era, 100 years or so back in time. I’ve also sensed something tender about this book, in the way it talks about the difficult parts of life, and especially in the way it urges us to be still with God in the midst of any storm. This caught my attention, so I wondered, what’s the story behind this book? And that’s when I found her: Lettie Burd Cowman. Let me introduce you to her. You’ll love her, and you’ll be just a little inspired, too. 

Waterproof Listening

Did I lose you when I mentioned that I listen to a book during my morning swim? Hehe. Ok, I’ll explain. Swimming is my new thing, you see. It’s such a great way to exercise! But it can also be a little monotone… Back and forth, back and forth… So I spiced up my swims by listening to audio books. Now I’m not sure what I love more, the swim or the opportunity to listen and learn new things. 

How I listen to audio books during my swim? Well, I ordered waterproof wireless earbuds and a waterproof phone case online. With my phone safely placed in the waterproof case around my neck, my audio book on play, the timer set on 30 minutes, and the ear buds in my ears, off we glide in the pool – back and forth – to story time upon story time. Aaaah, life is good! 

So, I’m listening to the daily devotional “Streams in the Desert” these days. It’s not exactly an entertaining book to listen to. First of all, it’s very obvious that it’s from another time in history. Second, the vibe is rather solemn at times, actually. 

But since there’s a ‘Miss Achiever’ in me, I need to finish what I’ve started, so that I can tick this book off my list: “Streams in the desert” – check. There’s also a ‘Miss Positivity’ in me, so I’m listening for the gold amongst the multitude of ’trials and storms’. And believe me, there’s lots of gold here! I’m actually learning a lot! And yes, there’s also a Miss Learner in me. (If you’re familiar with Strengthsfinder, that’s what I’m referring to here. It has really helped me understand myself.)

What’s the story?

So, I started noticing that there were many dark valleys, storms, waiting seasons, trials, testings, patience, pruning etc. mentioned in the daily devotional. 

I appreciate the honesty and the vulnerability, because life is not just a bed of roses, is it? Life is beautiful and life is also hard at times. But, I don’t agree that God is behind all of these challenges in our lives, though. Rather, He turns it around for our good. And He’s there with us when life is hard. 

Anyways, I don’t want to get stuck on this part. I’m only mentioning this, because it got my attention good. Like, what is going on here?, I wondered. What is the story behind all this? There must be something special behind this book!?

Lettie’s love story

And that’s when I googled the author. Mrs Charles Cowman, whom, I discovered, is Lettie Burd Cowman, born March 3, 1870. 

By the way, don’t you just love her name? Lettie Burd. Lettie means joy and gladness. And her name is so fun to say, too! I can just imagine how her husband would fondly call her that; “Lettie Burd, darling.”

So, here we are, diving right into Lettie Burd’s love story! And how do I know her love story? Wikipedia, of course. haha. I so wish I knew this lady in person, though, It would be awesome to have her share how she met her love at the age of 13 with me. I mean, wow, how cute is that. 

Her childhood sweetheart’s name was Charles Cowman. And six long years later, they got married. She was 19. The year was 1889.  

Pizza and Pandemic in 1889

What was the world like at that time, I wonder? There was actually a lot going on in the world back then! Feel free to take a look here. 

In 1889 they were, for instance, introduced to coke as medicine, and pizza margherita was invented. They had the flu pandemic, and Adolf Hitler was born! Also, Vincent van Gogh painted “Starry Night” and The Eiffel Tower was inaugurated in Paris. And The third Great Awakening was ending. 

And that’s when this lady got married to her Charles. A power-couple that would make a huge impact on the world. 

Years of preparation

The following eleven years were eventful, indeed. First of all, this couple received Christ! What a game changer – for them and the world! Because, second, after hearing A.B. Simpson preach, they sensed a calling to go out as missionaries! Therefor, they went to Bible school for a brief training, and in 1901 the journey continued to Japan. Lettie Burd Cowman was 31 years old at this point. 

I so wish to hear more of her story, though. What was life like for her? For instance, she had been married for 11 years, and she had no children… There’s no mention about this part at all anywhere, that I’ve found, at least. And then to venture from America to Asia. I’d love to have a chat with this lady, because my husband and I also left for the mission field in Asia in our 30’s 109 years later. It would be great fun to exchange stories. 

Missions In Japan

The voyage from USA to Japan must have taken a while? And what was it like for them to move there? I have a lot of questions for Lettie. 

But friends, this next part blew my mind. Their love for the people of Japan ran deep; Not just for the people as a whole, but for each person. In 1913 their goal was for every person in Japan to hear the Gospel within the next five years. 

Wow, wow! I love, love and clarity that this goal creates. I find that it challenges me to think bigger and also smaller. The whole, but also each individual. 

And off the teams of missionaries went to every town, village and home throughout Japan, proclaiming the Gospel and distributing Bibles. And five years later, around 60 million Japanese had heard the Gospel and received a Bible!

From home to home

I don’t know about you, but something happens to my heart as I read this. It’s like it softens and widens all at once. There’s a tender feel. Amazement, wonder, inspiration. And I so wish I could have been there to glean from them; to hear what they shared, and how they interacted with the people, to join them on their journey from village to village, home to home. What was it like? What love, boldness and tenacity.  

Also, I’m challenged because I see the parallel to our time. They went from home to home to share the Gospel back then. In 2020, online church is entering homes around the globe every Sunday! Back then 60 million people had heard the Gospel in Japan and received a Bible. I wonder how many people are hearing the Gospel today? Perhaps this is the time to open our homes to people who don’t have a church home or for believers who want to grow in their relationship with Jesus? 

Streams in the desert is birthed

The Cowman’s were missionaries in Japan from 1901-1917. Sixteen years. That’s a long time. But I believe they would have wanted to stay much longer. You see, they went back to America due to Charles’ illness. Lettie was 47 years old at the time. 

Again, I wish I could here more of her story. What was it like for her to leave Japan? I wonder, what was it like to have to leave due to her husband’s illness? And how was it to move back to the U.S. after all those years.

Back in the US, Lettie Burd Cowman cared for her sick husband for 6 years. He was chair-ridden, he couldn’t really lie down comfortably, and rarely slept at night. So, Lettie read to him at night. She read from the Bible, and also poetry, stories, sermons and hymns. And they prayed for healing, but it did not manifest on this earth. These meditations became the devotional “Streams in the desert.” No wonder I could sense the pain and sorrow when I was listening to it… 

Sadly, Charles Cowman died in 1924. Lettie wrote in one of her books: 

“From the first time we met, we were sweethearts, and to the last breath he drew, we were sweethearts still.” 

Lettie Burd Cowman, “Missionary Warrior”

Silent years that still speak 

It’s amazing that what must have looked and felt like 6 years of heart-break, pain, loneliness and broken dreams… actually became her ministry and mission field – to this very day! 

Her words of comfort still minister today. ”Streams in the Desert” has been a source of hope, encouragement, comfort, and strength for millions of people down through the years, and has remained a bestseller, even now. 

This reminds me of something that stood out to me when I was meditating on this verse recently:

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalms 46:10

I was pondering on the “be still”, and how it’s so needful and yet so difficult. Then I looked at it in the reverse order: “Still be”. And I though of this verse: 

“Blessed are those who dwell in Your house; They will still be praising You. Selah” Psalms 84:4

When we “be still” it seems like nothing is happening. It seems passive and at a stand still. But in reality it brings us to a place of “still be.” We’ll still be going strong, we’ll still be in ministry – even beyond our own generation! Just like Lettie Burd Cowman. 

The love note

Our dear Lettie Burd Cowman was a widow at the age young age of 54. And she had no children, either. I can’t imagine what that must have been like for her. It’s easy to spiral down into depression at a time like that. 

But one day, Lettie found a note in her husband’s Bible that was addressed to her. The note said: “Go on with my unfinished task.” Wow, there’s so much love and trust in that note. Her darling trusted her to continue where he had left off. Such beautiful and powerful couple ministry. He must have seen so much in her. 

I imagine that I would feel both loved, honoured and scared to get a note like that. And I wouldn’t even know where to begin. 

Another book and world wide missions

Lettie Burd Cowman started her mission by writing a biography about her husband’s life. The book title is “Missionary Warrior.” I sure am planning to read it. She must have been so proud of him and wanting to honour his legacy. And I’m sure that she was greatly inspired while she wrote it, too. 

According to Wikipedia, in writing this book, Lettie hoped that a world-wide crusade would be launched to reach every living member of this generation with the gospel. 

And this next sentence, straight from wikipedia, went straight to my heart: “Just as Charles felt such a strong calling to proclaim the Gospel to every individual in Japan, Lettie felt a similar call to distribute the Gospel to all the nations.”

This lady is really something else, isn’t she? 

• She sees huge (the whole wide world / all nations)
• She sees small (the individual)
• She also sees timing and season (this generation)
• She’s very clear on what this is all about: the Gospel! Jesus! 

I’m so with you, girl!! And I see these verses come to life: 

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17

25 years of plenty

Yup, so this Lettie did not spiral down in her grief. She got involved big time. From 1924 – 1949, Lettie was actively involved in the ministry she and her husband started. During the next 25 years, she wrote seven more books, and she also inspired nationwide Scripture distribution campaigns! 

And from Wikipedia I found out that in Europe, this was the last great evangelistic efforts in Europe before Nazi Germany took control. Again, I’m amazed. I wonder how many are in heaven now because of her ministry. 

At the age of 79, Lettie retired from her role as president in the mission society. I know very little about her final 11 years before she died. I only know that she was very ill during her last three years. This saddens me. She died on Easter Sunday, April 17, 1960. (15 years later, I was born!)

This is what Lettie Burd Cowman shared on the meaning of Easter in her book “Streams in the desert”:

A well-known preacher was once in his study writing an Easter sermon when this thought gripped him: “My Lord is living!” With excitement he jumped up, paced the floor, and began repeating to himself, “Christ is alive. His body is warm. He is not the great ‘I was’ but the great ‘I am.’ ” Christ is not only a fact but a living fact. He is the glorious truth of Easter Day!

Abbott Benjamin Vaughan

Thank you, Lettie! 

It’s been a pleasure getting to know you, Lettie Burd Cowman. And I want to thank you for your faithfulness in this life. You were, and are, an amazing lady. Thank you for pointing us to Jesus through your life, your marriage and your ministry. I feel that I’ve found a new friend in you, somehow. Till we meet, Lettie Burd.

Sources: One Mission Society, Wikipedia, Lettie Cowman, School of Theology, Christian History Institute