Blog Posts

Lucy and Asa’s sweet partnership in marriage spilled over into their life of ministry. There were clearly defined roles for men and women back in New England, but here in Hawaii, they both pitched in to do whatever needed to be done. Being partners in ministry drew them closer as husband and wife.  Their first … Continue ReadingPartners in Ministry

The marriage of Lucy and Asa developed into a sweet partnership in life and ministry. The old stereotypes of women in the early 19th century being slaves to their husbands is certainly not true in the case of the marriages of the pioneer missionaries to Hawaii. Lucy and Asa  were companions in the deepest sense, … Continue ReadingPartnership in Marriage

I agonized over writing the story of Matahina in Chapters 7 and 8 of my book God’s Grace was Sufficient. So much controversy surrounds the events of her life after she arrives in Hawaii with her husband. The story in my book is taken from Lucy’s account as she wrote in her book. But Lucy … Continue ReadingMatahina

Have you ever read the story of Balaam? See Numbers 22 for the complete account of an ungodly man whom the Lord used to bless the Israelites. Lucy Thurston received a similar blessing from her atheistic cousin. Shortly before Lucy’s departure for Hawaii, this cousin and his wife come for a visit to the Goodale … Continue ReadingBalaam’s Blessing to Lucy

Lucia Holman was an interesting and complicated woman. A schoolteacher and the sister of fellow missionary, Samuel Ruggles, she married Dr. Thomas Holman a month before leaving for Hawaii. Her journal is available to read online; it is entertaining and not too challenging to read. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.32106000759586&view=1up&seq=1 Mrs. Holman suffered from sea-sickness for most of the … Continue ReadingWho was Mrs. Holman?

The night that Lucy met Asa for the first time, her sister, Persis, had a disturbing dream. In today’s world, we hear of dreams and visions given to people of God, especially in the Muslim world. But when I think of the strict Congregationalists of Lucy’s time in history, with their practical, down-to-earth way of … Continue ReadingA Disturbing Dream