Sau Nam is a spiritual descendant of Adoniram and Ann Judson, who first took the gospel to Burma (now known as Myanmar). She is the third Burmese student at the college named for Ann Judson.
“Every year, our Baptist churches have Judson Sunday on the day closest to July 13,” Nam explained. “That is the day the Judsons landed in Burma in 1813 and brought the story of Jesus to us.”
Nam, 26, studied at the Myanmar Institute of Theology in the state of Kachin, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in religious studies in 2006. She was invited to teach English at the Kachin Theological College (KTC), and the school’s president, Saga Hkyen Naw, encouraged her to attend Judson as his daughter had done.
Ruth Aung Ra Saga was the first Burmese student to study at Judson, graduating in 2005. She later earned a theological degree at Beeson Divinity School at Samford University in Birmingham.
“Dr. Saga made me stand in an assembly of the entire student body and faculty and promise that I’d come back to teach in Burma when I finished my study in America,” Nam said with a laugh.
KTC has a vision to institute a liberal arts program, and offering English is a significant part of the plan.
Nam is majoring in English education at Judson and hasn’t yet chosen her minor, although she’s considering counseling.
Nam has enjoyed speaking about Baptist work in Burma in local churches. She’s part of the Judson Singers and traveled with the choir to North Carolina last spring.
She hopes to make an international trip with the group next year, visa permitting.
“I’ve made many friends at Judson College,” she said. “There is a sisterhood here, and I’m glad to be part of it.” (JC)
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