“John Cornelius Stam and Elisabeth Alden ‘Betty’ Stam were American Christian missionaries to China, with the China Inland Mission (CIM), during the Chinese Civil War. The missionary couple were executed by Communist Chinese soldiers in 1934.” –Wikipedia

Their story (with photos) can be found at Wheaton College’s archival collection: Remembering John and Betty Stam

A Poem by Betty Scott Stam

In the center of the circle
Of the will of God I stand,
As I launch from sheltering harbor
To obey all His commands.
What though waves overwhelm my vessel,
And grim fears my faith assail,
Still I’ll stay upon His promise,
For that cannot, will not, fail.

In the center of the circle,
Of the will of God I stand,
Where the warfare wages fiercest—
’Tis the place that He has planned.
Though dread foes may storm my castle,
And the battle seem but lost,
I will claim in Him the victory,
And hold on what ere the cost.

In the center of the circle,
Of the will of God I stand,
There can be no second causes,
All must come from His dear hand.
When dark clouds obscure my vision,
And the way I cannot see,
I will trust Him in the darkness,
For I know He pilots me.

In the center of the circle,
Of the will of God I stand,
Though the universe around me
Shows small trace of His dear hand,
Yet in darkness as in daylight,
In the gloom or sunshine fair,
I will trust Him, for His presence,
For I know He’s always near.