This is the June 2009 edition of my “Mission to Myanmar” newsletter.
What’s News?
Another semester of Bible College almost finished, which leaves just one more to go. It’s not been an overly eventful semester which is why you haven’t heard from me – nothing much to say really. I’ve been chipping away at my college work since February plus our annual “mission trip” in April. I enjoy the more hands-on ministry learning (as opposed to classroom learning and essays) so the mission trip was a highlight for me.
This year our mission team of 14 went to Blaxland Presbyterian Church in the lower Blue Mountains where we engaged in all sorts of ministries including Scripture teaching, hospital and nursing home ministry, commuter handouts, community surveys, preaching, Sunday school, and a “Backyard Bash”. The Bash was aimed at getting the community to come and visit. We had activities for the kids, a coffee shop for the adults, a photo competition, and a free sausage sizzle. Then afterwards we had a bush dance with a great live bush band. Everyone had a great time and it was a good outcome for the church-folk.
Each member of the team was billeted out around the area with different members of the congregation. I was blessed to stay with Harry and Elizabeth who were so welcoming and looked after me like family. A terrific granny-flat style setup for me, great meals and even a packed lunch every day. I was spoiled, which is always nice.
After our mission week we had our 2 week semester break which saw me working on college assignments, and also a weekend up in Newcastle visiting my Mum which is always nice and relaxing. After the holidays it was back to classes and more assignments which has kept me busy up to now. We have exams coming up in a few weeks but I have a couple more assignments to get finished before that.
So not a lot out of the ordinary for me, but what about the folks in Myanmar? Well, between February and May it’s holiday time for students so some of Thang Bwee and James’ students head back to Chin State to visit family, but the majority of them stay in Yangon and do other ministry work like evangelism, and some even get part-time work. A couple of them have been laid up with illness too, with one in particular being in hospital for many months now. No-one seems to know what’s causing his illness but it has been very serious, almost fatal. He’s still recovering and Thang Bwee expects it will take at least another year before we see any significant improvement. The lad’s name is Kyaw Htin (pronounced Chore Tin) so please remember him in prayer especially.
Early May was the anniversary of cyclone Nargis which devastated parts of Myanmar last year. Much has been done by way of aid for the millions affected but there is still so much more to be done. Blame can be laid in the usual place and we can only hope and pray that things will improve more speedily.
On a completely different note, I sent a package of calendars to Thang Bwee earlier this year – not expecting it to get through due to mail going “missing” – however I’m happy to tell you it made it. And just so you know, in case you ever want to send anything over, it took 10 weeks to arrive.
In the Media
Child soldiers still common in Burma: UN Report
The Burmese military regime’s army and nine other armed groups, including ceasefire groups and active anti-government forces, are still recruiting child soldiers, according to the latest Annual Report of the UN Secretary-General to the Security Council on Children and Armed Conflict.
Referring to official reports shared by the junta, the UN report said the Burmese government continues to screen and release under-age children found in its armed forces during the training process. The junta reported that 68 children were detected in various military training schools and were released to their parents and guardians.
The 68 cases included 12 children who were released through the International Labor Organization (ILO) mechanism, one released and reported to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and two released and reported to the ILO and ICRC.
The ILO, through its mechanism to eliminate the use of forced labour, has verified the release of 23 children, mostly from involuntary military enrolment, based on complaints filed by parents and relatives. An additional 14 cases either await government response or remain open while the process continues, it said.
The report also said that even as the regime has informed the UN country task force that it has put procedures in place for the rehabilitation and reintegration of under-age recruits, the UNICEF has not been given access to children who were released through the government’s mechanisms for follow-up purposes.
Please Pray
Mon: Praise God that a dear friend has helped me understand how to more effectively study and prepare assignments.
Tue: Our partner churches in Myanmar. Pray for the leaders (Thang Bwee & James) and their helpers.
Wed: Severe drought and famine in Chin State due to a devastating rat plague.
Thur: Evangelism of Buddhists in Yangon and Chin State. Pray for opportunities and also for wisdom and boldness.
Fri: The Myanmar government. Pray for the Lord to change hearts and to bring justice, peace, etc.
Sat: Sick students, especially Kyaw Htin. Others suffer from recurrences of Malaria, and tuberculosis is common also.
Sun: Pray that God would continue to lead all those involved in the Myanmar work (in AU and in MM)
And praise God daily for the opportunities he’s opened up in Myanmar and for his constant blessing and abundant provision thus far.
Grace be with you,
Martin
Tags: Mission to Myanmar
