This was our team's theme verse as we headed to B*rma. We knew we were going to villages that desperately needed to hear Truth. Two of the villages had no Christ followers, and the villages that did have a church presence were often under pressure and experiencing persecution (with the majority of people being Buddhist). But, we serve a God that is bigger - a God that empowers us with His Spirit, and equips us and enables us to speak with boldness! So we headed out, relying on God to open doors and change hearts, and with willing hearts to be used by God in whatever way He wanted.
(most picture in this post, and in the last one, done by JohnMark Bergen. Thanks JM!)
This is what the villages and houses looked like! |
Pastor Isaiah showing the teachers how to set up the computer and printer |
sharing God's love with the children! |
praying for the teachers, the children, and the village (Pastor Paul, our wonderful translator is the man in front) |
teaching the children at the school some English songs (Jeremy has turned into quite the song leader!) |
the happiest kid you will ever meet! His huge smile and laughter brought us so much joy! |
some of the children from village number 4 |
In the fourth village, we asked if there was anyone who knew even a little bit of English, so they could help translate for our kids program that afternoon, while Pastor Isaiah did some teaching. Well, there happened to be a Buddhist school teacher (who actually was fairly new to the village) who knew a bit of English and a bit of Thai. I don't know if he would have volunteered himself, but everyone else quickly pointed to him, so really... he had no choice (all part of God's plan!). So with his limited English and our limited Burmese, we (Jeremy, Louise, and I) shared Bible stories, acted out stories, and shared about the love of Christ with the children. The whole time I just couldn't help but think, how cool is God! Here we have a devout Buddhist man, who happens to be the only man in the village that speaks English, translating the gospel message to the children, and hearing the love of Christ. Isn't that awesome!
coloring with the kids, after telling them some Bible stories! |
parachute games with the kids! We could have done this for hours! They absolutely loved it! |
acting out the story of David and Goliath in village 3 |
coloring by candlelight! |
As we were headed out to village number 3, there was a man in a bright yellow shirt who showed up and wanted to help carry our bags. He had heard about our group, and wanted to learn more about Jesus. So, he helped carry our backpacks and Bibles through the jungle and rice fields, just so he could talk with Pastor Isaiah and hear more. He then joined us at the church in village 3 for times of teaching and discipleship. Here was a man who was clearly hungry for more of God! We found out later that this man had left his job and his work, to carry our stuff and come with. Isn't that unreal!? I was reminded of when Jesus talks about the cost of being His disciple - leaving family, leaving jobs, and taking up our cross to follow Him. This man did that! He didn't have a lot, but was willing to leave his work behind, to just hear even a bit more about who God is. Wow! Am I hungry to know more about Christ like that? Am I willing to give up all I have to know and follow God?
the man that came with us to learn more! |
spending time in worship and prayer |
two of the Karen pastors (the man on the far left, and the woman on the far right). they were both such a blessing! |
Goodies, not garbage - the Christmas Presents! |
"And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns" Philippians 1:6.