Currently, my team is in Yangon, Myanmar. Before we arrived, I knew this month would be different than the others. In some aspects I was completely right, but how I thought it would be different I was completely wrong.
We are Unsung Heroes. Our ministry is to travel around the city of Yangon, searching for Christian ministries that we can connect with who are Kingdom focused. We are looking to expand Adventures in Missions(AIM) network in Myanmar so we can send a whole squad of World Race teams in the future to serve with or help the ministries in any way they need.
This is the first time AIM is in Myanmar as they are a newly open country. Previously, when they were closed, Christian believers could not express their faith in public or speak to others without fear of repercussions. Anything relating to any religion other than Buddhism was outlawed. However, in 2012, God opened the country so everyone can practice their religion freely.
What an AMAZING OPPORTUNITY! We are AIMs hands and feet on the ground in a country where they and several others have never been able to freely go before.
However, we have to proceed with caution. Even though Myanmar now legalized worship of all religions, they are still a closed country. After speaking with people here we learned that you have to pay a fee to convert to Christianity and you have to declare it on your ID. Originally, I thought, “what’s wrong with having your faith on your ID?” I learned that this is still a Buddhist run country and they teach that anything that comes from a foreign place is a bad thing; clothes, music, laws, and religion, it comes from the foreigners and is not a part of their culture, who they are. They preach that we are trying to take them over and steal their land so many people are prejudiced. Once they see Christianity on your ID card, you cannot advance in employment, especially in the military, to name a few. My team is learning how to pray with our eyes open in public, how to choose our words with care until we can trust someone, and how to tell about the amazing ministries we meet without compromising them. Its really eye opening.
“Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil because of the Son of Man.” -Luke 6:22
I came into this month expecting to not find contacts on the internet and having to spend time building relationships with people in coffee shops and in public, maybe even taking weeks.
What I learned was that God had something more glorious and astounding in mind.
“”For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord,”plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”” -Jeremiah 29:11
(The Circle Train)
Our second day we were in Yangon we decided to ride the circle train, it takes three hours to do a complete circuit around the city so we wanted to ride it to surround the city in prayer. However, we found out that we missed the last train and started walking back to our hostel. As we were walking back, we started to pass an older gentleman. I do not know how the conversation was started but within the first few minutes he told my teammate Amy he was a Karin (a tribe in Myanmar) Baptist preacher and was heading to a convention of theirs. He invited us to come. There we made contact with YWAM Myanmar and were able to set up a meeting with them the next day, Tuesday. We had so much fun talking with YWAM and learned so much about the country. We also received eight different ministries to reach out to in Myanmar – and Mandalay, where other members of the squad are currently.
(Amy talking with the Baptist Preacher)
Thursday we visited YWAM’s Home of Joy which ministers to HIV victims and that night visited a youth ministry called Ignite that was an offshoot of a ministry in Colorado that Amanda was a part of. There we were able to make a contact with another church we are going to visit again. Friday we visited an Christian orphanage that house fifteen children. Saturday we helped out at YWAM’s drop-in center for children which provides them with a meal and teaches them about Jesus. Saturday evening we met up with a Christian Business school that is dedicated to teaching the Myanmar Christians how to run and work in a business to improve their income and rise up in the workplace. On Monday, we will be visiting another pastor’s convention and are in contact with at least one other ministry.
(The children at the orphanage singing)
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” -Matthew 7:7
Everything is moving so incredibly fast, I didn’t start processing everything until after the meeting with the Business school and it hit me: God is moving. I mean, its easy to see how God is moving in our own personal lives or those around us, but I felt like God gave me a glimpse into his plan for Myanmar. A REVIVAL. The people here are thirsty and desperate for the Lord. God is blowing doors open. Two years ago he opened the country allowing these ministries to gain footing and expand their operations. We are the first World Race teams to come to Myanmar and God laying contacts in our lap at an incredible speed! He desperately wants the people of Myanmar to know and love him. And because of the work we are doing, squad after squad of World Race teams will come and help out the ministries we are finding today and effect the lives of hundreds, even thousands of people.
(Ignite Yangon, A part of the Colorado Ministry)
“A great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.” -1 Corinthians 16:9
(Myself giving a testimony)
Its like the snowball effect. God dropped a boulder our teams)on a snowy mountain side (Myanmar) and we’re rolling, rolling, gaining speed and momentum, and it will turn into an avalanche, shaking the whole mountain, blowing obstacles out of their way, completely changing the landscape. He prepared everything and now its ready. I chuckle to think that God might even be impatient for this. I can hear him murmuring and cheering us “come on, come on, you’re getting it, you’re doing this, yes!” We are the trigger, snapping everything into motion.
(Home of Joy)
“Therefore go and make disciples of all the nations.” -Matthew 28:19
(This woman used to work in construction but was laid off because equipment fell on her feet and disabled her)
While we’ll never go down into the history books for this, I realized in that moment yesterday that our actions today, and everyday, will change the course of future and the whole landscape. Like a ripple effect in a pond. Just one touch and the ripples reach every corner. With this revelation, my whole body tingled, my heart pounded, and it felt like my body was filled with air. Excitement and anticipation filled me and I was left in awe of where and how God was using us. I wanted to run and be still at once. I wanted to worship and process at the same time. I wanted to scream it to the entire world.
(Children at the YWAM Drop-In Center)
“Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” -Isaiah 40:31
I know that God will be doing amazing things this month. This is in his hands and he has the best plan for us and this country. I cannot wait to see what he has in store!
Please pray for the people of Myanmar, that God will open more doors and advance his Kingdom, that he will provide safety and security for his people already here, that more people will come and share the gospel, and that the people who hear his message will be changed and come to him. Let there be a complete Revival!
“Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” -Matthew 9:37-38
