Myanmar Ministry - Explore Archived World Race Alumni Blogs

Though I did spend quite a bit of time in Myanmar sick, I did want to write a blog that focused on all of the good parts that came out of living there. This was our first month of ATL (ask the Lord) ministry. Our team found ourselves in Yangon, a fairly decent sized city and it was our job to jump right in and find our own ministry that we wanted to be a part of. This looks different for every team. Some teams pick one thing and stick together doing one ministry, others teams may break up into groups of two or three and focus on helping out multiple ministries.

My first few days I spent in bed trying to recover from travel day. It had seemed like everyone was finding their groove and getting plugged in. When I finally had my chance, it took a couple days of wandering around the town and getting familiar with our new “home.” My team had already started helping out a church, and volunteering at English classes in the mornings, but I wanted to use this time to find something on my own, somewhere that I could thrive and use my gifts and talents. The best place to go when you don’t know where to go, is google! I found on trip advisor “things to do in Myanmar” and I went about checking them off my list. One of the suggestions that popped up was a shop called Pomelo of Myanmar. It is a fair trade store that helps out local businesses in Myanmar. Sounded great to me! Every purchase made contributes to social and economic change in some of Myanmar’s most marginalized communities and helps to support unique skills and craftsmanship.

I went the next morning and when I walked in and looked at all of the handmade goods, I thought, “yup, this feels right.” I got to talk with one of the sweet ladies that worked there and she told me all about the different tribes of Myanmar that are supported by Pomelo. After a few short minutes of my arrival, a woman walked in which happened to be one of the co-founders. I asked her if she would mind having a volunteer and her eyes lit up. When she found out I had ten years of experience in retail, and a photography degree, that was it. I was back first thing in the morning and I basically became her assistant over night. I was blessed with a really cool opportunity to “work” for Pomelo even if it was for a short period of time and in turn, I was able to bless them as well with some much needed help.

Here is a list of a few of the things I was able to do…

-A lot of product photography

-I led a Photography 101 Workshop for the different organizations partnering with Pomelo to help them better advertise their merchandise.

-Updated pictures of the store for all their social media accounts

-My photographs will be made into post cards to sell in store. They will also be using my images to print on vinyl to make coin pouches that will be sold in the shop as well

-I got the chance to photograph Pomelo merchandise on display at a local hotel for marketing purposes

-I made bracelets and necklaces that were sold in the store

-Priced and displayed jewelry

-Organized and remodeled the store

-Put out new merchandise almost daily

(Pictures posted below)

You could say that I was right at home! It was really hard work but I was defiantly using my gifts that the Lord has given me and I had so much fun. I had the opportunity to do SO much more but I ran out of time. There were days that I’d spend 8-9 hours at the store just taking pictures and helping out. The best part was coming into the store and getting to spend time with the employees who are now my new friends! We shared a lot of laughs, and got to know each other and it was a great feeling to have “a job” just like I would back in the states. It was an awesome environment to work in and I am happy that I was able to help the store with all that I did. By having this experience, it made me confident and trusting that once I get back to the states, that the Lord will bless me with another opportunity to use my gifts again. I’m very thankful for the time that I had in Myanmar. Please continue to pray for the tribes that rely solely on Pomelo’s help to be able to live each day. It was such a blessing to be able to be a part of this ministry this month.

1.Photographing merchandise on the streets of Myanmar