Frontline: Burma

Burma once again hit the headlines at the end of 2007. Our partners there have recently shared up-to-date news with us and we pass it on for your prayers.

“2007 was another year of God's blessings and the multiple evidences of His grace at work. Despite political instabilities and the rapid inflation, we continue to witness and experience God's provision. There are two particular areas for which we thank the Lord for.  

Firstly, we give thanks for the harvest from the work in Burma 's Golden Triangle region. We have had Church planting work in at least five villages among two different ethnic groups here, mostly in villages close to the Thai border in the eastern region of the country. It is an area still known to a large degree for its opium production and for being a trade-route.  

Despite the unfavourable context in which we serve in the region, the power and efficacy of the Gospel is still evident. Despite the secularization and resistance to the Gospel in bigger cities, we continue to see people committing their lives to Christ. Burmese people are finding meaning in and through the Gospel.  

Recently, one of our key workers reported that his congregation, about 35 miles from the Thai boarder, has grown so much that he could no longer fit them all into their church building (It is about 8m by 13m in size.) It is quite unusual to find such a significant growth in the midst of predominantly a Buddhist society. Though outgrowing the facility may be a problem, it is indeed a good problem to celebrate. Our other church plants in the region also continue to witness steady growth, mainly from animist and Buddhist background.

The second area of ministry is in pastoral training. Last year, we had 16 students and that number has grown to 29 this year from 9 different ethnic groups. We not only provide theological education but also vocational training such as sewing clothes for our female students and progress is on the way for carpentry workshops for our male students. Our goal is to provide native church planters both with theological foundation and at the same time, equip them with some practical skill, so that when they go out to serve, they can operate as tent-makers wherever possible.

Burma went through a difficult period and indeed we were forced to close the theological school for several months given the political turmoil and the interference from the government. It was not wasted time however as we sent the students out to various unreached areas encouraging them to apply all they had been learning. After four long months of being shut-down, we are now fully operational again.”