(Far left)
Kin Jong Sein: Khaw’s brother-in-law who traveled two nights and a day to attend the two day seminar taught by the team. He is married to Sarah and has five children. He started a church in central Myanmar in a very spiritually dark area named Bamauk in 2000 which currently has around 150 members. This area was 100% Buddhist before Kin Jong Sein left Putao to spread the Gospel in this area. Monks in the area and state authorities stopped them in the past from sharing the Gospel. This problem has subsided some but has taken a great financial toll on the ministry. In the past the Asian Christian Services supported his church financially but stopped their support in 2010. Now the church is struggling financially. Kin Jong Sein has obtained a lot of debt since Asian Christian Services pulled their support. If he is unable to raise more support he is going to have to move his family back to Putao to return to farming in order to pay off his debt. Judah has been sending some support and Sarah is a skilled seamstress and makes money sewing clothes to go towards keeping the ministry going. Currently there is a huge need for sponsorship of evangelist in this area.
Kin Jong Sein’s message to the world: The Kadu Tribe in Chin State has a population of 70,000 people who are un-reached. They have no written language. His greatest desire is to disciple this tribe. He is trying to find a linguistics group to help him develop a written language and translate the Bible for the people. His family is dedicated to this tribe. He has produced some sermons on DVDs in their native language.
(Middle)
Naing Htang: 28 year old evangelist who rode a bus for five hours from Jung Byaw in order to attend teaching seminar as an interpreter. His English was pretty good but it used to be better. He has spent the last two years in a very rural part of Myanmar spreading the gospel and was unable to practice his English. He travels to rural villages which are difficult to get to and often requires days of hiking through the jungle. He goes to villages which are too difficult for older evangelist to visit. Naing Htang stated, “I don’t choose villages, when God calls me to a village, I go.” He feels the main responsibility of all Christians is to spread the gospel. His family currently sponsors his evangelistic work. He was raised in a Christian family but they were Christians in name only. Naing Htang became a Christian at the age of 19 and his parents did not practice their faith until four years ago. While Naing Htang was at the Bible College he prayed a lot for his parents to become stronger in the faith and his prayer was answered. His father is a government official who will not be promoted above captain because he is a Christian. When his family is not able to financially support his work in rural areas he spreads the gospel in Yangon.
When he goes into an un-churched village he first serves the community and shares the gospel through his actions. One way he serves is by teaching the children of the village to read and write. He also teaches against the use of alcohol and illegal drugs. Alcoholism and drug addiction are major problems in Myanmar as it is one of the largest producers of opium. Naing Htang has never drank alcohol or used any illegal drugs. He tells people he has not been sick since he was ten years old because the Holy Spirit protects him and he takes care of his body by not drinking alcohol or taking drugs. After he gains the trust of the people he shares the Good News of Jesus Christ. Naing Htang stated, “I do not teach Christianity. I teach Jesus.” Sometimes village elders will not let him openly preach so he must preach in secret.
Naing Htang met Judah in 2003 when he was 19 years old. Judah and another pastor, Khin Jong Sin, encouraged him to attend the Eastern Bible Institute (EBI) north of Yangon. After graduating from EBI in 2008 he assisted Judah then started his own ministry in Chin State. His goal is to train 10 new pastors in that area over the next year.
Naing Htang told us the hardest people to share his faith with are Muslims. Muslims know the Old Testament very well and are not interested in hearing anything else. He studies other religions in order to understand their faith and be able to present a stronger case for Christ.
One of the place’s Naing Htang has preached is in the Kyin Dwe Village in Chin State. When someone there accepts Christ as their Lord and Savior they are kicked out of the village.
Naing Htang’s message to the world: “Jesus died for you all.”
(Far right)
Judah Tangshing: Lives in Wireless about 45 minutes outside of Yangon, Myanmar. He is married to Khaw and they have four children. Judah and Khaw are from Putao in Northern Myanmar. Judah worked in the goldmines to put himself through college. Judah graduated from Florida Christian College in 1997 and has been in the mission field for 14 years. He left Putao with his family to serve in an area of Myanmar which was un-churched, Wireless. He is the lead pastor of a church in Wireless which is the only church in the village of 30,000 people. He works with associate pastor Khin Zaw. Judah’s ministry fully supports a church in Jung Byaw and partially supports another church in Bamouk. Judah is a Bible College instructor and supports seven students who attend the college. Judah’s ministry also consists of two orphanages; one in Wireless which houses 24 orphans and three staff members and the other in Putao which houses 15 orphans and two staff members. Partial support is also given to 15 evangelists in the Rakahine Region. Judah organizes numerous community outreaches throughout the year including disaster relief if the need arises. He also organizes seven regional Sunday Schools that reach over 200 children each week. Judah’s ministry demonstrates Christ’s love through the community by caring for the sick, poor, widows, and orphans, while asking nothing in return. People witness lives being changed as a result of prayer. Sometimes by miraculous healings, and sometimes by people acting differently (becoming more loving, patient, giving up addictions, and other bad habits)
Prayer request: Funds to build new building on property since church has outgrown current building ($30,000), funds to take in 16 more orphans in Wireless/Yangon (has room, but not enough funding) and 10 more in Putao, opening of a new orphanage in Jung Byaw about 100 miles from Wireless, government leaders of Myanmar to continue reforms.
