Last week, Judah and a team of 3 youths from his church in Wireless traveled 20 hours by bus to deliver support to one of the most devastated areas in Myanmar. In the Sagaing division they met with local church leaders and a local Buddhist monk. They determined the areas of greatest need and partnered with them to package and deliver supplies of rice, oil, noodles, beans, salt, toothpaste, tooth brushes, clean water, and Bible tracks. They ministered to 64 families in the village of Jakat Ait, and 24 families in the village of Inn Daiy. They staged their supply efforts in a local Buddhist monastery at Jakat Ait, and in a local family’s home in Inn Daiy.
These villages had not received any help from the government or from any NGO’s (non government organizations). They were able to talk with the villagers and share the Word of God with them, pray with them, and encourage them. Judah said, “When the villagers would ask why we came to them, we told them it was because God loved them and we wanted to demonstrate his love to them.”
They were also able to visit 5 local churches and 2 house churches, as well as several local preachers/evangelists that Mission Myanmar supports. These local evangelists have agreed to follow up with the families in the villages that were visited. While many areas of Myanmar experienced great flooding and devastation, Judah chose to target the Sagaing Division because they had several local preachers who are currently supported by Mission Myanmar already established there, and the hope is that there will be more effective follow up for the victims.
In 2008, after the Cyclone Nargis devastated the delta area of Myanmar, many people came to know the truth about who God is. Judah is confident that many will come to know the Lord Jesus through this tragedy too. Judah says that this is only the middle of the current monsoon season, and already they have had unusually heavy rains and flooding 3 times! They have replanted rice crops 3 times and lost all 3 crops due to flooding. Now it is past time for planting and rice seeds are not available. The price of rice, the staple food of Myanmar, is rising and will continue to rise next year, and they can not even imagine how high the price will go.
Please pray for the people of Myanmar, and Judah’s ministry. Judah sends his love and thanks all his supporters for their gifts of love to the people of Myanmar. They were very pleased to receive the support and felt Christian love.
This is an update from Judah and Khaw Tangshing, with love in Christ Jesus.
P.S. Many of you may recall that Judah’s family has experienced several personal tragedies over the past few months. One was the untimely death of Khaw’s sister Sarah who was hit by a motorcycle. Her husband, evangelist Khin Jong Sein, had been in seclusion for 2 weeks grieving and would not leave his home. Judah decided to ask him to accompany him on this trip to the Sagaing Division. To Judah’s delight, he agreed to go and it was very therapeutic for him. God will certainly honor this act of bravery and compassion. Please pray for his continued healing.
P.P.S. Judah’s sister Mary lives in Putao where they also experienced great flooding and personal loss when his niece (sister’s daughter) was swept away in the flood. Judah will travel there next to bring relief efforts. Please keep his sister and family in your prayers as they continue to grieve their loss and struggle with the same crop devastation due to the floods.
