Trip to Yangon 10-14 Aug 14



1st Batch church Planters in Myanmar
Introduction

Bro James and I went on this trip. The objective of this trip was to conduct training for our 1st batch of church planters.

Exciting Departure

We departed Singapore on 10 Aug. Everything appeared normal until one hour into the flight. The aircraft captain announced that the aircraft has to divert to Penang due to a medical emergency. On landing at Penang, we learnt that one of the passengers had died in flight. By the time we arrived in Yangon, we were delayed by three hours. On the same day on our way to the hotel, our car was hit by a van. It was raining and the roads were slippery. We missed the front car by a few millimetres. Thank God there was no injury, only damage to the car. Those in the car realised that if not for God’s intervention, things could have been worst. Praise God. We realised that the gates of hell are being threatened by our activities and hence these distractions. But God is still in Control.

Sessions
 
The next three days were spent teaching the students at the Myanmar Theological Center. Bro James taught on Spiritual Gifts and I taught on  Spiritual Leadership. We also spoke to the student body during the chapel services.


We are happy with the 1st batch. They were very enthusiastic and engaging in the classes. They had many questions and we are confident that they will be effective on the ground. On the second day the Lord ministered to the students as they came forward to make a commitment. Many wept as the Spirit of the Lord began to work in their lives.

Prayer Points

A few needs and long term planning:
  • The students will be graduating by the end of the year. We need partners to support them in church planting.
  • We can use the centre to train church planters for Thailand and Laos, since Myanmar shares the same border. Just thinking a loud for prayer and feedback.
  • Many people do not have a clear understanding of the needs and challenges in Myanmar. The scenario in Myanmar is very different from India. We may want to organise a missions conference next year, bringing our reps from the different regions to challenge the spore church of the mandate to fulfill the Great Commission.
  • Prayer is needed for the 1st batch church planters. The places where they intend to go after training are very difficult regions. We were moved by some of the challenges the students families and friends were facing even now because of their faith.
Conclusion

The next trip will be in end Sep. We praise God for what He is doing. We are happy with what we have seen. Pst John Phongshar and his team are doing an excellent work. We discussed future plans and we realised that there are so many opportunities in Myanmar. Myanmar is fast developing and modernising and the authorities are realising to need to control religious activities.  We need to move in now. We need partners to come along and take Myanmar for Christ. We thank all who prayed for us.


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