we sent to help minister in the aftermath of a cyclone that devastated Myanmar:wiped out. We heard
stories of mothers losing the majority of their families and individuals
clinging to coconut trees for hours to survive. As their families were stripped
from their lives, also was the feeling and vision of hope.
space. The rice fields are still soaking in salt water and much of the
cattle were lost during the storm. Food is scarce and children go to
school under UNICEF tarps.
Getting there involved an arduous journey. The
road to the delta was long, hot, bumpy and wearying. At one point the
ancient van ground to a halt after a particularly jarring rut. “Ah, we get out and push,” said our translator. So we got out and pushed the van. It started again, we hopped in, and went, chuckling, on our World Race way.
roads – not a single minute went by without
braking hard or bouncing over a huge hole brought us to the city of
LaButta, the largest city in the Irrawaddy Delta. Cyclone
Nargis hit the area in May 2008, devastating villages all around and
killing about 130,000 people.
Only Burmese government officials and a few NGOs were allowed to go into the delta. Aid workers only. No tourists.
States they would have been called shacks) that had been blown away by
Nargis.
relieve myself, and found myself literally on top of another destroyed
house. Suddenly I noticed an older woman sitting in the rubble of the
house. “Minglaba,” I said, greeting her in Burmese. Bamboo rods and
woven mats were scattered over the old site, and all that was still
standing was a huge water jar, the kind you find outside most village
houses in Southeast Asia. The woman kindly pointed me to the back of
the once-house, where larger bushes would hide me from any passers-by.”
Once we arrived, we linked up with a local church. Since CycloneNargis hit, the church has grown with 70 new people
giving their lives to Christ. Formerly, most of the church members had
been Buddhist. But they’ve found hope in Jesus that they never found in
Buddha. As they meet in a wooden shack and pray on woven straw mats, they’re defying their government, which endorses Buddhism.
knees and cries out in prayer. Fervency and desperation mark their
cries as they clasp their hands in front of their chests, or hold them
open to God, asking Him to bring His KINGDOM to their country. To
Myanmar.
Thousands of orphans crying for their lost familiesBells ringing as the Buddhist celebrate another traditional holidayGovernment officials telling locals to stay away from foreigners (esp. Americans)
Survivors’ hunger pains,
A child’s scream as another is taken to become a child soldier,
Fear of man in the sound of silence,
A mother’s broken heart shatters as she sees no future for her family.
Send checks to:
Adventures in Missions
PO Box 534470
Atlanta, GA 30353-4470
Write checks out to “Adventures in Missions” and in the ‘for’ line write “World Race Ministry – Myanmar.”
If you prefer, you may click here to donate online through AIM’s secure
website. Please indicate “World Race Ministry – Myanmar” in the box.
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Seth Barnes
I'm motivated to join God in his global reclamation project. He's on the move, setting his sons and daughters free from their places of captivity. And he's partnering with those of us who have been freed to go and free others.
Hi Seth,
I was reflecting for some reason today about our intersecting work experiences at the old Institute For International Development (now Opportunity International)and the passion you showed a quarter century ago for the poor. We both had it even when better judgement would have had us not ordering a pitcher of beer with lunch. 🙂 I am thankful that fire has not been quenched by the vagaries of life, the temptations of ministry work or the natural dangers of living in a fallen world.
Your report again reveals your heart. I’m reminded of the story of General William Booth (founder of The Salvation Army) who when asked about the direction for that fledging ministry which is now a billion dollar enterprise he answered with one word-“Others!”
You have his heart and I’m so glad you are soon to be a thirty year friend.
Much love,
Butch