I hope that all of you had a great time at New Year and
its celebration. To start the year of
2015, we would like to give thanks to our Living God and Lord who blesses all
of us to get through another year of 2014, which some did not make it
through. Pray to God that He will
continue to move among us so that His will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Bible Conference in Myitkyina.
For the most part of December I spent my time in Kachin
State of Myanmar, Myitkyina and Putao in particular. The mission trip was a real
blessing! Myitkyina is the capital city
of Kachin State in Myanmar. It has been
the hub of trading and business, particularly jade and gold, of Kachin State. Flying seems to be one of the ways to go to
Myitkhina. The railway takes over 24
hours from Mandalay and the railway tracks have been used for over 100 years
without repair. The flight takes about
55 minutes from Mandalay. The population
is a little over 150,000 and more than half of the population is Lisu. Particularly at the border area between
Myanmar and China, hundreds of thousands of Lisu people live there. These Lisu people are still worshipping the
evil spirits and are heavily growing opium as their main cash crop.
The living standard is very bad, perhaps we have to wind
our clock back 50 years back from Thailand and 100 years back from the
USA. Traveling is limited. Someone told me that the whole town’s
vehicles, except one car, are running without legitimate licenses. Mostly I traveled by motorcycle (scooter). Sanitation is poor, food taste different, fat
and oily food mostly; however, my spirit was moving when I saw their hunger for
God’s Word. They love to learn what the
Bible says and discuss what it meant and means for them in now a day. They also have opened their hearts to hear
what is going on outside of their country.
They kept asking us to preach almost every opportunity. Just before Nick and Joe arrived, I preach at
least 4 times a week (Wednesday night, Saturday night, Sunday morning, noon and
sometime evening) with 3-4 different churches.
Though my Lisu dialect differs from some of them, we could communicate
well through what we call “the biblical Lisu dialect.” Overall, I did really enjoy the ministry
during the trip, particularly the Bible teacher conference. I am looking forward, if God is willing, to
make another trip with Nick and Joe this upcoming April, 2015.
Waiting to preach at one of the biggest church in Myitkyina
This church has almost 1000 members
Teaching at Bible conference for all Bible teachers
Our team including Nick Wongratanamajcha and Joe Snyder
had a great time in teaching those Bible teachers in various contexts; some
teaching at Bible colleges, other at Bible training center, many at churches
whether teaching Bible at Sunday school, women or even children. They requested us to going back and conduct
more teaching conference to the elders and other groups of church leaders in
the area in the near future.
Nick has introduced a youth ministry at the
conference. Though youth camp is
available once a year, but the youth ministers or youth ministry does not exist. This is a new and challenging ministry. Nick presented to them if there is no solid
youth minister or youth ministry in church sooner or later all the churches
will die out. Youth are their future
leaders or church members. When the
older generation passes away, the youth will carry on their faith and legacy
into their own generation. If no youth
ministries exist, how could this youth be rooted and solid with God’s Word into
their own generations. Many church
leaders have seen this needed ministry.
Praise the Lord!
Nick introducing a Youth ministry to Christian leaders
Translating for Joe Snyder
Here are Nick’s brief notes on the Youth ministry:
“I am really saddened when I see the youth of Asian
countries addicted to drugs and alcohol, and even worse, no longer attending
church to fellowship with the Christian community. There are many reasons that
the youth (Christians and non-Christians) are turning into addicts but I
believe that the lack of youth ministry is one of the major reasons. In the
States, I worked with the youth of Fairview Christian Church, and although the
youth ministry program wasn’t always a success, it seems to be a good place
where kids can come and receive support, have good role models, and most
importantly, learn to be like Christ. It saddens me that these churches lack
the youth.
During this trip to Myanmar, I was able to present to
the leaders my dream about starting up youth ministry programs, and they
received it well. They see the same problems that I see, and would like to
invest in the youth. I would like to train up youth leaders and youth ministers
in the Lisu churches and help them establish a youth ministry program. Please
continue to pray for the Lisu people, and especially for the Lisu youth.
I will be heading to Myanmar again in April with a
team of youth ministers from America to help bring this dream into a reality
for Christ’s Kingdom. Although it may take years and years before youth
ministry is established, it needs to start. Thank you so much for your prayers
and support. If you would like to join us in this great cause for His Kingdom
or have any advices, please let me know. God bless.”
The AIS has four students who come from Myitkyina
area. After studying with us for number
of years, they have been greatly accepted and well known for their biblical
knowledge. When I heard many people talk
about them on how well they serve, it brought me joy to see the fruit of AIS’
teaching ministry is producing more and more fruits. This is happening because of your faithful
partnership. Without your participation,
our ministry would not be where it is today in bringing light to this dark
world. Most of all, praise the Lord for
allowing us, as simple and sinful men, in serving His great ministry of grace
in making disciples to all nations.
A taste of the Youth Ministry
Starting with devotion
Enjoying the game!
Mission trip to Putao,
Just a few days before the conference at Myitkyina, I
made a trip to Putao with a senator of Myanmar and Sarmuekhi (AIS’ student). Putao is located at the very north of Myanmar
next to the border of China, in the east, and India, in the west. The flight took about 40 minutes from
Myitkyina to Putao with the old purple plan.
It was so cold, temperatures under 10 cc at night. Most houses are built from bamboo with palm
leaf or thatches roofs. Sleeping on mats
on the floor plus wind blowing through the cracks of the bamboo walls made even
colder nights for us. Many places have
no electricity (no shower for 5 days). Motorcycle (scooter) is the major
transportation. The area has very poor
health and hygiene. Malaria and TB are
the most deadly disease killing several dozens of people in each year and
thousands of people suffer daily.
Putao is the place where over hundred thousands of Lisu
and Rawang people live in this area.
Christianity once flourished in this area. Almost every of Lisu and Rawang people in this
area are Christians. Once, churches were
packed with over thousands of church members.
Today, churches have been divided and many church building were shut
down by the government in order to keep peace and order. Today, people have turned their house into
places for church services. House
churches are almost everywhere. Church
leaders still go to court or city hall due to their confliction. I don’t know what or who has caused this
division, but it was heartbreaking.
Morning life in Putao
Morning market at Putao
most churches have been shut down
One of the house churches in Putao
Night life in Putao (gathering at fire place)
A common house
morning life
a common life
picture with a senator
Christmas 2014
Christmas among Lisu people is congregational oriented,
not family oriented. From the beginning
of Lisu Christian history, Christmas has been the time for Christians gather
together in order to hear the Word of God.
At Christmas, everyone would pool their rice and food then cook together
at one place and eat together as a community.
I did really enjoy not only to see their hunger for the Word of God, but
also to experience their unity in faith. My soul was moved when I saw the unity
among the churches. For Christmas 2014, I was invited to be one of the speakers
at two Christmas conventions at Myitkyina and at Weinmow. Myitkyina is located at the West side of
Irrawadee River and Weinmow is on the East side. There is only one bridge to cross the river
and the bridge shuts down at 9:00 pm. Traveling at night is prohibited. There
were over 4,000 Christians attended at Myitkyina and over 500 at Weinmow. I was asked to preach at Myitkyina for the
evening services on December 23 for the noon service on December 25 plus
preaching at Weinmow on December 24.
Since I stayed at Myitkyina, there was no problem at all on the
Myitkyina side. But traveling to preach
at Weinmow was a heartbreaking experience!
At night, the insurgent were around Weinmow and trying to beat the time
before the bridge closes was an unspeakable experience. Praise the Lord for his protection and
experience with such blessed moment!
A 2014 Christmas convention at Myitkyina
A show at Christmas convention
Lisu ladies at Myitkyina
Family
After returning from the mission trip, I thought that I
would have a family time with my family.
Unexpectedly, a group of Christian leaders came all the year from China
in order to spend the New Year celebration with us. Their love and thoughtfulness did really
touch us and have encouraged us to continue firmly in carrying out the Great
Commission to the lost souls and building up His church among the remote and
restricted people. Above all, they came
from the area where Mary was born in China and after tracking the family
history, it turned out most of them are close relatives of Mary. This turned out to be the real blessing for
Mary during the New Year celebration.
Praise the Lord!
I am really being blessed by the family. They always sacrifice their family life and
specially their Christmas time so that I will be able to fulfill the mission
works. Isaac, in particular, celebrated
his 8th birthday without complaining his dad was not around. Mary has taken care of all the family needs
while I was absent and even taking charge for all the mission works here in
Thailand. It is going to be 6 years that
we have been on the mission field. If
God is willing, we are planning to make a visit to USA during the summer. John is going to be his senior for this
coming. We are praying if God is willing,
we will take him to the USA during this summer to introduce him to his birth
country and to prepare him for his college.
A group picture with Chinese leaders
Prayer Request:
1.
The family plan on this coming summer.
2.
John’s preparation for his college education.
3.
The Youth Camp at Myitkyina in April 2015.
4.
The evangelistic works in China, Myamar,
Thailand and Laos.
5.
The equipping ministry of AIS.
May God bless you in abundance.
In Christ,
Stephen
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