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| KFC in Mandalay |
It’s
summer here in Thailand; it’s great time for traveling and outdoor evangelism.
Mary and Stephen have just come back from the mission trip to Myanmar. During
the mission trip, it was the third time that Stephen attempted to cross into
Nagaland in India. It seems that God hasn’t opened the door for Stephen in this
area yet. Each time, there have been an escalation of military tension at the
border of Myanmar and India. This time, the war between the local militants and
the Burmese army was about to break out. Please pray for this region with all
the war going on.
Wasting
no time, Stephen spent time at a youth camp in Myitkyina; there were over 500
youth attending this camp. The president of the camp wanted Stephen to open up
the minds of the youth to be ready for the coming trends of the world. Since
the country had been closed for several decades, the people are unprepared for
incoming globalization. Christians have not been prepared for the new kinds of
temptations and trials. Churches are not ready the new challenging of faith. Many
younger generations have been struggling with drug addictions and alcoholism
even though they called themselves Christians.
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| Junior camp |
The
highlight of the Myanmar trip was in Mandalay, where Stephen and Mary had to
stop for a two-night layover before flying back to Thailand. On the first day,
they had an opportunity for sightseeing and to visit historic sites. Even
though they had been to Mandalay several times, this was their first time to
enjoy actually seeing the city. On top of this, they went to one of the city’s
slums to share God’s Word and to demonstrate His love by providing their basic
needs and candies particularly the kids who live there; ended their visiting
with prayers for the people.
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| Slum in Mandalay |
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| Mary with disadvantaged kids |
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| Mary is giving candies |
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Mary is giving cooking oils,
noodles and etc |
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| The Bible leaflets |
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| Mary gives her testimony |
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| Stephen is preaching His message |
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| Ending with praying |
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| a group picture! |
The
second day, they also went to a tourist site called the Ubein Bridge, where
thousands of people visit each day, in order to hand out Bible leaflets. Over
3,000 leaflets had been given to nonbelievers. Praise the Lord! Stephen and
Mary ended that day with a visit to one of the orphanages in Mandalay and fed
the children with a decent meal: beef, fish and various vegetables. It was a
great joy to see these orphan joyfully giggling with each other while they were
eating. Stephen and Mary expressed, “our hearts almost melted when they prayed
for us by calling our names during prayer time.”
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| Feeding the orphans! |
During
that time, the president of Shiloh Christian College in Mandalay requested
Stephen to equip their professors and their church leaders to be in rooted with
the Word of God in the near future. The Shiloh Christian College is a college
with various ethnic group of people; Chin, Burmese, Lisu, Hmong, Shan, and even
Vietnamese. We are given many more ministries to take care of; we need more
field workers. Please pray that God provides more field workers and also
resources so that we can expand the Kingdom of God.
In
the early weeks of April, Stephen and Nick will go into Lao in order to work
with the Christian Hmong. The Hmong are a large ethnic group living mainly in
China, Vietnam and Laos; a great number of Hmong have immigrated to America.
The country of Lao is communistic in nature but they have a main religion of
Buddhism. Lao is a country known to persecute Christians, so your prayers would
be much appreciated. Stephen and Nick have been invited to go and help Christians
in Laos with the wholistic ministry. This is a great opportunity for us to
expand His Kingdom into Laos.
At
home, Chiang Mai has had the worst pollution due to people burning the forests.
At this moment, the pollution levels of Chiang Mai has been among the top most
polluted cities due to these fires. Everyone is recommended to wear pollution
face masks in Chiang Mai and it has affected our family and friends health.
Please continue to pray for us. We ask you a special prayer for Mary. Her
health is deteriorated. She is facing several health problems. No matter what
situations we are facing, we know that our God is good and He is in control!
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| KFC with a Burmese flavor! |
