Jesus touching lives in Myanmar

Our time in Myanmar is over, but as we look back we see what an awesome trip it was as God did many wonderful works.

We saw 61 people make decisions for Jesus, some even though they know they will face hardships from family members who are Buddhists and from other Buddhists. I was honored to baptize six new believers, including one who told us of the ramifications that could happen to her because of her decision to follow Jesus and be baptized. But, she decided Jesus was worth it. Praise God! Now that's extreme faith.

This was the first mission trip where we showed the Jesus Film in a couple of outreaches. It was great. It helped people to understand the Gospel better, and to hear it in their own language was special to them.

Martha and I dedicated the new Harvest Church-Myanmar, named after our home church in Dothan, Ala. They were so excited and told us over and over again to thank Pastor Ralph Sigler and the members of Harvest for accepting them.

We led the first Love In Action-Myanmar/Grace Theological College Bible seminar and taught 68 people for two consecutive days on the theme, "Discipleship: Carrying out the Great Commission." We taught students, church leaders and church workers. It was an awesome time in God's word. We had times of questions and answers, and those were great. It was an excellent time of interaction to dig deeper into the Word of God.

On our last full day in Yangon, Martha and I were honored to participate in the graduation service of five students from Grace Theological College. Martha presented NIV Study Bibles to the graduates and awards to graduates and underclassmen. They gave me the great honor of being the guest speaker for the graduation service. There were 168 people in attendance. It was a beautiful service as God was glorified and students honored.

While we were there, one of the graduates committed to staying at Harvest Church-Myanmar instead of going back home. We were all excited to hear that, because we need a missionary pastor in an area on the other side of the Yangon River where we had a very successful outreach. He is going to that area, and to make it even better, we already have a sponsor for him. Within five minutes of posting the need on our Facebook page, a precious couple who are active with LIA, and already sponsoring two pastors in the Philippines and children in Haiti, committed to fully supporting him. Glory to God!

We will find a house for him and the church will start there, then if the response is good, which we know it will be, we'll build a church.

We met Bro. Solomon, who is a missionary pastor who graduated from GTC a year ago. He was our first indigenous missionary LIA supported in Myanmar. We held a service at his house and the seeds he has planted throughout this past year grew and were harvested. This is where the six new believers who were baptized came from. He is doing a wonderful work. Now we need to build a church in his area. We are praying to be able to do that this year.

We thank our wonderful brothers, Pastors Mang, Siang and Eng and all of the members of Harvest Church-Myanmar and staff of GTC for a wonderful time. Their hospitality was incredible, and their thankfulness truly humbling. Pastor Siang told us it makes him tear up with tears of joy when he thinks about our partnership and that there is a Love In Action Myanmar.

Our precious family in Myanmar are very poor, but they don't let the lack of resources stop their work for God. Their faith in Jesus and dedication to carry out His work inspires us.

We look forward to working closer with them. As partners in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we will spread the Good News throughout this country, which has 40 million people who have never heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Please join us in praying for our brothers and sisters and for Myanmar. And please pray about helping us financially to reach this country that is dominated by Buddhism. It's sad to see so many people deceived. Let's shine the light of Jesus for all to see.