Global Mission Study Guide 2013-2014 Myanmar · PDF fileDevotional . By Dr. May Maung Maung,...

Global Mission Study Guide 2013-2014

Embrace the Cause

Myanmar

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Dear Friends,

All during my growing up years I really never experienced what it was like to be “embraced.” So my very first experi-ence of being hugged felt awkward and yet comforting and reassuring. Finally I felt loved. Through the years, I have been reminded over and over again

how God has worked in my life and has continually “em-braced” me. God has given me experiences of sharing how He is working in the lives of our missionaries and the work American Baptist International Ministries is doing to help people know Jesus Christ and meet their basic needs.

Myanmar: Embrace The Cause is the theme for this Global Mission Study Guide. As you read through the guide, you will see stories of women in Myanmar/Burma and how they have overcome so many difficulties, but yet have embraced Christ. Faith has sustained them. I believe God is going to continue to work in their lives as well as in the lives of those they serve every day.

God has called each one of us to “Embrace the Cause” and share our stories. It means to take risks and allow God to work so that others might know who God is. Just as Ann and Adoniram Judson took that first trip in 1812 to 1813 as missionaries to a country they knew little about. They set an example for us by accepting Christ’s calling. Because of the Judsons’ calling and ministry, we are able to celebrate with those in Myanmar/Burma this 200th anniversary of Christian-ity there.

May all of us “Embrace the Cause.” First John 3:18 tells us, “Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.”

Blessings and Peace,

Chris MarzialeInternational Ministries Liaison to American Baptist Women’s Ministries

IntroductionContentsMaking a World of Difference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Bible Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Bible Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Devotional . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Devotional . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Timeline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Myanmar Map . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Story: “Embrace the Cause” by Welcoming People from Myanmar/Burma into Our Churches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Story: About the Myanmar Baptist Convention Women’s Department . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Story: Anna’s Story . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Story: Protecting Women in the Workforce . . . . . 13

Stories: Community Health Helper Training Saves Lives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

The Work of a Pastor’s Wife . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Myanmar Community Health Care Training Goal: $4,510 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

2 2013–2014 Global Mission Study Guide — Myanmar

Making a World of DifferenceBy Virginia Holmstrom, executive director, American Baptist Women’s Ministries

A century before American Baptist Women organized in 1951, Baptist women were already organizing mis-sion societies to send missionaries both near and far.

This week I became acquainted with one of those American Baptist missionaries through her memoirs. In 1883, young 25-year-old Laura Hardin of Nebraska began a journey to Burma* as a teacher/missionary under appointment by the Women’s American Baptist Foreign Mission Society of the West. She was assigned to oversee the Society’s newly organized high school in Bassein, Burma. She later became one of the first missionaries to work with the Chin people in Burma. Along with others, Laura Hardin helped make a world of difference.

I marvel now at the far-reaching impact of young Laura’s missionary service in Burma. These things I ponder: My pas-tor is a Chin who grew up in Burma hearing of the American Baptist missionaries of long ago that taught the Bible and lived the gospel among his people. I think of Htoo May, a friend who grew up in Burma and now lives in Nebraska. She celebrates “Judson Day” every year and is founder and leader of the Karen (ka-wren’) Baptist Women’s Organiza-tion in the United States. I think, too, of Esther Byu who 30 years ago traveled from Burma to study in the United States, receiving scholarships for her theological education through ABWM’s national mission project, which was created for her. She returned from Asia in 2010 to express her thanks to American Baptist women for investing in her education that equipped her to become a global leader in women’s minis-tries.

Our study of Myanmar/Burma this year is an opportunity to embrace renewed connections with our Baptist sisters in Myanmar/Burma.

*The name of the country was changed from Burma to Myanmar in 1989.

3www.internationalministries.org

The Ideal Kingdom

ScriptureThe wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze, their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den. They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. (Isaiah 11:6-9)

IntroductionThe heart of every human is longing for a peaceful and harmonious life. To gain this standard, coun-tries are making wars, using terrible armed forces and killings. Whenever we turn to newspapers, news on TV, and the Internet we can see these undesirable events. The more people try to attain peace, the more we face unrest throughout the universe.

What is real peace? Where can we find genuine peace? Who can give us peace?

• The word “Peace” is interchangeable with the word “Shalom.” It is a state of freedom from fear, hostility, injustice, oppression, and bitter relationships. To attain this state, the world fails to es-tablish a peaceful and ideal kingdom. The more people fight for peace, the more they encounter disasters, chaos, and ruin.

• Isaiah 11:6-9 fully describes the characters of an ideal kingdom.

• An ideal kingdom will be established only when the day of the root of Jesse brings forth a shoot (a majestic one) for the world. He will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. He will rule with righteousness and justice so that there will be no more tears and sorrows. Every creature will enjoy “Shalom”—peace, because the Prince of Peace, the giver of peace is dwelling with them.

• God promises His people to have peace. Only God can bless us with peace.

• Numbers 6:24-26: “The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”

• 2 Thessalonians. 3:16: “May the Lord of peace himself give you peace always in every way”

• John 20:26: “Peace be with you,” said Jesus.

• John 14:27: “Peace. I leave with you; my peace I give to you.”

• God’s will for human beings is always:

• That all persons be saved. (Mark 16:15, John 3:16, 2 Peter 3:9, Revelation 22:17)

• That all come to the knowledge of the truth (Hebrews 4:12, 2 Timothy 3:16)

ConclusionIf everyone on earth came to know the truth, which is Jesus Christ, the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6), they would experience the essence of peace in their life and able to share “Shalom” in every society, and every situation.

Let there be “peace on earth” (Luke 2:14).

Bible StudyBy Rev. Dr. Angela Pun, Myanmar Institute of Theology


Women as Agents of Change to Embrace the Cause

ScriptureJohn 4:1-42

IntroductionThere is a Burmese saying: “The cackling of a hen never hails the dawn.” It means that whatever a woman says does not matter because no one takes it as important. Despite the saying, there are many influential women in Myanmar/Burma and in the world. Women, therefore, can be effec-tive witnesses for Christ as agents of change to embrace the cause.

1. The Samaritan woman was an effective witness for Christ as an agent of change to the people of that city. How?

• She came to draw some water at Jacob’s well about noon, which indicates that she avoided people be-cause of her sinful life. She had five husbands and the man she lived with at the time was not her husband.

• In order to give her the living water Jesus asked her to give him a drink and revealed all things that she ever did.

• She perceived Jesus as a prophet and talked about worship places and the Messiah who was coming. This led Jesus to declare to her that he is the Messiah whom they had been waiting for.

• At that point she left her water pot, hurried to go back to the city, and told the people to come and see a man who told her all things that she ever did and wondered, “Could this be the Christ?”

• Many believed in him because of her testimony. They urged him to stay with them and he stayed there for two days. When they heard his own words many more believed and said, “Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.”

2. Women are effective witnesses for Christ as agents of change to people. Why?

• By one Spirit, men and women are baptized into one body, have equal right to serve one Lord, and the same status through Christ (Galatians 3:28).

• Women’s deep concerns for others lead to their con-cerns for lost souls.

• Women’s talkativeness is useful to build friendships easily. That is an important track for Christian witness.

3. Women are effective witnesses for Christ as agents of change to people. How?

• Women can lead family devotions, Bible reading, and Bible study at home.

• Women can build friendships with neighbors, have lunch, dinner, and picnics together with them in order to witness to them and invite them to church to hear the Gospel.

• Women can organize neighbors and friends for Bible study groups and evangelistic activities.

ConclusionWomen can be witnesses for Christ in their own homes, at their work places, with their neighbors and friends, and to the world as shown by the Samaritan woman.

Discussion questions: • Why was the Samaritan woman’s witness for Christ

effective?

• Discuss how, when, and where women can witness for Christ.

• Discuss the tremendous impact on women of Jesus’ declaration to a woman, “I am the Messiah.”

Bible StudyBy Rev. Dr. Mang Cuai, Falam Baptist Church, Yangon


Devotional By Dr. May Maung Maung, advisor to the Myanmar Baptist Convention Women’s Department

Embrace the Cause

ScriptureThe beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever else you get, get insight. Prize her highly, and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her. She will place on your head a fair garland; she will bestow on you a beautiful crown.” (Proverbs 4:7-9)

MeditationBeing a teacher, Ann Judson saw that women of Burma needed educa-tion. So she started a ‘’Kitchen School” in her home, which attracted many girls, rich and poor. One girl by the name of Ma Min Lay was in-spired by this and she became the first woman of Burma to accept Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. Records say that Ma Min Lay was an edu-cated, soft-spoken woman of real talent who brought friends with her to learn from Ann Judson.

Ma Min Lay went on to start a Christian school to train the young people of Burma. This school was also the first coeducational school. From the very beginning, the Gospel’s emphasis on the equality of the sexes in God’s sight was given practical expression in this school. It was radically different from the monastic schools that existed at the time, which accepted boys only. Ma Min Lay’s school was the first in a long line of schools to help educate the young people of Burma.

Ann was happy and satisfied that women of Burma could study shoulder to shoulder with men and attend medical, engineering, law, and commerce colleges. Before she passed away, she had built a school for boys and girls, and prepared herself to be the principal.

When we “embrace the cause,” God can make miracles happen in our lives. It is also a legacy that has passed down from generation to genera-tion. During the Japanese occupation and British rule, we went through heartbreaking experiences. A bomb fell right on our house and we lost everything, including two of my aunts and uncle. Our lives were spent in the jungle hiding and moving from place to place.

After Burma gained her independence in 1948, our whole family was put in jail and our property, including house and car, was taken from us, again. All our parents could give us was an education and encourage-ment to ‘’embrace the cause” that Jesus invited us with his promise, “I will never forsake you nor leave you, I will be with you always.”

We don’t talk about “how” when we “embrace the cause,” God takes care of everything that happens in our lives. Only follow God’s way, ac-cept God’s will and God will do things at God’s own time.

Embracing the cause will give you many challenges, difficulties, ob-stacles, and persecutions. But take courage and bless God and “He will make straight your paths” (Proverbs 3:6).

Ann Judson


Devotional By Nant Hnin Phyu, president, Myanmar Baptist Convention Women’s Department

Thy Will Be Done

ScriptureYour kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10)

MeditationTwo hundred years ago, a young and newly wedded young couple, Adoniram and Ann Judson, sailed to Asia for mis-sionary work. They had chosen an uncertain future, leaving their parents, relatives, and friends to spread the gospel. They arrived in Burma on July 13, 1813. They learned that God had a special plan for them for spreading the Gospel in this strange land. They faced many challenges and difficul-ties. One of them was the language barrier. Therefore, they began to learn the Burmese language. Adoniram translated the Holy Bible into Burmese from the original Hebrew and Greek. He also prepared dictionaries of Burmese into English and English into Burmese. He did this to help foreigners learn the Burmese language and literature; he also worked on a Burmese grammar book.

The Judsons built a traditional shelter called a zayat, a place for rest and meetings.

They invited passersby into the zayat and preached the gospel message through their personal contact and tracts that they handed out. The people in this land were not re-ceptive to the gospel. The Judsons won a new convert only after six years. Their life and ministry in Burma was filled with problems and hardships. Adoniram, was even imprisoned by the authorities because they thought he might be a spy.

For the sake of the gospel of Christ, Adoniram, his wife, and children lived sacrificially. As a result, we have about five thousand Baptist churches with about 1.5 to 2 million believers today. These are the wonderful acts that God ac-complished through the Judsons.

Jesus commissioned his disciples to go and share the gospel with all nations (Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 1:8, Mark. 16:15). Jesus’ disciples were obedient and witnessed wher-ever they were. When Peter preached, 3,000 people were baptized in one day (Acts 2:41). In another instance, there were about 5,000 people who came to faith (Acts 4:4). The Apostle Paul traveled to many regions and preached the gospel. He was persecuted and suffered for the sake of the gospel. But he won many converts and planted many new churches. He said, “Woe to me if I do not proclaim the gos-pel!” (1 Corinthians. 9:16). It is the same with our present-day

churches. Every church, as well as every Christian, is respon-sible to share the gospel of Christ to everyone around them. God wants his people to tell the story of love and redemp-tion to other people. God calls every Christian to participate in evangelism.

There are many people who never have heard the gospel. Pray for them today that God will provide ways and means to reach them with the gospel. God has given us his only Son, Jesus Christ, for salvation. Let’s commit ourselves to God’s mission today.

“Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:38).


February 6, 1812Adoniram and Ann Judson are commis-sioned as Congregationalist missionar-ies at the Tabernacle Church of Salem, Massachusetts.

September 6, 1812While sailing to India, the Judsons study believer’s baptism in the Bible and em-brace the teaching. They are baptized by immersion on this day at the Lal Bazar Church in Calcutta, India.

July 13, 1813The Judsons arrive in Burma.

May 18, 1814Luther Rice returns to the United States to raise money for the Judsons and during this month Baptists organize

“The General Missionary Convention of the Baptist Denomination in the United States of America for Foreign Missions,” later known as the “Triennial Conven-tion,” because it met every three years. Today this organization is known as American Baptist International Ministries.

June 27, 1819Maung Nau, a Burmese man, was bap-tized as the Judsons’ first convert.

October 24, 1826Ann Judson passed away. Adoniram would remarry twice, first to Sarah Boardman, who passed away in 1844, and then Emily Chubbuck.

May 16, 1828Judson’s fellow missionary, George Dana Boardman baptizes Ko Tha Byu, a Karen (ka-wren’)who became an evangelist to his own people. By 1907, there were 748 Karen Baptist churches with 47,000 members.

December 15, 1865The Burma Baptist Missionary Conven-tion was formed. Today, this organiza-tion is known as the Myanmar Baptist Convention, and there are 18 regional or language sub-conventions under its umbrella.

May 1907When Baptists came together to form the Northern Baptist Convention, American Baptists had 138 missionaries in Burma involved with 843 churches, with 58,642 members.

1962The government was overthrown by the military, which still rules the country today.

1963 – 1967During this four-year period, the government became more and more re-strictive of foreign missionaries, and the 46 American Baptist missionaries that remained in the country were forced out by 1967.

1989The military government changed the name of the country from Burma to Myanmar

July 2007Duane and Marcia Binkley, serving under appointment by American Bap-tist International Ministries since 1982, became jointly appointed by Coopera-tive Baptist Fellowship to work with Karen, Chin, Kachin, and other ethnic minorities in Myanmar, who have fled to refugee camps and are being brought to the United States. Estimates in 2007 put over 122,000 people in refugee camps along the Thai-Burma border, and as many as 11,000 being offered a new life in America.

May 2008Cyclone Nargis strikes Myanmar. Re-ports have estimated that over 100,000 people were killed and over 2 million people were displaced. The Myanmar Baptist Convention, which now has 4,500 churches and more than 2 million baptized members, said over 7,000 Baptists lost their lives, including 28 pas-tors and evangelists. The Convention hopes to raise more than $1.5 million to help 100,000 people in 18,000 families reclaim their lives.

2013Celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Judsons’ arrival in Burma com-mences.

2014Celebration of the 200th anniversary of the formation of the General Missionary Conven-tion of the Baptist Denomination in the United States of America for Foreign Missions, now named American Baptist International Ministries.

Significant Dates Related to Myanmar/Burma

CE

LEBRATING 200 Y

EA

RS

1814 – 2014


Myanmar(Burma)

China

China

India

Bangla-desh

Bhutan

Thailand

YANGON(RANGOON)

Laos

Gulf of Thailand

Bay ofBengal

Adaman Sea

Myanmar Map and Country Facts

COUNTRY FACTS (Source: CIA Factbook)

Population: 55,167,330 (July 2013 est.)Size: 676,578 sq km, slightly smaller than the state of

TexasLocation: Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman

Sea and the Bay of Bengal, between Bangladesh and Thailand

Government: parliamentary government took power in March 2011

Capital: Rangoon (Yangon)Ethnic Groups: Burman 68%, Shan 9%, Karen 7%,

Rakhine 4%, Chinese 3%, Indian 2%, Mon 2%, other 5%Religions: Buddhist 89%, Christian 4% (Baptist 3%,

Roman Catholic 1%), Muslim 4%, animist 1%, other 2%Languages: Burmese (official)Note: minority ethnic groups have their own languages

Duane & Marcia BinkleyIM Missionaries – United StatesDuane and Marcia serve ethnic Karen, Chin and Kachin refugees originally from the country of Burma who are coming to live in the US as legal immigrants. They are jointly appointed by International Ministries and Cooperative Baptist Fellowship.

Trish Magal & Joel HoefleIM Development Workers – Thailand & MyanmarChildren: Dominika Lee, Celestyna Rose & Katiana LeeTrish and Joel Hoefle are development workers serving in both Thailand and Myanmar. They have been jointly appointed by Hope International and International Ministries.

In the country of Myanmar/Burma, for over six decades, the Karen and other ethnic minorities have been attacked and driven from their homes by the Burmese government

troops. With roots going back almost 200 years to Adoniram Judson, many of the Karen are Christians and often loyal Baptists. Since 2005, Karen refugees have been resettled in the United States and 15 other countries around the world. About 70,000 Karen have come to live in the US legally, and many have found a home in our churches or are starting their own congregations. Other persecuted ethnic groups are the Chin and the Kachin. A majority of both people groups are also Baptist.

We have served as IM missionaries for 26 years, having served most of those years in Thailand. Since 2007, we have been jointly appointed through a partnership between IM and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF) in which we remain based in the US to help these refugees connect with each other and with our American Baptist and Cooperative Baptist churches wherever they are being settled in more than 150 cities.

We travel around the country visiting these growing im-migrant communities and the churches hosting them and provide resources. We also make one or two trips to Thailand each year to visit the refugee camps and the various orga-nizations that are processing the refugees for resettlement in third countries so we can get updates about the refugee situation on the border.

New Ministry FocusThere is a great need to help the pastors and church leaders of these immigrant churches to receive further theological

training. So, in 2011 we began a partner-ship with the Central Baptist Theological Seminary (CBTS) in Shawnee, Kansas.

We are adapting the Seminary’s “FOUNDATIONS” Program, which is a certificate-level lay pastors training program in their native languages (Karen, Chin, and Burmese). This new program is called: “FOUNDATIONS—Judson Communities,” or FJC. The approach is to conduct classes in theological training in various locations around the country, making them more accessible to the students. They will receive a certificate from the seminary after completing the full pro-gram of classes over a one-year period. The goal is to help them fit into the U.S. clergy/church system and perhaps help give status and recognition to these pastors as they seek ordination.

There are qualified instructors originally from Myanmar/Burma and living in the United States who can teach in the Burmese, Chin, and Karen languages. These instructors all have theological training and degrees. They will be recruited to teach the course subjects using curriculum from Central

Seminary and, if necessary, English-speaking instructors can be asked to teach certain subjects with translation. The first of these classes began in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, in September, 2012, and are being taught in the Karen language. Another program, also in the Karen language, started in March 2013 in Utica, New York, which is the second-largest Karen community in the United States. We hope that at least 200 people will complete the full program over the next few years. A second level of training could also be added in the future if there is interest.

In Hebrews 13:1-2, the Bible instructs us to “welcome the stranger” in our midst who may be living in our communi-ties. We should make the effort to find out who is living right outside the doors of our churches and then extend a warm welcome to these neighbors! Let’s seek to be a blessing to those around us who may need a friend and a “helping hand!”

In Matthew 25: 31-40 Jesus calls us to have compassion toward the “least of these.” Jesus, Mary, and Joseph were refugees themselves in Egypt where they fled the wrath of King Herod after Jesus’ birth. So, may we look for the pres-ence of Christ, the refugee, in the lives of these, our Karen, Chin, and Kachin brothers and sisters from Myanmar/Burma, or immigrants from any other place, who may be living in our neighborhood. As we accept and respect them, we allow them in turn to realize their own dignity and worth as hu-man beings, so that they can then make a positive contribu-tion to our churches and communities here in America.

Within our American Baptist denomination, real partner-ship with our Baptist brothers and sisters from Myanmar/Burma should be cultivated for the mutual blessing God desires to give to all of us. We are missing out on a huge area of potential growth if we fail to engage these diaspora communities from Myanmar/Burma across the country. The 200-plus immigrant churches and congregations among the Chin, Karen, and Kachin represent the largest church-plant-ing program in the American Baptist Churches! What an incredible opportunity this is for us to bless and be blessed!

“Embrace the Cause” by Welcoming People from Myanmar/Burma into Our ChurchesBy Duane and Marcia Binkley, IM missionaries serving refugees in Thailand and the United States

Students in the Ft. Wayne FJC program.


The Baptist Women of Myanmar as an organization of the Federation of the Myanmar Baptist Women Societ-ies was founded in 1957. It is comprised of the Baptist

Women from 18 different languages, regional groups and affiliated Baptist Churches (Immanuel and Judson). In 1986, the Federation of the Myanmar Baptist Women Societies was reorganized as the Women’s Department of Myanmar Baptist Convention.

A. Aims and Objectives of the Women’s Department

• To uplift spiritual growth of each woman

• To have fellowship in Christian love and concern with other racial groups

• To promote all around leadership development among women

• To build up missionary zeal not only in our country but also abroad

• To work in solidarity with the convention in all its plans and programs

It is difficult for us to train all women in language and regional conventions. As we realized the importance of identifying their needs, our department planned to establish the Women’s Leadership Development Center. This proposal was put up to the executive committee of Myanmar Baptist Convention and the approval for the project was given in March 1989.

The Center was dedicated on October 28, 1995. Since our opening, we have had many training experiences and programs at the center. We also have many mission projects and carry out women’s ministries.

B. Objectives of the Leadership Development Center

• To provide opportunities for acquiring knowledge and skills that would enrich the lives of women towards a better quality of life

• To enhance women’s self-image, self-awareness, self-worth, and self-reliance to improve their quality of life

• To help women achieve self-determination and holis-tic development

• To empower women in order that they may fulfill their multiple roles and function, particularly within the family, community, and nation in general by providing appropriate training for skill development

C. Programs and Training SessionsWe have implemented many programs at the Baptist Women’s Leadership Development Center, some of which are ongoing programs:

• Management training,

• English classes for children and youth,

• Computer training,

• Sewing classes,

• Pastor’s wives training,

• Flower arrangement training,

• Advanced women leadership training,

• Bible women training for language and regional groups,

• Deaconess training, and

• Community health care training.

D. Planning for the Future

• Mission and Evangelism to women

• Rural women development programs

• Skill training for women

• Increased emphasis on mission in the home, church, and community.

E. Prayer Requests

• For the Women’s Department to work together in har-mony, unity and enthusiasm, empowered by the Holy Spirit for the Kingdom of God.

• To have spiritual, physical strength, wisdom, and vi-sion from God to implement progressive programs.

• To receive God’s blessings and directions as we contin-ue to develop our work in the 21st Century.

• For the holistic development women.

• To pray for the Kachin families in Kachin State.

• To pray for the people in Rakhine State.

• To pray for the future of Myanmar Baptist Women’s mission.

About the Myanmar Baptist Convention Women’s DepartmentBy Kyi Kyi Aung, Director


Anna Soe has a reason to cel-ebrate! In December 2012, she became a U.S. citizen! This is

the first time that she has ever been “embraced” by any country and now at age 21 she can finally say she has a “homeland!”

The government of her original homeland of Myanmar/Burma rejected her and her family. They are considered “enemies of the state” because they are not “Burmese.” Anna is the youngest of five daughters born to parents of the ethnic group called the Karen who live in northeast Myanmar/Burma. Anna is just one of 70,000 Karen from Myan-mar/Burma who have come to live in the United States since 2005. They are here legally under the U.S. govern-ment-sanctioned refugee resettlement program.

Anna’s home village in eastern Myanmar/Burma was called “Ler Doe,” which in the Karen language means “Big Rock.” As a young child, she re-members the Burmese army attacking

her village repeatedly, burning it to the ground. When she was six-years-old, the Burmese army attacked her village once again. This time, her family could not return to their village because there were guards stationed around it.

Anna and her family were forced to flee their home. After one year, they crossed the border into Thailand and entered the Mae La refugee camp. The Mae La camp is the largest of nine refugee camps and houses 50,000 refugees from Myanmar/Burma. Anna attended school in the camp from the third through the tenth grades. When she was in the seventh grade, Anna’s father passed away due to illness.

In 2005, Anna’s family registered as official refugees and applied for re-settlement in the United States. Then, in 2007, Anna, her mother, and three of her sisters came to live in Kansas City, Missouri. Anna’s family, along with 150 other Karen from Myanmar/Burma, have been welcomed by the Grace Baptist Church in Kansas City in recent years.

Today, Anna serves as a liaison between the Karen and the Anglo congregations at the church. She helps both groups as a language translator and in other ways as well. The Karen congregation is called “Bah Soe Gay” or Blessing Church.

Anna has graduated from high school and is now in her second year of community college. She wants to get a nursing degree and work as an RN to help her people with their health needs. Anna has aspirations of becom-ing a medical doctor someday.

She says it has been a struggle to

get through school since English is her second language. Anna has a heart to help her people. She sees the struggles that the Karen people go through after they arrive in the United States. Many have fallen away from church. Some have gotten into bad situations and have many problems. She wishes she had been able to learn more about America, including English, before she came to live here.

The Karen are scattered in 150 cities across the United States. Anna hopes that they can find a way to keep connected with one another and preserve their unique culture, even as they adopt a new American way of life. This challenge is greater for the next generation as the Karen language and culture become foreign to them.

Anna asks American Baptist women to pray for her people, both here in America and in Myanmar/Burma. Pray that real and lasting peace will come to Myanmar/Burma so all peoples from every ethnic group can enjoy equal rights as citizens, and that they can truly call Myanmar/Burma their home-land!

Anna’s StoryBy Marcia Binkley

Anna Soe

Anna Speaking in the Karen service.


Unlike previous decades, the international community has become greatly aware of the issue of migration. Different people migrate from place to place, and

people these days are moving more than at previous times. Generally, people move to other places for many reasons: political instability, lack of economic opportunities, and natural disasters.

In Myanmar, local people are also moving from one place to another, and they normally migrate from rural to urban areas. Then, some of them again shift to border areas and to other developed countries. Due to differences between urban and rural areas, young people move to urban areas as they seek better job opportunities and quality of life.

Better job opportunities and increased income are ap-pealing to young people who are living in rural areas. Young women are working at different workplaces with various job titles. They commonly work in homes as domestic helpers, restaurants, mini-stores, manufacturing, agriculture, and livestock breeding. However, most young women earn their way as domestic helpers.

It is found that while some of the migrants earn a good living, others face many challenges. Some of the migrants do not have the appropriate skills for their jobs such as lack of knowledge, relevant work experiences, and language skills.

I would like to share two stories experienced by young migrant girls:

1. A young 15-year-old girl who lived in Ayeyarwaddy Divi-sion was sent by an agent to work in Yangon. She started working in BotataungTtownship, beginning in June, 2011. She was paid 25,000 kyats per month as her salary (ap-proximately $28 USD), which was received through the agent. Her mother also withdrew salary for two months in advance. One day, the girl was asked to throw away some trash and her host was fined 20,000 kyats for it. The host took that amount from her salary. Further, the host accused her of stealing soap and beat her with a belt. When she found herself with her skin seriously wounded she could not explain what and how it happened. She only remembered that while she was ironing clothes, her hosts were fighting. And she was forced to take medicine, but she did not know what it was. The host also hit her knee with a mortar because they said she did not clean the house very well. In November 2011, she was sent to the orthopedic hospital. While in the hospital the agent took care of her. After three weeks she had recovered and was sent back to the village. However, big scars are still left on her body.

2. A 14 year-old girl lost her parents at the age of seven and grew up under the admonishment of her grandmother. Due to a tight financial situation, she had to stop her edu-cation at grade six and earn her livelihood as a domestic helper. One day she was asked to run a generator to pro-duce electricity. When she struck a match, there was an explosion and a fire broke out in the house. The young girl tried to escape but was badly injured. The host called the police and they took the girl away. She could not walk. She was at the hospital for a month and a half for her injuries. After recuperating she had to make a court appearance. The young girl cannot work very well at this time. However she is being helped by her church and now continues her schooling.

We, the Karen Baptist Convention Women’s Department, have a “Care for Women” program to protect young girls like these two, particularly by raising awareness in churches and communities about safe migration and human trafficking. Through collaboration with 20 associations and partner organizations, KBC Women’s Department takes the initiative for reducing dangerous migration. We believe that this min-istry is one that God wants us to do to serve our people.

Protecting Women in the WorkforceBy Myaung Mya Paw, Karen Baptist Convention Women’s Department

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I have completed the seventh Community Health Helper Training Course conducted by the Myanmar Baptist Conven-tion, Women’s Department and I work at Pyidawtha Village, Kalemyo, Chin state. These are some of the children I’ve been able to help in my village because of the training that I received.

In July 2008, a two-month-old patient came to me carried by her mother. I told them to take the baby to the hospital as she was in serious condition. The child’s mother started crying and told me that she has just returned from the general hospital. The general hospital discharged the child as they found her condition hopeless. She asked me to help her child. I tried my best and I told the mother that life is in God’s hand so I prayed first and gave her five days of medicine. By God’s grace, the infant recovered.

In December 2009, a three-year-old boy came. He was having seizures since morning. The child had no fever, but was unconscious.

I asked the mother what she fed her children. She said only fried rice. So I advised her to admit the child as an in-patient. The mother said she had no money to pay the hospital. So I took the child and mother on my bike to the hospital.

It was discovered that the rice had gone down into the esophagus and got into the wind-pipe, so the child was hav-ing difficulty breathing. In the hospital they would give him oxygen to ease him and after one hour the child recovered.

I prayed to God and have thanked him many times for the knowledge from the training I have received, which al-lows me to help my neighbors.

Community Health Helper Training Saves LivesBy Ma Zam Lum Lun, Zomi Baptist Convention

I was married to Rev. Samuel, a beloved person, who is a pastor. I thank God that he chose me to be a pastor’s wife. I love to share my story. I’ve had many experiences in my life, but I will share only these three.

I was 19 and my husband was 20 when our family started to grow. Our home is Christian and we now have seven chil-dren. All of us are deeply religious and have an open heart for God’s work. Four of our children attended a Bible school and now serve on the mission field. My eldest daughter is married and we are grandparents of one boy and two girls.

I am not a perfect person, but I thank God for the op-portunity as I enjoy serving and encouraging my community to spread the gospel with my husband. In our village 193 people have become Christians and we have planted four new churches in our area.

I thank God for giving me knowledge to make traditional medicine that is prepared from the oil of natural herbal plants. The medicine from these plants is good for health and gives strength and energy. We are able to share these plants with poor people who need this tonic. We are able to sell this medicine and have provided money to earn our liv-ing and so we can spread the gospel to nonbelievers.

I enjoy and thank God for these opportunities to partici-pate in pastor’s wife training. All the lessons are valuable and important for my life and ministry. I thank everyone who continues to arrange these programs and also for the teach-ers who teach us.

The Work of a Pastor’s WifeBy Daw Hla Kyi, Agape Church, Mogoke, Lisu Baptist Convention

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About this Mission ProjectMany rural young women come to the urban parts of the city to find jobs. Their lack of education or vocational training leaves them vulnerable to violence and human trafficking.

The Myanmar Baptist Convention Women’s Department plans to offer a six-month health care training program that will give these women skills and self-confidence. They’ll spend three months in theory class and three months gain- ing practical experience in clinics, hospitals and senior homes.

Young women from Kachin, Shan, Chin, Karen, Mon, Lahu, and other rural areas (20 communities) will benefit from this mission project.

A gift of $100 will provide hospitality for training lectur-ers. $250 will cover the cost for field trips to rural villages. $500 pays the honorariums for lecturers.

Myanmar Community Health Care Training

Each six-month training course accepts 25 - 30 students. They learn about holistic care, microbiology, elder care, nutrition, dental health, first aid, skin diseases and leprosy, mental health, herbal medicine, food and waterborne diseases, maternity care, and many other important topics necessary in a rural setting where access to medical personnel is limited.

How You Can Help Now!

Goal: $4,510

Thank You!

Mission Project SpecificsThis project seeks to raise $4,510 in the next six months to one year to provide scholarships for travel, room, meals, and training materials for 25 - 30 young women to attend a six-month training course starting in January 2014.

This project will be managed by Daw Kyi Kyi Aung of the Women’s Department Committee, Myanmar Baptist Con-vention.

It is anticipated that this project will not only improve the lives of the young women who receive training, it will also promote access to basic health care services for nearly 20 rural communities that are home to the Kachin, Shan, Chin, Karen, Mon, Pa-o, Akha, Naga, Bamar, and Rakhine tribes.

Connect to this Mission Project Pray with Daw Kyi Kyi and the Women’s Department of the Myanmar Baptist Convention for the doctors and nurses who will be organizing, hosting, and conducting the training program.

þ Your donations make this mission project possible.

þ Donate online. Go to: www.internationalministries.org Click on PROJECTS and scroll down.

þ Donate by check. Write Myanmar/Bapt. Conv. Community Health Care Training on memo line and mail to International Ministries, PO Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851.

þ Share this information with others in your community and in your church family.


International MinistriesP. O. Box 851Valley Forge, PA 19482-08511-800-222-3872 ext. 2195

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GET THE MOST FROM THIS GUIDEThis is your guide. You have permission to photocopy any and all of its pages . Inside you’ll find Bible studies, stories, devotionals, maps and historical dates. This material is useful for studying about Chris-tians in Myanmar from the very beginning, up until today. As a follower of Jesus Christ, you are a partner with International Ministries (IM) and play a critical role in the global movement for Christ. In fact, IM’s ministries through missionaries and partners would not exist without your support. IM thanks you for your prayers, your volunteer time and your finan-cial support. For more information on ways you can get involved, email Chris Marziale: [email protected]. Or call her at 1-800-222-3872, ext. 2207.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCESIM missionaries: To learn more about Duane and Marcia Binkley (or any other IM global servant), go to www.internationational ministries.org and click on PEOPLE.

On Location print newsletter:To receive this free quarterly publication in the mail, call Chris Marziale at 1-800-222-3872, ext. 2207.

White Cross:To receive the White Cross Magazine with magnet – 2011-2013 and/or the Mission Service Project Book 2012 - 2014, go to www.abc-whitecross.org

Global Volunteer opportunities:For a list of current opportunities to volunteer worldwide, go to www.internationalministries.org and click on GET INVOLVED at the bottom.

Call 1-800-4JUDSON to request: 2012 – 2013 Guide to Global Servants handbook (English item #I378; Spanish item #I389)

2013 World Mission Offering poster and global servant map (English item #W880; Spanish item #W881)

2013 World Mission Offering packet (item #W890)

2013 STEP brochure (Item #I031)Request the New STEP brochure. STEP (Student Education Expense Program) ensures that all children receive an education to help them achieve their potentials, maximize their contributions to their communities and give them the opportunity know the love of Christ.

Online Search or Public Library:Search online or visit your local library for general information on Myanmar.

Enjoy this 2013-2014 Global Mission Study Guide. Thank you for helping to do God’s work through International Ministries!

NEW DVD: “Adoniram Judson: The Man and the Mission.” Your church has received a complimentary DVD in the World Mission Offering packet. Addition-al copies are available for $19.95 plus s/h by calling 1-800-4-JUDSON (item #I393)

Global Mission Study Guide 2013-2014 Myanmar · PDF fileDevotional . By Dr. May Maung Maung,...

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