Day 7: Mission Relief Work in Myanmar

May 18, 2008 (Day 7 in Myanmar)

Dear brethren in the Lord,

Greetings of grace and peace in the Lord! I thank God for our safety, and how the Holy Spirit has led us to show the love and care of Jesus. and all that we have been able to do. During the 6 days that I have been here, we have learned many lessons. Allow me to share this with you.

First, the needs of the brethren have been attended to, with their houses repaired and made as good as it was before (if not better for some). Your sending me was a great source of joy for them! Some were surprised why we all even bothered, but because you sent me, they know that our love and kinship is deeper than blood relationship.

There is excitement in the air for the brethren. As a people, the Burmese take care of each other. Inspite of their meager funds, they are helping to bring relief to the cyclone Nargis victims in Yangon and in Irawaddy. Perhaps it is because they have learned that they have only each other to depend on under a harsh and corrupt military leadership. There is bitterness and anger when they talk about how the government has been slow in providing relief and allowing international agencies to help. I am among those who encourage them to pray that God will open the hearts of their rulers, and to just do what they can to help. Our brethren are no exception, and to them, with the church actively involved in relief work, their pride and self-esteem as Christians is greatly boosted.

Our relief work is taking shape. And what is emerging is a two-pronged relief effort. First, aid to small affected communities around Yangon, within a 30 minute ride from the city. Second, aid to the far flung areas in the Irawaddy.

Now how do 2 small house churches accomplish this?
1. Under OUR (yours and ours) guidance and supervision we move to empower our local Burmese brethren to work with local Burmese NGOs in delivering vital resources to far flung areas;
2. The nearby communities are easily reached by taxi so our brethren can do the job of not only providing relief but developing friendships with the people that will lead to bible studies;

Another question that you might have is, can our house churches evangelize the far flung areas on a sustained basis? The answer is NO. So why should we help at all? And I know that you will say, as I said in the beginning, that we will help because we want to be part of the solution, i.e. to provide basic necessities to ensure the survival of those in the delta region. God loves each and everyone of them, and we are God's messengers of hope.

At this point, let me tell you briefly what I know about the Brethren---a bible-believing church that is recognized and has been in Yangon for at least 2 decades. As far as I know from the information I have been provided, they baptize for the remission of sins. In addition they have the Lord's Supper every first day of the week. They also do not use instruments in worship, and the women are "silent". They have a Sunday attendance of about 1500, and a membership that is perhaps even more.

I met with their head pastor-Pastor Ronnie, and he informed me that they have formed 10 teams of 5-10 people to go to the Irawaddy delta and penetrate its remote villages and towns. Bringing only provisions and money, they will walk through the paddies and wade in the waters. He is indenting rubber boats/dinghies, and once this arrives, their mobility will be greatly improved. Their objective is similar to ours, that is to give aid, and to evangelize. And he has welcomed us to join them; to pool resources. This is why on Tuesday, while I stay and work in Kunyangone area (which is still part of the prohibited area for foreigners, altho there is only 1 checkpoint), Philip, Winsome and Relo (members of our church) will go to Laputta---6 hours by car, and again, one of the worst hit towns. It is a town, so supplies of rice, dried fish, dahl, blankets, clothers, diesel, etc. are available. Its many villages still have to be reached by aid.

What other needs are there where you and I can help the Burmese people in rebuilding? After food and medicines, comes the need to rebuild their houses. They are made of very simple materials--- wood and thatch leaves. But even all the leaves have been blown away by Nargis and it will take another 2 years from them to re-grow. I have made a preliminary estimate and $120 will provide 10-12 roofing sheets, 6 bamboo wall panels, nails and several pieces of lumber that will build the frame for a house that is 10 ft. by 12 ft. They will have to provide the labor.

Obviously, much remains to be done. And what I want to point out at the end of this "report" is that as we continue to support the on-going relief work, we must most of all be quick to support the evangelistic effort that needs to take place. I would like to be able to send 2 Filipino missionaries to work with our 2 Burmese preachers that are presently in Yangon. I have observed that they need mentoring and encouragement in leadership and improving their self-esteem, so this contact and partnership with ex-patriate missionaries will help. There is also one other Burmese preacher in Mandalay (sorry I don't have his name at the moment), who can reinforce this team. I hope you understand why I am not recommending US missionaries.

Thank you for generously sending the MARCH team to Myanmar to be your eyes, ears, hands, feets and heart. On Monday, Shem Sameon and Dr. Conrad are arriving. We give God all the glory for what our partnership is able to accomplish. Please continue to give to the Myanmar Aid & Relief. Thank you for your continued prayers.

Your brother and fellow-servant in the Lord,

Chito Cusi