God's Mighty Hand Lifts Myanmar Practically & Spiritually

Thank you for your recent financial support and your constant prayer support for the families living in Myanmar. Below is a report to let us know how things are progressing.

We are excited to report the latest phone conversation between Dr. Paul Maxfield, Executive Director of Children of Promise, and the national leader of the Church of God in Myanmar (unnamed due to security reasons) on July 17, 2008. Direct communication was restored this week after several weeks of not being able to communicate either by phone or email.

Church members and leaders are overwhelmed by the response of the North American Church of God to the Cyclone Nargis disaster. The first item of discussion was to relay the following message to all those who prayed and donated toward the relief effort: “We are so amazed at your help and love toward us. It has been such a great comfort to us. Many people are coming to the Lord because of the generous outpouring of love through the Church of God. The churches in the Yangon area are packed. Thank you so much for your great compassion and love. We give God the thanks and glory.”

With regard to the $70,000 that arrived in Myanmar on May 23, we have the following report.

One hundred and fifty homes have been rebuilt, with sixty of these being for the Children of Promise children and families. Large distributions of rice, noodles, oil for cooking, medications, and clothing have been conducted in the communities where the Church of God has congregations.

Families are overjoyed with their new homes. Each time a home is completed, the church leaders hold a house dedication service at which the home is prayed over, thanks is given for the generosity and compassion of the living God, and the gospel is shared. Many conversions have taken place as a result of the construction of the homes.

In the past, children have always been the first to respond to outreach efforts by the church. Then, the mothers would come, but rarely the fathers. Now, church leaders report that fathers are bringing their families to church. One father said, “In the past, I opposed my wife and children attending the church. But their God is faster than our old god. We should worship him.” He is referring to the way the church was able to respond to the needs of the people in such a rapid fashion. Church leaders report that 30 new believers are already prepared for water baptism as a direct result of the ministry of the church in the wake of the cyclone. Again, they refer to Cyclone Nargis as the “blessed storm.”

Some of the children’s wage earners lost their means of support because of the storm’s devastation. So, the church has used some of the funds to extend loans to the sponsored children’s families to begin small businesses. Examples of small businesses include selling vegetables, making cakes and selling them, selling rice, selling vegetables with curry (hot dish), selling flowers, and selling fish on the streets. Each family was given $10-20 to invest in their new business. They have agreed to pay back the loan within a month and a half. If they do so within this time frame, the church will extend a second loan to expand their businesses. The church people are so excited about this venture. They are working hard to get their businesses up and running, and the leaders report good success so far. They also report that the families are working hard to pay back the loans, bit by bit each week.

The three churches in the Yangon metropolitan area have all been repaired, as have the office building and the girls’ dorm at the training school. The roofs have all been replaced, and the water tanks, toilets, pump, and additional repair work have all been completed at the Htaukyant church.

A medical team composed of a doctor who is a friend of the Church of God, along with the Bible School trainees and church members, conducted a medical clinic specifically in Saikpyoye several weeks ago. Over 100 people were examined and treated. The same was held at the church in Shwepitha where over 100 were also treated.

There continues to be a great need for rice and other food stuffs as many families are still in the process of rebuilding. Additional funds to be sent will be used for continued food distribution.

Leaders report that the government is making efforts rebuild in the areas around Yangon and Irwaddy, but not in the remote areas. The church has gone into these remote areas with relief items and support.

The church has great concern for orphans left by the storm. There are plans to take in three orphans from the area around the Bahan church.

“What a great privilege it is to see so many people be the hands, arms, feet, and heart of God in reaching out to the hurting people of Myanmar. Thank you for responding so generously, and for carrying the gospel to the Burmese people in a unique, loving, and effective way. Children of Promise is so blessed to have such caring sponsors and supporters. God bless you all,” summarizes Dr. Paul Maxfield.