I have a friend named John who is an amazing man. John is married, and the father of 3 small children. John speaks 5 languages. He was fortunate to receive a Master’s degree in Theology. John lives in the 4th largest city in Myanmar, but his work takes him on travels outside of that city. John’s ethnicity is from one of the minor people groups (tribal groups) living in the country.
He is the leader of a church planting network in Myanmar (aka Burma). Myanmar is a country in SE Asia that is led by a brutal military dictatorship.
John is one of the most Godly men I know. As I have traveled to Myanmar over the past 6 years, I have worked shoulder to shoulder with him. I have seen the places that John’s church planters live. I have shared meals in his home. John is sensitive in spirit, a servant, and possesses a quiet strength that is fueled by the determination of the Holy Spirit living within him.
Since 2006, the church planters/missionaries that John has enlisted, equipped, and supports have worked in some of the most difficult locations in Myanmar. One ‘pocket’ of church planters work on a lake. Yes, ON a lake. The lake is 15 miles long and 6 miles wide and about 12-15 feet deep in the center. It is fed by natural springs that flow from nearby mountains. The population is about 120,000 people living in homes built from bamboo that hover above the water. Travel by boat is the only way to get from place to place. This place is a stronghold of Buddhism. John’s workers have been persecuted, and kicked out of several homes. Over the past 4 years, however, there have been more than 120 people come to faith in Christ.
Another location where John’s workers live is a remote location at the intersection of 3 warring armies. All of them are fighting for territotory among the opium fields of the infamous Golden Triangle (google it if you are unfamiliar). In the past 3 years almost 50 people have come to faith in Christ.
These church planters live and work among those whose livelihood comes from working in the opium fields. Some are there by choice, many are not – they are indentured servants. Some are simply slaves. Among those slaves are children, many as young as two or three years old, whose parents have been killed by the warring armies. They had no place to go, so they were put to work in the opium fields in return for food and shelter.
My friend John told me about that place. He and I began to pray and dream about how to rescue orphans from the opium fields. We have made some progress on that dream. But not quickly enough.
But I just received word from John this past Wednesday via email that our dreams may be on hold. I’m still waiting to hear more details, but the majority of the orphans are no longer slaves in the opium fields. It seems that representatives from some Buddhist orphanages came and removed the children, taking them to their temple compounds.
They have moved from one form of slavery to another. These children will now be given saffron robes to wear, they will shave their heads and be given silver bowls to beg among the streets for food. Yes, they will be fed. Yes, they will be clothed. Yes, they will be sheltered.
But they will also be indoctrinated in the tenants of Buddhism. They will miss the opportunity to be raised in a Christian orphanage, where the love of Christ is displayed and taught.
John’s email is what makes a grown man cry.
My hope and prayer is that the last chapter hasn’t been written to this story. Would you join me in praying for solutions to become available so that this never happens this way again.
Maybe in the next email, we will be crying – tears of joy!
Thanks for allowing me to share this story,
D Rob, Glocal Missions Pastor, The Church at Battlecreek
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