The beautiful country of Myanmar
00:00:42.75\00:00:45.22
known to many as Burma
00:00:45.25\00:00:47.50
is home to over 100
distinct ethnic groups.
00:00:47.53\00:00:51.84
Situated in South East Asia
00:00:51.87\00:00:54.22
between the countries
of Thailand and India,
00:00:54.25\00:00:57.70
Burma has a long rich history
of dynasties and kingdoms.
00:00:57.73\00:01:03.41
While the large majority
of the people are Buddhists,
00:01:03.44\00:01:06.71
Christianity was
introduced to the country
00:01:06.74\00:01:09.52
during the colonial period
00:01:09.55\00:01:11.16
when the British
governed the country
00:01:11.19\00:01:12.80
between 1886 and 1948.
00:01:12.83\00:01:17.56
Today, there are about three
million Christians in Burma
00:01:17.59\00:01:21.79
about four
percent of the population.
00:01:21.82\00:01:25.27
Adventism was
started in the early 1900s
00:01:25.30\00:01:30.07
most known and loved are
among those early missionaries
00:01:30.10\00:01:33.93
was a young man by
the name of Eric B Hare.
00:01:33.96\00:01:39.25
When Eric B Hare and his wife
arrived in the country of Burma
00:01:39.28\00:01:42.46
as a young newly
wed couple in 1915
00:01:42.49\00:01:45.55
and began working
among the Karen ethnic group
00:01:45.58\00:01:48.60
they were met with
suspicion and fear.
00:01:48.63\00:01:51.48
Primarily animist
and spirit worshippers
00:01:51.51\00:01:54.28
the Karen believed that
the white God worshippers
00:01:54.31\00:01:57.46
that had come to live among them
00:01:57.49\00:01:59.38
were there to
cast spells on them
00:01:59.41\00:02:01.60
and perhaps eat their children.
00:02:01.63\00:02:04.58
If the heirs would
have built a church
00:02:04.61\00:02:07.06
and started their ministry
by preaching Christian doctrine,
00:02:07.09\00:02:10.54
it is unlikely that
they would had any success
00:02:10.57\00:02:13.32
in reaching people for Christ.
00:02:13.35\00:02:15.44
Fortunately for God's
work in Burma the heirs instead
00:02:15.47\00:02:20.28
built the clinic and
began serving the medical
00:02:20.31\00:02:23.38
and physical
needs of the people.
00:02:23.41\00:02:25.78
As God's love
poured through hands
00:02:25.81\00:02:27.76
that brought
relief to the suffering
00:02:27.79\00:02:29.72
it also melted
away fear and suspicion.
00:02:29.75\00:02:33.67
As pastor Hare or Dr. Rabbit
00:02:33.70\00:02:36.62
as he became
known to the people,
00:02:36.65\00:02:38.75
became friends
with the villagers.
00:02:38.78\00:02:40.80
They soon began asking him
00:02:40.83\00:02:43.47
about the God
that he worshipped.
00:02:43.50\00:02:46.38
It was only then when
huts were ready to receive
00:02:46.41\00:02:49.48
the seeds of the gospel
00:02:49.51\00:02:51.25
that they began
to share their faith.
00:02:51.28\00:02:54.89
Over the years that followed
00:02:54.92\00:02:56.34
the heirs
rejoiced as many villagers
00:02:56.37\00:02:58.63
gave their lives to
God and became Christians.
00:02:58.66\00:03:01.97
Today many
Adventist Christian in Burma
00:03:02.00\00:03:04.80
can trace their roots back
to the work that Elder Hare
00:03:04.83\00:03:08.52
and his wife
started in a small clinic
00:03:08.55\00:03:10.72
in the steamy jungles of Burma.
00:03:10.75\00:03:13.53
Today an Adventist
South East Asia project
00:03:13.56\00:03:16.51
is following in
the same tradition
00:03:16.54\00:03:18.72
and methods of
Elder Hare and his wife.
00:03:18.75\00:03:22.57
I would like you to meet
our church planter Khaing Hlone.
00:03:22.60\00:03:26.48
After I became a
Christian my heart was filled
00:03:29.66\00:03:32.95
with a desire to
share with others
00:03:32.98\00:03:35.27
the things that I
have learned about God.
00:03:35.30\00:03:38.83
In the place where I was living
00:03:38.86\00:03:40.57
there were already many
others sharing their faith
00:03:40.60\00:03:44.30
and so I asked
God where I might go
00:03:44.33\00:03:47.25
to be an
effective worker for Him.
00:03:47.28\00:03:50.82
When I looked
back on my experience
00:03:50.85\00:03:53.04
I am amazed to see how God
has led me each step of the way
00:03:53.07\00:03:57.69
to a small village in
remote region of Burma.
00:03:57.72\00:04:02.22
I am now working
as a Bible worker
00:04:02.25\00:04:04.81
sponsored by ASAP
for the Lahu people
00:04:04.84\00:04:09.18
one of the ethnic
minority groups living in Burma.
00:04:09.21\00:04:12.51
At first the village
elders and their animist priest
00:04:16.54\00:04:21.34
were quite resistant to me
sharing my faith about God.
00:04:21.37\00:04:25.44
They said that they
were not really interested
00:04:25.47\00:04:27.24
in anything to do
with Christianity.
00:04:27.27\00:04:29.79
But were inviting
me into their village
00:04:29.82\00:04:31.80
because they had heard
that I was a good teacher
00:04:31.83\00:04:34.36
and their
children needed a school.
00:04:34.39\00:04:38.03
I accepted the position
but still my heart longed
00:04:38.06\00:04:41.76
to be able share the
good news with these people.
00:04:41.79\00:04:45.69
I prayed a lot
asking God to show me ways
00:04:45.72\00:04:49.75
that I could gain the confidence
and trusted of the people.
00:04:49.78\00:04:53.46
For the first four months
00:04:56.34\00:04:58.04
I simply taught the children
regular school subjects.
00:04:58.07\00:05:02.34
They learned how
to read and write.
00:05:02.37\00:05:04.24
They studied literature
and how to speak Burmese.
00:05:04.27\00:05:09.13
After four months of working
with the children in this way
00:05:09.16\00:05:13.11
I noticed the big
change come over the people.
00:05:13.14\00:05:16.42
I had gained their confidence.
00:05:16.45\00:05:19.28
They were now very
friendly and accepting of me.
00:05:19.31\00:05:23.97
I was impressed
that the time had come
00:05:24.00\00:05:26.29
for me to begin to
teach the children about God.
00:05:26.32\00:05:30.34
As part of their
literature classes
00:05:30.37\00:05:32.43
I began to tell them
stories from the Bible.
00:05:32.46\00:05:35.93
The children loved
them, they also loved to sing
00:05:35.96\00:05:40.56
and so as part of our music
and Burmese languages classes
00:05:40.59\00:05:45.18
we began to sing
songs in Burmese about God.
00:05:45.21\00:05:48.72
The children
enjoyed this so much
00:05:56.18\00:05:59.26
that they began to come
to my home in the evening
00:05:59.29\00:06:01.99
for more stories and singing.
00:06:02.02\00:06:04.97
Even some of the parents
have started to come to my home
00:06:05.00\00:06:08.14
in the evenings and
now also on Sabbath.
00:06:08.17\00:06:12.73
We now have about 30 people
00:06:12.76\00:06:14.99
from the village
coming on the regular basis.
00:06:15.02\00:06:18.05
One of the most
influential people
00:06:21.19\00:06:23.54
in a Lahu village
is the animist priest.
00:06:23.57\00:06:28.11
At first, the animist
priest in this village
00:06:28.14\00:06:31.98
was very skeptical.
00:06:32.01\00:06:34.35
But God has touched his heart
00:06:34.38\00:06:36.31
and he has become one
of my biggest supporters.
00:06:36.34\00:06:40.61
He encourages the children
to come to my evening meetings
00:06:40.64\00:06:44.27
and has become
very interested himself.
00:06:44.30\00:06:47.57
He does not know how to read
00:06:47.60\00:06:49.09
and so he is learning
about God from our discussions
00:06:49.12\00:06:53.00
and the picture rolls
that I have received from ASAP.
00:06:53.03\00:06:57.66
He says that he wants to
become an Adventist Christian
00:06:57.69\00:07:01.61
along with his whole family.
00:07:01.64\00:07:04.37
But he is
struggling about what to do
00:07:04.40\00:07:06.37
with his responsibilities
as the village priest.
00:07:06.40\00:07:11.08
Please pray that God will
make the way clear for him.
00:07:11.11\00:07:16.64
One of the things that
I believe has helped me
00:07:16.67\00:07:19.43
gain the
confidence of the people
00:07:19.46\00:07:21.28
is the work that I have
been able to do for the sick.
00:07:21.31\00:07:25.06
Normally what happens
here when someone gets sick
00:07:25.09\00:07:28.16
is that they first
go to the animist priest
00:07:28.19\00:07:30.87
for healing.
00:07:30.90\00:07:32.46
If that is not work they
travel to the nearest city
00:07:32.49\00:07:36.14
and go to the hospital.
00:07:36.17\00:07:38.49
If that does not work
they accept their fate
00:07:38.52\00:07:42.03
and return to the village.
00:07:42.06\00:07:44.81
It is for some of these people
00:07:44.84\00:07:47.22
who have
returned from the hospital
00:07:47.25\00:07:49.63
that I have been
able to help with prayer
00:07:49.66\00:07:52.75
and simple natural treatments.
00:07:52.78\00:07:56.56
I would not have
known how to do these
00:07:56.59\00:07:58.94
if I had not been
for the training program
00:07:58.97\00:08:01.08
that ASAP gave us
and the natural methods
00:08:01.11\00:08:04.67
that we learned from
Dr. Mary Ann Mcneilus.
00:08:04.70\00:08:08.33
With these simple
treatments and prayer
00:08:08.36\00:08:12.06
many people have become well.
00:08:12.09\00:08:15.44
As a result they
now believe in Jesus
00:08:15.47\00:08:18.91
and the power of prayer.
00:08:18.94\00:08:22.01
I have been trying to
show them by my own example
00:08:22.04\00:08:25.98
and by teaching them
00:08:26.01\00:08:27.49
the health
principles of the Bible.
00:08:27.52\00:08:30.17
How to live a
happier, healthier life
00:08:30.20\00:08:33.88
but it is difficult for them.
00:08:33.91\00:08:36.61
They really like to
drink alcohol and smoke.
00:08:36.64\00:08:41.27
Pork is a very big
part of their daily diet
00:08:41.30\00:08:44.89
and they say that as much as
they would like to be healthy
00:08:44.92\00:08:47.93
it is very hard to
give up these things.
00:08:47.96\00:08:51.75
Please pray for me
as I continue to work
00:08:51.78\00:08:54.75
with these Lahu
people and share with them
00:08:54.78\00:08:58.23
about the love of God.
00:08:58.26\00:09:01.43
We thank the Lord
for our faithful ASAP
00:09:01.46\00:09:03.81
national missionaries
00:09:03.84\00:09:05.11
who are using "Christ's
method to reach the people.
00:09:05.14\00:09:08.76
We are told
Christ's method alone
00:09:08.79\00:09:11.10
will give true success
in reaching the people.
00:09:11.13\00:09:13.75
The Savior mingled with men
as one who desired their good.
00:09:13.78\00:09:17.63
He showed His sympathy for them,
00:09:17.66\00:09:19.44
ministered to their
needs, and won their confidence.
00:09:19.47\00:09:23.40
Then He bade them, 'Follow Me.'
00:09:23.43\00:09:25.74
" In 1948 Burma gained
its independence from Britain
00:09:31.23\00:09:36.00
and for a short time
practices the democratic
00:09:36.03\00:09:38.73
form of government they
had learned from the British.
00:09:38.76\00:09:42.21
However, in 1962 the government
was taken over by the military
00:09:42.24\00:09:48.13
and the country
has virtually been
00:09:48.16\00:09:50.41
under military
rule since that time.
00:09:50.44\00:09:54.47
While the people
of Burma have been
00:09:54.50\00:09:56.29
free to practice their
Christianity and even evangelize
00:09:56.32\00:10:00.85
in some regions with
local government approval.
00:10:00.88\00:10:04.54
Some of the ethnic
groups have had ongoing
00:10:04.57\00:10:07.70
clashes with the
Burmese military.
00:10:07.73\00:10:11.45
One of the groups that
have been brutally oppressed
00:10:11.48\00:10:14.39
is the Karen, the
same ethnic group that
00:10:14.42\00:10:17.36
Eric B Hare worked
with for so many years.
00:10:17.39\00:10:21.55
As a result many Karen
00:10:21.58\00:10:23.98
have fled across
the border into Thailand
00:10:24.01\00:10:26.93
where they take refuge in camps
set up by the Thai government.
00:10:26.96\00:10:32.10
Some have lived in
these camps for decades.
00:10:32.13\00:10:38.87
In 1966 a young man
who had recently graduated
00:10:38.90\00:10:43.28
from the
Adventist Seminary in Burma
00:10:43.31\00:10:45.74
heard about the
refugees along the Thai border
00:10:45.77\00:10:48.77
and felt impressed
to go and work for them.
00:10:48.80\00:10:52.19
At first it was very difficult.
00:10:52.22\00:10:54.79
It is not easy
to work in a place
00:10:54.82\00:10:56.88
where there are no Christians.
00:10:56.91\00:10:59.47
It was only after
two or three years
00:10:59.50\00:11:01.87
of visiting the
people in their homes
00:11:01.90\00:11:04.18
that Pastor
Phamor was able to get
00:11:04.21\00:11:06.28
some of the people to become
interested in Christianity.
00:11:06.31\00:11:10.51
Once again like
Elder Hare, Pastor Phamor
00:11:10.54\00:11:13.88
discovered that he was
only after he became friends
00:11:13.91\00:11:17.39
with the people and
began to meet their needs
00:11:17.42\00:11:20.38
that their hearts will
respond to the gospel message.
00:11:20.41\00:11:24.03
The method he found
worked best was to open schools.
00:11:24.06\00:11:28.04
In those days
there were no schools.
00:11:31.69\00:11:34.73
I felt impressed that
if we could start schools
00:11:34.76\00:11:37.31
we would not only meet
the real need for the people
00:11:37.34\00:11:40.48
we could also
have the opportunity
00:11:40.51\00:11:42.63
to share the gospel
with the children that came.
00:11:42.66\00:11:46.26
With God's help we
started two schools,
00:11:46.29\00:11:49.26
one in Thailand and
one across the border
00:11:49.29\00:11:52.42
in no-man's-land.
00:11:52.45\00:11:55.13
I call it no-man's-land
00:11:55.16\00:11:56.47
because the land
is under martial law.
00:11:56.50\00:11:59.87
If the Burmese
government soldiers
00:11:59.90\00:12:01.76
find you in this area
00:12:01.79\00:12:03.17
they shoot first
and ask questions later.
00:12:03.20\00:12:06.38
It doesn't matter who
you are they will kill you.
00:12:06.41\00:12:10.31
Another reason why I
call it no-man's-land
00:12:10.34\00:12:13.36
is because no one
seems to care what happens
00:12:13.39\00:12:15.97
to the people
who are living here.
00:12:16.00\00:12:20.45
As Pastor Phamor
stepped out in faith
00:12:20.48\00:12:23.17
and built the bamboos schools
in the jungles of no-man's-land
00:12:23.20\00:12:27.41
God began to provide the
funds to help pay the teachers
00:12:27.44\00:12:31.49
and Bible workers a
small stipend for their work.
00:12:31.52\00:12:35.44
As they prayed and
trusted God for help
00:12:35.47\00:12:38.77
people heard about the
work that they were doing
00:12:38.80\00:12:41.62
and started sending in small
donations each month to help.
00:12:41.65\00:12:46.16
Over the years the work
has grown as God has blessed.
00:12:46.19\00:12:52.94
The schools were a big success.
00:12:52.97\00:12:56.73
From those first two
schools that we started
00:12:56.76\00:12:58.94
we now have 38 schools.
00:12:58.97\00:13:02.73
Some are in the refugee camps
00:13:02.76\00:13:05.18
but many more are
located in no-man's-land.
00:13:05.21\00:13:09.47
The soldiers come
scatter the people
00:13:09.50\00:13:11.80
and burn down the schools
00:13:11.83\00:13:13.82
but we just build
again in another location.
00:13:13.85\00:13:17.77
Our enrolment has grown
from 25 to about 5,000 students.
00:13:17.80\00:13:24.19
Because of these schools
God's work has really grown.
00:13:24.22\00:13:28.76
Many of the students have become
00:13:28.79\00:13:30.25
dedicated
teachers and lay pastors.
00:13:30.28\00:13:34.30
Even though I teach
commerce and English
00:13:34.33\00:13:37.24
I still have many opportunities
00:13:37.27\00:13:39.01
to talk to my
students about God.
00:13:39.04\00:13:41.90
When I see this young
people accepting Jesus
00:13:41.93\00:13:45.20
and making decisions to follow
00:13:45.23\00:13:47.59
it brings me the
greatest satisfaction
00:13:47.62\00:13:51.29
that I am able to
do this kind of work.
00:13:51.32\00:13:55.67
It was when I was a
student at this school
00:13:55.70\00:13:58.89
that I became a Christian
and accepted Jesus as my Savior
00:13:58.92\00:14:03.22
because, my heart was so full
00:14:03.25\00:14:05.80
I wanted to share
that joy with others.
00:14:05.83\00:14:08.43
So I decided to
become a teacher myself
00:14:08.46\00:14:10.98
and now I am the one teaching
the children about God's love.
00:14:11.01\00:14:16.02
The subjects that I enjoy
00:14:16.05\00:14:17.69
teaching the most
are health and Bible.
00:14:17.72\00:14:21.61
To me there is no greater
joy that a teacher can have
00:14:21.64\00:14:26.17
then when she sees
one of her students
00:14:26.20\00:14:28.86
accept Christ as
their personal Savior.
00:14:28.89\00:14:31.54
This is what
makes it all worthwhile.
00:14:31.57\00:14:35.55
The thing that I like
the most about this school
00:14:35.58\00:14:38.35
is that they
teach the Bible here.
00:14:38.38\00:14:41.14
No other school
in the camps do that.
00:14:41.17\00:14:44.16
I was born into
a Buddhist family
00:14:44.19\00:14:46.86
and when I first
came to this school
00:14:46.89\00:14:49.18
I did not know much
about the Bible or God.
00:14:49.21\00:14:52.63
But everyday our
teachers about the love of God
00:14:52.66\00:14:56.94
and how Jesus came
to this earth to save us
00:14:56.97\00:15:01.27
and help us live better lives.
00:15:01.30\00:15:04.27
I decided that this is
what I wanted for my life.
00:15:04.30\00:15:08.40
I have accepted
Christ and have been baptized
00:15:08.43\00:15:12.12
here at this school.
00:15:12.15\00:15:15.41
Only about 25% of the
students that attend our school
00:15:15.44\00:15:18.64
come from Adventist homes
00:15:18.67\00:15:20.88
and rest come from
other religions or faiths.
00:15:20.91\00:15:24.61
This gives us a
wonderful opportunity
00:15:24.64\00:15:26.88
to share Christ
with the young people
00:15:26.91\00:15:28.85
who come to our school.
00:15:28.88\00:15:30.54
I believe that
Christian education
00:15:30.57\00:15:33.01
is one of the best
ways to evangelize.
00:15:33.04\00:15:35.13
It brings me the greatest joy
when I see these young people
00:15:39.50\00:15:43.15
accepting Jesus
and becoming baptized
00:15:43.18\00:15:46.90
and then as they finish
and graduate from our school
00:15:46.93\00:15:50.35
some of them want to
go on and become nurses,
00:15:50.38\00:15:53.12
doctors, teachers and pastors.
00:15:53.15\00:15:56.20
It is wonderful to think
about how God's work will grow
00:15:56.23\00:16:00.09
as these young people go out
and work for Him in the future.
00:16:00.12\00:16:04.11
Now we have about 174 teachers
and about 25 lay pastors.
00:16:04.14\00:16:10.89
Even though we do
not pay them a lot
00:16:10.92\00:16:13.15
the salaries of
that many workers
00:16:13.18\00:16:15.22
adds up to a lot each month.
00:16:15.25\00:16:18.29
The reason that we need help
from our friends from abroad
00:16:18.32\00:16:21.92
is because the
villages are very poor.
00:16:21.95\00:16:25.24
In the refugee camps it is very
difficult to make any income.
00:16:25.27\00:16:29.37
And in no-man's-land
the crops are destroyed
00:16:29.40\00:16:32.76
by the enemy
soldiers every year.
00:16:32.79\00:16:35.93
They burn down the homes,
00:16:35.96\00:16:37.70
their barns and
destroy their food.
00:16:37.73\00:16:41.16
The people are very poor.
00:16:41.19\00:16:43.87
They don't really
even have enough clothing
00:16:43.90\00:16:46.47
or food each year.
00:16:46.50\00:16:49.14
As a result it is
very difficult to collect
00:16:49.17\00:16:52.46
any school fees at all.
00:16:52.49\00:16:54.99
And yet we believe that
this work is so important
00:16:55.02\00:16:59.06
that we must keep
running the schools
00:16:59.09\00:17:01.88
and trust in God
for the funds to come.
00:17:01.91\00:17:05.69
Every month we have challenges
00:17:05.72\00:17:08.21
and yet witness great miracles.
00:17:08.24\00:17:11.94
God is faithful and we
are putting our trust in Him.
00:17:11.97\00:17:15.78
Many people may have
read the thrilling stories
00:17:22.39\00:17:24.87
that Eric B Hare
wrote about his life
00:17:24.90\00:17:27.80
as a missionary in Burma.
00:17:27.83\00:17:30.27
Some have no doubt wondered
00:17:30.30\00:17:32.05
how different
their lives would be
00:17:32.08\00:17:34.41
if they had become a
missionary themselves
00:17:34.44\00:17:36.76
and been able to work
with the people of Burma
00:17:36.79\00:17:39.34
and bring them to
Jesus like Elder Hare did.
00:17:39.37\00:17:42.93
Through the Providence of God
00:17:42.96\00:17:44.96
we may still
have this opportunity.
00:17:44.99\00:17:48.77
Since, most of us
are not able to become
00:17:48.80\00:17:51.25
missionaries in
the jungle of Burma
00:17:51.28\00:17:54.05
God is bringing the
mission field to us.
00:17:54.08\00:17:58.12
A few years ago the
United Nations began
00:17:58.15\00:18:01.15
the process of
relocating families from Burma
00:18:01.18\00:18:04.55
to give them the
opportunity to start a new life.
00:18:04.58\00:18:08.92
Many refugees have
already moved to Australia,
00:18:08.95\00:18:12.67
Europe, Canada
and the United States.
00:18:12.70\00:18:17.26
After living their
entire lives in a refugee camp,
00:18:17.29\00:18:21.55
landing in a new
country can be an overwhelming
00:18:21.58\00:18:25.05
and frightful experience.
00:18:25.08\00:18:28.51
As church members in Fort
Wayne, Indiana have discovered
00:18:28.54\00:18:32.56
this is a wonderful opportunity
00:18:32.59\00:18:35.56
to become a
missionary right here at home.
00:18:35.59\00:18:41.24
When the Karen Burmese refugees
first come to Fort Wayne
00:18:41.27\00:18:47.81
they come with
literally nothing.
00:18:47.84\00:18:49.73
When they get
here everything is new
00:18:49.76\00:18:52.57
and it's a very
different than home.
00:18:52.60\00:18:55.25
They have to come into a culture
00:18:55.28\00:18:59.86
where everything is fast paced.
00:18:59.89\00:19:02.68
Right after
bath they need a job.
00:19:02.71\00:19:05.13
They get off
the, of the airplane
00:19:05.16\00:19:07.07
and they have a
one little suitcase
00:19:07.10\00:19:08.77
with their meager belongings
00:19:08.80\00:19:11.11
and they get put in apartment
00:19:11.14\00:19:13.25
which the government
pays for a few months
00:19:13.28\00:19:16.24
and suddenly its
like go find a job.
00:19:16.27\00:19:18.64
They have to learn how to
use microwaves and rice cookers
00:19:18.67\00:19:22.39
and they have to
learn how to drive cars.
00:19:22.42\00:19:24.30
And they have to learn
how to use the computer
00:19:24.33\00:19:26.96
and a TV and fill out
applications for jobs.
00:19:26.99\00:19:30.55
And they don't even
know what common words mean.
00:19:30.58\00:19:33.90
They always get
the poorest jobs,
00:19:33.93\00:19:36.57
they get minimum wage.
00:19:36.60\00:19:38.78
It means they end up living in
the worst housing in the area.
00:19:38.81\00:19:42.58
The Seventh-day Adventist
families that have come in
00:19:42.61\00:19:45.24
and come to our church mostly
our church will take them things
00:19:45.27\00:19:49.53
they need like pots
and pans and microwaves
00:19:49.56\00:19:52.41
and we give them
cloths and bedding and food.
00:19:52.44\00:19:56.86
People who are fresh
immigrants to this country
00:19:56.89\00:20:00.24
are most opened to the gospel.
00:20:00.27\00:20:02.48
In America we
spend millions of dollars
00:20:02.51\00:20:05.24
on public evangelism and yet
they return on that investment
00:20:05.27\00:20:09.63
I would guess as not
as great as it would be
00:20:09.66\00:20:13.29
if we focused on
reaching this first generation
00:20:13.32\00:20:16.50
refugees that come to America.
00:20:16.53\00:20:18.36
Even from the time I was a child
00:20:23.73\00:20:25.84
I have always
wanted to be God's servant.
00:20:25.87\00:20:29.05
God has blessed me and I
have been able to serve Him
00:20:29.08\00:20:33.02
in many
different parts of Burma.
00:20:33.05\00:20:35.79
In His great
providence God eventually
00:20:35.82\00:20:38.40
let me here to
Fort Wayne, Indiana
00:20:38.43\00:20:41.16
where the local
church was endeavoring
00:20:41.19\00:20:43.95
to reach out to the
Karen families in US city.
00:20:43.98\00:20:48.03
Pastor Ramon asked me to
have a translation services.
00:20:48.06\00:20:52.49
I was able to help the families
that were coming to church
00:20:52.52\00:20:56.08
and the students that were
coming to our Adventist school.
00:20:56.11\00:21:00.11
I then began to visit the Karen
00:21:00.14\00:21:01.97
and Burmese
families in their homes
00:21:02.00\00:21:04.31
encouraging them and
inviting them to church.
00:21:04.34\00:21:08.03
There are so many
ways that a church can help
00:21:08.06\00:21:10.89
a new immigrant family.
00:21:10.92\00:21:13.19
In addition to
provisions from your
00:21:13.22\00:21:16.32
local community services center
00:21:16.35\00:21:18.84
you can also help
connect these lovely families
00:21:18.87\00:21:22.15
to other services
available to them.
00:21:22.18\00:21:26.00
They need help in
transportation for simple things
00:21:26.03\00:21:28.37
like grocery
shopping, attending church,
00:21:28.40\00:21:31.38
finding clinics and hospitals
00:21:31.41\00:21:33.67
or even help in filling
out a simple application.
00:21:33.70\00:21:38.11
I believe that as your
church becomes involved
00:21:38.14\00:21:41.39
in a refugee ministry
that you will find that it
00:21:41.42\00:21:44.38
not only helps
serve God's children
00:21:44.41\00:21:48.02
it also brings a big blessing
00:21:48.05\00:21:50.19
to the church family
that does the serving.
00:21:50.22\00:21:53.37
When I first began to work
00:22:02.92\00:22:05.22
with the Karen
and other refugees
00:22:05.25\00:22:08.22
I wasn't expecting to fall
in love with them as people
00:22:08.25\00:22:11.62
which I did.
00:22:11.65\00:22:12.86
They're really family
00:22:12.89\00:22:15.11
and I also wasn't
really looking at it
00:22:15.14\00:22:18.44
from a perspective of
this is my mission field.
00:22:18.47\00:22:22.39
You know, for years and
years we have always said to God
00:22:22.42\00:22:25.53
you want us to go
the mission field,
00:22:25.56\00:22:27.53
just tell us we'll go.
00:22:27.56\00:22:29.99
We were always
willing and He never sent us.
00:22:30.02\00:22:33.41
And it was kind of like, why.
00:22:33.44\00:22:36.04
And then I came here and
suddenly here we are with
00:22:36.07\00:22:39.08
thousands of refugees
living here in Fort Wayne
00:22:39.11\00:22:43.13
and it seemed like
no school, no church
00:22:43.16\00:22:49.44
was really saying
here is a huge opportunity
00:22:49.47\00:22:53.13
to serve God
right here in America.
00:22:53.16\00:22:57.20
We realize that suddenly
we were in the mission field.
00:22:57.23\00:23:01.20
Wow, I am in the mission
field and I didn't know it.
00:23:01.23\00:23:06.24
Every one of us
in the mission field.
00:23:06.27\00:23:09.64
If you're in a little
town or a big town no matter
00:23:09.67\00:23:11.86
what those people
around that need to hear
00:23:11.89\00:23:14.44
the gospel and
what you're waiting for.
00:23:14.47\00:23:19.94
There is an
urgency to this mission.
00:23:19.97\00:23:23.51
I'm painful aware that
many Adventist refugees
00:23:23.54\00:23:26.78
that come to this country end up
00:23:26.81\00:23:29.24
becoming part of other churches
00:23:29.27\00:23:32.39
because our own
church is ill equipped
00:23:32.42\00:23:35.43
to care for their needs.
00:23:35.46\00:23:37.68
This mission field
is ripe for the harvest.
00:23:37.71\00:23:40.91
They were many people
who were ready to become
00:23:40.94\00:23:43.75
a part of the family of God
if given the right invitation.
00:23:43.78\00:23:48.36
Our church has
grown tremendously
00:23:48.39\00:23:51.60
because we are allowing God
to love other people through us.
00:23:51.63\00:23:55.45
When I first came to this church
00:23:55.48\00:23:57.25
we were about half full
00:23:57.28\00:23:59.59
running two
worship services now.
00:23:59.62\00:24:02.13
This church is now
looking for a new campus
00:24:02.16\00:24:04.91
to accommodate the
people who keep coming
00:24:04.94\00:24:07.15
because they're
finding a safe place
00:24:07.18\00:24:09.44
where they can be
loved and cared for
00:24:09.47\00:24:12.33
and your church
can be such a church
00:24:12.36\00:24:16.02
if you're willing
to make the sacrifice
00:24:16.05\00:24:20.46
and allow God to love
other people through you.
00:24:20.49\00:24:24.16
Friends, we see God
working in marvelous ways
00:24:24.19\00:24:27.90
for the people of Burma.
00:24:27.93\00:24:29.98
We invite you to
partner with us to reach the
00:24:30.01\00:24:33.36
unreached people who
desperately need Jesus.
00:24:33.39\00:24:37.77
We're told in the
book Desire of Ages,
00:24:37.80\00:24:40.48
"All may find something to do.
00:24:40.51\00:24:42.88
'The poor always ye
have with you' Jesus said,
00:24:42.91\00:24:46.68
and none need feel
that there is no place
00:24:46.71\00:24:49.59
where they can labor for Him.
00:24:49.62\00:24:52.09
Millions upon millions of
human souls ready to perish,
00:24:52.12\00:24:56.33
bound in chains
of ignorance and sin
00:24:56.36\00:24:59.46
have never so much as
heard of Christ's love for them.
00:24:59.49\00:25:04.01
Were our condition
and theirs to be reversed,
00:25:04.04\00:25:07.79
what would we
desire them to do for us?
00:25:07.82\00:25:11.54
All this so far
as lies in our power,
00:25:11.57\00:25:14.62
we are under the most solemn
obligation to do for them."
00:25:14.65\00:25:20.71
I invite you to pray
with me asking Jesus Christ
00:25:20.74\00:25:24.27
the greatest missionary
to dwell in us by His spirit
00:25:24.30\00:25:28.34
guiding us to become
missionaries for Him.
00:25:28.37\00:25:31.66
I believe that if we pray
this prayer He will answer
00:25:31.69\00:25:35.64
and lead us to
the refugees in need.
00:25:35.67\00:25:38.37
We solicit your
prayers for this ministry
00:25:38.40\00:25:41.45
and invite you to
give as God impresses you.
00:25:41.48\00:25:44.93
Your gifts will help
send many willing missionaries
00:25:44.96\00:25:48.41
to un-reach villages in Burma.
00:25:48.44\00:25:51.41
For $90 a month you can
support a church planter,
00:25:51.44\00:25:55.92
$100 a month will
support a medical missionary
00:25:55.95\00:25:59.65
and $70 a month
will support a teacher
00:25:59.68\00:26:03.03
at the Karen Adventist Academy.
00:26:03.06\00:26:06.53
You can call ASAP now or
go online at your convenience
00:26:06.56\00:26:10.58
to make a tax
deductible donation.
00:26:10.61\00:26:13.37
To learn more about
how you can reach out
00:26:13.40\00:26:16.13
to refugees
here on your doorstep
00:26:16.16\00:26:19.29
please call us as
the Lord impresses you.
00:26:19.32\00:26:22.72
My prayer is that
God will bless you
00:26:22.75\00:26:25.31
and speak to your
heart if you listen to our
00:26:25.34\00:26:27.99
Karen Brother Joe
Tan sing "Open Our Eyes."
00:26:28.02\00:26:33.27
Open your eyes to
the world all around you
00:26:33.30\00:26:37.96
Open your eyes, open your eyes
00:26:37.99\00:26:42.40
This world is much
more than the things
00:26:42.43\00:26:45.36
that surround you
00:26:45.39\00:26:47.42
You must arise,
and open your eyes
00:26:47.45\00:26:52.09
Sometimes we're
too busy to share
00:26:52.12\00:26:56.80
But Jesus wants
us to care, to care
00:26:56.83\00:27:04.30
Open your eyes to
the world all around you
00:27:04.33\00:27:09.14
Open your eyes, open your eyes
00:27:09.17\00:27:13.35
This world is much
more than the things
00:27:13.38\00:27:16.44
that surround
you Open your eyes,
00:27:16.47\00:27:20.62
open your eyes
00:27:20.65\00:27:23.05
Jesus loves all men the same
00:27:23.08\00:27:27.43
So we've got to
go out in His name,
00:27:27.46\00:27:32.32
His name
00:27:32.35\00:27:35.18
Jesus says, Jesus says,
00:27:35.21\00:27:39.90
Jesus says, it's Him
00:27:39.93\00:27:44.49
Jesus says, when we love someone
00:27:44.52\00:27:48.24
in His name,
00:27:48.27\00:27:50.01
we're loving Him
00:27:50.04\00:27:56.32
we're loving Him
00:27:56.35\00:28:02.58