Welcome to Myanmar. 00:00:02.03\00:00:04.13 I am standing on the bank 00:00:04.17\00:00:06.10 of the Delta region of this country 00:00:06.13\00:00:07.80 and as we look out on to the river, 00:00:07.84\00:00:09.80 this plays an integral part 00:00:09.84\00:00:11.54 in the lives and economy of the people in this country, 00:00:11.57\00:00:14.94 through fishing as well as transportation. 00:00:14.98\00:00:18.31 90% of the people in this country 00:00:18.35\00:00:20.68 practice Buddhism. 00:00:20.72\00:00:22.22 In fact Myanmar is one of the most 00:00:22.25\00:00:23.89 religious Buddhist countries in the world. 00:00:23.92\00:00:27.29 When looking at the proportion amongst the people, 00:00:27.32\00:00:30.73 population as well as the amount of income 00:00:30.76\00:00:34.53 that they spend on religion. 00:00:34.56\00:00:37.47 This presents a great challenge to the mission 00:00:37.50\00:00:40.00 of the Seventh-day Adventist church here in Myanmar. 00:00:40.04\00:00:43.17 But this is beginning to change slowly. 00:00:43.20\00:00:45.84 Adventist education plays a central role 00:00:45.87\00:00:50.01 in the spreading of the gospel in Myanmar. 00:00:50.05\00:00:53.68 But challenge is 00:00:53.72\00:00:55.35 that a decent education is expensive, 00:00:55.38\00:00:58.49 most people can't afford it. 00:00:58.52\00:01:00.46 But this is where an organization like Asian Aid 00:01:00.49\00:01:03.66 has such a great deal of impact. 00:01:03.69\00:01:06.06 They are concerned and committed 00:01:06.09\00:01:08.36 to the welfare of children in need here. 00:01:08.40\00:01:11.83 Join me on a journey as we see what Asian Aid 00:01:11.87\00:01:16.37 is doing to strengthen and further the mission 00:01:16.40\00:01:19.61 of the Seventh-day Adventist church in Myanmar. 00:01:19.64\00:01:22.64 Asian Aid is an organization giving hope, 00:01:36.29\00:01:39.33 an organization fostering permanent positive change 00:01:39.36\00:01:42.56 in the lives of disadvantaged children 00:01:42.60\00:01:44.53 and their communities, an organization 00:01:44.57\00:01:47.44 that is committed to making a difference 00:01:47.47\00:01:49.27 in the lives of children 00:01:49.30\00:01:50.64 and those who are in need, serving communities in Nepal, 00:01:50.67\00:01:54.24 Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and India. 00:01:54.28\00:01:58.75 For the last 40 years, 00:02:06.02\00:02:07.89 Asian Aid has invested in the futures of people 00:02:07.92\00:02:10.69 and their investment has proven infinite returns. 00:02:10.73\00:02:14.93 Driven by their dedication 00:02:14.96\00:02:16.56 to helping those who have the least, 00:02:16.60\00:02:18.93 Asian Aid is an organization 00:02:18.97\00:02:20.84 focused on the welfare of children, 00:02:20.87\00:02:23.41 implementing diverse development projects 00:02:23.44\00:02:26.07 and sponsoring thousands of children. 00:02:26.11\00:02:28.78 Their outreach spans from child rescue operations 00:02:28.81\00:02:32.18 to providing an education 00:02:32.21\00:02:33.55 for orphans, deaf and the blind children, 00:02:33.58\00:02:37.22 giving them a sense of place, a home. 00:02:37.25\00:02:40.06 But above all, Asian Aid is an organization giving hope, 00:02:40.09\00:02:44.59 giving hope to children, giving hope to communities, 00:02:44.63\00:02:48.23 giving hope to the ones who need it the most. 00:02:48.26\00:02:51.83 This is Hope in Motion. 00:02:51.87\00:02:55.00 Myanmar or Burma as it was used to be called 00:03:09.32\00:03:12.72 is in Southeast Asia. 00:03:12.75\00:03:14.59 It borders China, India, Bangladesh, Laos, and Thailand. 00:03:14.62\00:03:19.43 It has naturally absorbed some of the cultural influences 00:03:19.46\00:03:22.66 of these neighbors. 00:03:22.70\00:03:24.30 For years colonial rule was seen here 00:03:24.33\00:03:27.10 but then rampant ethnic strife 00:03:27.14\00:03:29.94 caused a military backed government to take power. 00:03:29.97\00:03:34.11 But more recently civilian rule has come to be established 00:03:34.14\00:03:38.95 and the country has opened up its doors to the outside world. 00:03:38.98\00:03:42.95 There's peace and freedom. 00:03:42.98\00:03:45.85 This is good news for the mission 00:03:45.89\00:03:47.22 of the Seventh-day Adventist church in Myanmar 00:03:47.26\00:03:49.92 and the supporting ministries like Asian Aid. 00:03:49.96\00:03:53.40 Myanmar is predominantly a Buddhist country 00:04:02.37\00:04:05.37 where over 85% of the population 00:04:05.41\00:04:08.44 practices Buddhism. 00:04:08.48\00:04:10.68 Public evangelism is banned, 00:04:10.71\00:04:12.88 but the Adventist message is slowly trickling through. 00:04:12.91\00:04:17.02 The main reason for that is our school system. 00:04:17.05\00:04:20.39 Our Adventist schools are a wonderful place 00:04:20.42\00:04:23.02 for us to introduce Jesus to the children 00:04:23.06\00:04:25.89 at a very early age. 00:04:25.93\00:04:28.33 But being a poor country 00:04:28.36\00:04:30.00 many children struggle to attend school 00:04:30.03\00:04:32.80 and get a good education. 00:04:32.83\00:04:35.00 This is where Asian Aid has its biggest impact. 00:04:35.04\00:04:39.61 Last year at the GC session in San Antonio, 00:04:39.64\00:04:42.28 I was privileged to do a benefit concert for Asian Aid 00:04:42.31\00:04:45.31 so that more children could be sponsored. 00:04:45.35\00:04:47.82 When I heard about the work 00:04:47.85\00:04:49.25 that is also being done here in Myanmar, 00:04:49.28\00:04:51.49 I was naturally curious 00:04:51.52\00:04:52.92 and I wanted to come here and see for myself. 00:04:52.95\00:04:55.49 I wanted to see exactly what Asian Aid is doing 00:04:55.52\00:04:58.69 to bring hope, salvation 00:04:58.73\00:05:01.16 and a future to children in need in Myanmar. 00:05:01.20\00:05:04.93 I was first taken to Myanmar Union Adventist Seminary 00:05:22.12\00:05:25.85 or MUAS, as it is commonly known here. 00:05:25.89\00:05:29.76 Now MUAS is the only Adventist institution 00:05:29.79\00:05:33.93 of higher learning in Myanmar. 00:05:33.96\00:05:36.40 And it plays a very important role 00:05:36.43\00:05:38.97 in developing young minds 00:05:39.00\00:05:40.97 to be future torchbearers for the church. 00:05:41.00\00:05:45.21 We have one, only one Adventist College in Myanmar 00:05:45.24\00:05:49.84 and it is very important 00:05:49.88\00:05:51.45 because all youths of Adventist church in Myanmar, 00:05:51.48\00:05:56.79 they come here to study. 00:05:56.82\00:06:00.06 It helps them to get education for their life 00:06:00.09\00:06:04.06 and also their spiritual education 00:06:04.09\00:06:07.66 to prepare for testimony 00:06:07.70\00:06:10.70 to others about the love of God. 00:06:10.73\00:06:14.87 Right now we have over 600 students this semester. 00:06:14.90\00:06:19.87 And most of our students 00:06:19.91\00:06:22.58 come from financially poor background 00:06:22.61\00:06:26.38 and our members scattered all over Myanmar 00:06:26.41\00:06:32.09 from different regions and states, 00:06:32.12\00:06:35.72 so, in my union mission, 00:06:35.76\00:06:39.43 the church have a good anticipation 00:06:39.46\00:06:43.67 on these young people. 00:06:43.70\00:06:45.27 They are the future of the church. 00:06:45.30\00:06:47.64 And they have solid Adventist education 00:06:47.67\00:06:52.17 in this institution only. 00:06:52.21\00:06:53.94 The seminary is a beautiful campus. 00:06:58.61\00:07:01.88 As I was given a quick tour, 00:07:01.92\00:07:03.79 I heard music coming from the auditorium. 00:07:03.82\00:07:06.69 Intrigued by the sound of violin filling the air, 00:07:06.72\00:07:10.13 I went to the auditorium 00:07:10.16\00:07:11.49 to find beautiful young ladies practicing. 00:07:11.53\00:07:16.93 Using and developing your talents 00:07:16.97\00:07:19.57 for God's honor and glory. 00:07:19.60\00:07:21.57 All right, fantastic. 00:08:46.09\00:08:49.02 I have been here to seminary for just a few hours, 00:08:49.06\00:08:51.83 but one of the things that has brought me the most joy 00:08:51.86\00:08:54.56 was to hear them practicing. 00:08:54.60\00:08:56.50 We were walking around the campus 00:08:56.53\00:08:58.13 but we could hear this wonderful beautiful music. 00:08:58.17\00:09:01.54 You know, these young people come from different places 00:09:01.57\00:09:04.77 and different backgrounds 00:09:04.81\00:09:06.51 but something has brought them together, 00:09:06.54\00:09:09.04 music and Jesus Christ. 00:09:09.08\00:09:11.71 You see some of these songs to praise the Lord 00:09:11.75\00:09:14.78 are the first exposure that they have to Jesus. 00:09:14.82\00:09:18.05 But this is a way in which they are coming 00:09:18.09\00:09:20.49 to learn about Jesus Christ. 00:09:20.52\00:09:22.69 Asian Aid is making it possible 00:09:22.72\00:09:24.93 for these young people and many others, 00:09:24.96\00:09:27.40 to be able to dedicate their talents and their lives 00:09:27.43\00:09:30.60 to share the love of Jesus with others. 00:09:30.63\00:09:35.67 Young people using their talents 00:09:35.70\00:09:37.44 for the glory of God and witnessing it 00:09:37.47\00:09:40.01 on one of the frontier mission fields 00:09:40.04\00:09:42.14 of the church is a true blessing. 00:09:42.18\00:09:45.31 In fact the spirituality that emits 00:09:45.35\00:09:47.68 from the students and staff a like 00:09:47.72\00:09:49.35 is very encouraging to me and many other visitors 00:09:49.38\00:09:53.05 who have visited this campus over the years. 00:09:53.09\00:09:56.39 It reinforced my belief in the Adventist school system 00:09:56.42\00:09:59.89 and the role education plays in witnessing 00:09:59.93\00:10:03.70 for our Lord and savior. 00:10:03.73\00:10:06.43 I believe that in the country of Myanmar probably more 00:10:06.47\00:10:10.44 so than in many other countries in the world, 00:10:10.47\00:10:12.74 education is vital. 00:10:12.77\00:10:14.74 And I believe so because education seems to be 00:10:14.78\00:10:19.18 the platform in which many non-Adventists 00:10:19.21\00:10:23.49 or Christians get to know about Jesus Christ. 00:10:23.52\00:10:27.29 And so from my particular perspective, 00:10:27.32\00:10:29.26 education is vital in this country. 00:10:29.29\00:10:31.96 It is important that we subsidize it, 00:10:31.99\00:10:34.50 it is important that we, 00:10:34.53\00:10:36.26 that we really create the environment 00:10:36.30\00:10:39.30 in which children have an opportunity 00:10:39.33\00:10:41.90 to learn about Christ. 00:10:41.94\00:10:45.17 But a good education is not easy to get, 00:10:45.21\00:10:48.31 particularly in rural areas, 00:10:48.34\00:10:51.35 especially in a poor country like Myanmar, 00:10:51.38\00:10:54.02 where obtaining a good Adventist education 00:10:54.05\00:10:56.92 is not within reach 00:10:56.95\00:10:58.62 of a majority of Adventist families. 00:10:58.65\00:11:02.26 As you know Asian Aid operates in six countries in Asia 00:11:02.29\00:11:06.36 and recently entered Myanmar. 00:11:06.39\00:11:08.90 Now traditionally Asian Aid takes a child by its own need 00:11:08.93\00:11:12.97 and places someone in Adventist school. 00:11:13.00\00:11:16.44 Poverty is a vicious cycle 00:11:16.47\00:11:18.57 and in Myanmar there is a lot of poverty 00:11:18.61\00:11:22.18 and the great thing about education is that 00:11:22.21\00:11:24.85 it helps break that cycle. 00:11:24.88\00:11:27.35 That cycle that has an impact 00:11:27.38\00:11:29.05 not just on the child but on the family, 00:11:29.08\00:11:32.55 and this is why sponsorship in a country like Myanmar 00:11:32.59\00:11:36.69 is very, very significant for the total population. 00:11:36.73\00:11:41.30 Not just on the child but on the family 00:11:41.33\00:11:44.03 and on the village they come from. 00:11:44.07\00:11:47.07 I truly believe that our Adventist schools 00:11:47.10\00:11:49.14 and seminaries not only serve as an educational institution 00:11:49.17\00:11:53.68 but also as a beacon of light to the community it serves. 00:11:53.71\00:11:59.55 Talking about community, 00:11:59.58\00:12:01.38 I was anxious to visit some of the neighboring villages 00:12:01.42\00:12:04.92 and see for myself some of the circumstances 00:12:04.95\00:12:08.39 that these students come from. 00:12:08.42\00:12:10.63 You are so cute. 00:12:13.80\00:12:16.43 Jesus. 00:12:16.46\00:12:18.83 I am in a small poor village deep in the heart of Myanmar. 00:12:39.69\00:12:43.69 You wouldn't know it 00:12:43.73\00:12:45.06 but our school is actually not too far away. 00:12:45.09\00:12:48.43 In our western comfortable cultures and countries 00:12:48.46\00:12:51.53 we've probably heard about poverty, we've read about it, 00:12:51.57\00:12:54.74 we've seen pictures, but unless you're here, 00:12:54.77\00:12:58.17 it's hard to fully grasp and understand what it's like. 00:12:58.21\00:13:02.88 The children you see behind me live in this village. 00:13:02.91\00:13:06.31 Their parents go out 00:13:06.35\00:13:07.68 and work under backbreaking conditions all day. 00:13:07.72\00:13:11.42 That means that these children stay here. 00:13:11.45\00:13:13.89 They don't have the chance to go to school. 00:13:13.92\00:13:16.46 And when they grow up, the cycle is perpetuated. 00:13:16.49\00:13:19.96 They can only go to work 00:13:20.00\00:13:21.56 where their parents worked and this continues. 00:13:21.60\00:13:24.80 But Asian Aid is making it possible 00:13:24.83\00:13:27.17 for these young people to be able to go 00:13:27.20\00:13:29.27 to a Christian school, get an education, love Jesus, 00:13:29.30\00:13:33.61 and then serve others and God. 00:13:33.64\00:13:37.75 Come with me after the break 00:13:37.78\00:13:39.71 and I'm going to show you a prime example 00:13:39.75\00:13:42.38 of how this sponsorship program is changing the lives. 00:13:42.42\00:13:46.22 It's breaking the cycle of poverty 00:13:46.25\00:13:48.32 and bringing hope, salvation, and a future to many. 00:13:48.36\00:13:52.03 A few years ago I had the privilege 00:13:59.20\00:14:00.70 of visiting India to see how the Asian Aid projects 00:14:00.74\00:14:04.24 are transforming lives in that country. 00:14:04.27\00:14:06.91 Especially the lives of abandoned children, 00:14:06.94\00:14:09.58 tribal children, orphan children, 00:14:09.61\00:14:12.31 children being raised without the advantages 00:14:12.35\00:14:14.78 we have here in America. 00:14:14.82\00:14:16.32 Sometimes things that we take for granted 00:14:16.35\00:14:18.35 are not there in that country. 00:14:18.39\00:14:20.19 And I discovered one very important thing 00:14:20.22\00:14:22.89 because of sponsors like you, these lives are being changed 00:14:22.92\00:14:26.59 and the future is being made bright. 00:14:26.63\00:14:29.03 Now these children have good clothing, 00:14:29.06\00:14:31.23 good nutritious food, 00:14:31.27\00:14:33.20 and they are able now to propel themselves 00:14:33.23\00:14:35.60 to a brighter tomorrow with good education 00:14:35.64\00:14:38.07 because of your sponsorship, 00:14:38.11\00:14:39.44 and your prayers, and your financial support. 00:14:39.47\00:14:41.84 And so on behalf of Asian Aid, 00:14:41.88\00:14:43.45 I want to thank you for what you do 00:14:43.48\00:14:45.35 because of what you have done and what you continue to do 00:14:45.38\00:14:48.38 not only in India but in other countries, 00:14:48.42\00:14:50.89 these children have hope, hope for a brighter future. 00:14:50.92\00:14:54.42 You know, couple of years ago 00:15:09.27\00:15:10.61 my daughters and I had a wonderful opportunity 00:15:10.64\00:15:13.14 to travel to India and there we met 00:15:13.17\00:15:15.61 another part of our family 00:15:15.64\00:15:17.01 and that was our sponsor daughter Sheela. 00:15:17.05\00:15:19.78 You know we've been sponsoring Sheela 00:15:19.81\00:15:21.25 through Asian Aid for a couple of years now 00:15:21.28\00:15:23.79 and it's been an incredible privilege. 00:15:23.82\00:15:26.05 While we were spending time with Sheela at her home 00:15:26.09\00:15:28.46 and at her school there in India, 00:15:28.49\00:15:30.73 we learnt that her dream was to become a nurse 00:15:30.76\00:15:33.83 and it's a wonderful blessing now to know that 00:15:33.86\00:15:36.87 she has realized that dream. 00:15:36.90\00:15:38.67 Sheela is now studying to become a nurse, 00:15:38.70\00:15:40.70 she's a vet at college and we could not be more proud 00:15:40.74\00:15:44.21 or happier for her. 00:15:44.24\00:15:46.04 You know, sponsoring Sheela 00:15:46.07\00:15:47.51 has made an incredible difference to our family 00:15:47.54\00:15:49.98 and I believe it can make a difference for you. 00:15:50.01\00:15:52.11 And most importantly, 00:15:52.15\00:15:53.65 sponsoring a child makes a difference 00:15:53.68\00:15:55.72 in the life of a child each and everyday. 00:15:55.75\00:15:58.89 Visiting a village that day was a revelation. 00:16:20.98\00:16:24.88 It opened my eyes to the struggles 00:16:24.91\00:16:26.82 and hardships of the poor in a way 00:16:26.85\00:16:29.38 that you can only understand by being there. 00:16:29.42\00:16:33.15 It gave me a new insight 00:16:33.19\00:16:35.29 into the role our schools play in the mission field 00:16:35.32\00:16:38.86 and the impact organizations like Asian Aid 00:16:38.89\00:16:42.16 has in supporting the church in its mission. 00:16:42.20\00:16:46.77 Even though the church work started 00:16:46.80\00:16:48.37 over a 100 years ago in Myanmar, 00:16:48.40\00:16:50.94 the past 50 years have been a huge challenge for the church 00:16:50.97\00:16:54.68 because of unfavorable political situations 00:16:54.71\00:16:57.71 that prevailed here 00:16:57.75\00:16:59.15 and the churches had great challenges 00:16:59.18\00:17:01.48 in promoting Christian education 00:17:01.52\00:17:03.49 across this Buddhist country. 00:17:03.52\00:17:05.95 But the situation has changed and the Lord has opened doors 00:17:05.99\00:17:09.79 and opportunities for us to expand His work in Myanmar. 00:17:09.82\00:17:15.20 For us to move forward in Myanmar in a positive way, 00:17:15.23\00:17:18.33 we established the Asian Aid Educate Myanmar Fund. 00:17:18.37\00:17:23.07 The purpose of this fund is to help sponsor 00:17:23.10\00:17:26.57 the 600 children that we've taken. 00:17:26.61\00:17:29.18 We don't have sponsors for them. 00:17:29.21\00:17:31.08 So stage one of the Educate Myanmar Fund 00:17:31.11\00:17:34.15 is to help sponsor those 600 children 00:17:34.18\00:17:37.49 where we find sponsors. 00:17:37.52\00:17:39.99 The second way is obviously to sponsor 00:17:40.02\00:17:42.96 one or more Myanmar children which you can do 00:17:42.99\00:17:46.70 through the Asian Aid sponsorship system. 00:17:46.73\00:17:49.70 The other need is that these mission schools 00:17:49.73\00:17:52.63 need resources in the classroom. 00:17:52.67\00:17:54.97 They are growing so fast. 00:17:55.00\00:17:56.91 So the Asian Aid Myanmar Fund would be totally committed 00:17:56.94\00:18:01.38 to helping the Adventist schools in Myanmar 00:18:01.41\00:18:05.11 and the critical thing is that 100% of the money 00:18:05.15\00:18:09.55 sent to Myanmar goes direct to these needy schools 00:18:09.58\00:18:14.22 mainly for sponsorship 00:18:14.26\00:18:16.09 but also to help develop these schools. 00:18:16.12\00:18:19.53 The Educate Myanmar Fund that Asian Aid operates 00:18:19.56\00:18:23.26 to sponsor children addresses another important issue 00:18:23.30\00:18:27.77 and that is the issue of congestion in the dorms 00:18:27.80\00:18:30.91 and other infrastructural needs. 00:18:30.94\00:18:33.78 Visiting one of the girls' dorm that day, 00:18:33.81\00:18:36.71 it was very evident to me 00:18:36.75\00:18:38.88 that the boarding facilities lacked 00:18:38.91\00:18:40.95 a conducive living environment. 00:18:40.98\00:18:43.69 Yes, we need more rooms. 00:18:51.66\00:18:53.33 Okay. 00:18:53.36\00:18:55.76 Thank you very much. 00:18:55.80\00:18:57.13 Mm-hmm. Good. 00:18:57.17\00:18:58.67 I just finished the tour of the girls' dorm. 00:19:04.71\00:19:07.78 But the segment that I walked around 00:19:07.81\00:19:09.68 is pretty crowded. 00:19:09.71\00:19:11.31 In fact there are 51 girls that are rooming in that area. 00:19:11.35\00:19:16.18 They sleep on a hard surface 00:19:16.22\00:19:18.22 and so we want to make it possible for them 00:19:18.25\00:19:21.29 to have improved conditions. 00:19:21.32\00:19:23.96 Now where they come from is a lot more disadvantaged. 00:19:23.99\00:19:27.70 So they are really excited and happy to be here. 00:19:27.73\00:19:30.63 We want to be able to get more of those young people 00:19:30.67\00:19:33.34 from those villages into here 00:19:33.37\00:19:35.87 so that they can study and learn. 00:19:35.90\00:19:38.51 Jim led me to the Adventist high school 00:19:53.92\00:19:55.92 that was situated right across the road 00:19:55.96\00:19:58.33 from the seminary. 00:19:58.36\00:19:59.96 As we went around, 00:20:00.00\00:20:01.53 I came across the same infrastructural needs 00:20:01.56\00:20:04.90 that prevailed in the seminary. 00:20:04.93\00:20:07.20 But to me what was encouraging was the fact that 00:20:07.24\00:20:10.67 in spite of the difficult circumstances and situations, 00:20:10.71\00:20:14.58 children were sitting in classrooms learning, 00:20:14.61\00:20:17.31 receiving an education, a Christian education. 00:20:17.35\00:20:22.28 How exciting it is to witness and participate 00:20:22.32\00:20:25.42 in the development of a child's future. 00:20:25.45\00:20:28.89 Going around the campus 00:20:28.92\00:20:30.26 and talking to students and staff, 00:20:30.29\00:20:32.53 I saw the role Asian Aid and more importantly you, 00:20:32.56\00:20:36.26 the sponsors, are playing in the lives of these children 00:20:36.30\00:20:40.87 that come from such impoverished backgrounds. 00:20:40.90\00:20:45.74 They say that seeing is believing. 00:20:45.77\00:20:47.84 Well, you know what? 00:20:47.88\00:20:49.21 This is it right here. It's very exciting. 00:20:49.24\00:20:52.08 Behind me beautiful, wonderful young people learning. 00:20:52.11\00:20:56.38 If you're a sponsor, I want you to check this out. 00:20:56.42\00:20:59.99 And if you're not, I want you to look at these young people 00:21:00.02\00:21:03.39 and perhaps catch the joy, 00:21:03.43\00:21:06.19 the spark and the spirit to be able to do the same 00:21:06.23\00:21:09.36 and make a difference in the lives 00:21:09.40\00:21:11.00 of one of these young people. 00:21:11.03\00:21:12.43 Students who received scholarship 00:21:24.48\00:21:27.78 and obtain the Adventist education, 00:21:27.82\00:21:30.89 now they are prospering in their ministry 00:21:30.92\00:21:35.29 as well as in outside jobs. 00:21:35.32\00:21:37.96 For instance some are now working 00:21:37.99\00:21:42.33 in the institution. 00:21:42.36\00:21:44.10 Some are in the mission field. 00:21:44.13\00:21:46.50 So I really thank God for this sponsorship program. 00:21:46.53\00:21:52.07 The sponsorship for the children 00:21:54.68\00:21:57.28 is very important 00:21:57.31\00:21:58.65 because when we look Adventist family 00:21:58.68\00:22:02.85 average of the families 00:22:02.88\00:22:05.32 are trying for their daily foods. 00:22:05.35\00:22:10.96 So that it is very difficult to send their children 00:22:10.99\00:22:15.13 to the college and sponsor their children. 00:22:15.16\00:22:18.17 So when the children get sponsorship, 00:22:18.20\00:22:22.37 they continue to their education 00:22:22.40\00:22:26.17 and when they, they got the sponsorship, 00:22:26.21\00:22:32.91 they study and when they finish they can, 00:22:32.95\00:22:36.18 some can work in the denomination 00:22:36.22\00:22:38.85 and some work outside and at the same time 00:22:38.89\00:22:43.29 they can be a good witness and testimonies to other. 00:22:43.32\00:22:47.60 They can tell about the love of Jesus. 00:22:47.63\00:22:51.53 This was important for me. 00:22:51.57\00:22:53.54 The fact that Asian Aid 00:22:53.57\00:22:54.90 was contributing to the growth of the church in Myanmar, 00:22:54.94\00:22:58.17 a frontier mission filed is good news. 00:22:58.21\00:23:01.61 As I mentioned earlier, 00:23:01.64\00:23:03.14 public evangelism in Myanmar is banned 00:23:03.18\00:23:06.08 and so Asian Aids involvement in our schools plays a key role 00:23:06.11\00:23:10.82 in the growth of the church. 00:23:10.85\00:23:13.39 I do believe that Asian Aid is in tune 00:23:13.42\00:23:15.89 with the mission of the church. 00:23:15.92\00:23:17.96 The mission of the church is to prepare men and women 00:23:17.99\00:23:21.10 and to prepare the people 00:23:21.13\00:23:23.37 that believe in God for soul winning, 00:23:23.40\00:23:26.87 and Asian Aid is offering that particular opportunity. 00:23:26.90\00:23:30.61 There are 100% in tune 00:23:30.64\00:23:33.71 with the mission of this church. 00:23:33.74\00:23:36.21 All right, here she is. 00:23:36.24\00:23:37.95 Hi there, it's nice to meet you. 00:23:41.12\00:23:43.65 Nice to meet you. 00:23:43.69\00:23:45.15 I have heard a lot about this young lady. 00:23:45.19\00:23:47.56 She also has the interest in teaching. 00:23:56.43\00:23:58.63 We're working here 00:23:58.67\00:24:00.00 and also it's the calling from God 00:24:00.04\00:24:02.67 and she felt that calling from God, 00:24:02.70\00:24:05.27 so that is the reason why she is here. 00:24:05.31\00:24:07.54 Okay, fantastic. 00:24:07.58\00:24:09.68 Well, I shared with you that we had a special story 00:24:09.71\00:24:13.08 before the break and here she is Mia. 00:24:13.11\00:24:15.88 Mia is a recipient of our sponsorship program 00:24:15.92\00:24:19.79 for Asian Aid. 00:24:19.82\00:24:21.16 She was able to come to the school, 00:24:21.19\00:24:23.26 she finished her education, 00:24:23.29\00:24:25.26 then she felt the calling from God to go into teaching. 00:24:25.29\00:24:29.30 And that's why she is here 00:24:29.33\00:24:30.90 teaching these precious children. 00:24:30.93\00:24:33.40 This is what it's all about. 00:24:33.44\00:24:35.14 This is the story of hope. 00:24:35.17\00:24:36.94 This is the story of Asian Aid. 00:24:36.97\00:24:38.61 And you can be a part of that as we make it possible 00:24:38.64\00:24:42.14 for children to have an education, 00:24:42.18\00:24:45.08 come to know Jesus, and share with the world. 00:24:45.11\00:24:50.32 Mia's real name is May Thuzar Tun 00:24:50.35\00:24:54.16 but she preferred to be called Mia. 00:24:54.19\00:24:56.62 She is a 24-year-old Bachelor of Arts graduate 00:24:56.66\00:24:59.96 from the seminary. 00:25:00.00\00:25:01.73 Mia is a fine example 00:25:01.76\00:25:03.47 of what a simple gesture of sponsoring 00:25:03.50\00:25:05.53 a child's education can achieve. 00:25:05.57\00:25:08.90 It achieves far beyond its intended purpose 00:25:08.94\00:25:11.81 of providing a children's education. 00:25:11.84\00:25:13.88 It gives them hope for the future. 00:25:13.91\00:25:17.28 Meeting Mia that day also made me realize 00:25:17.31\00:25:20.18 that she was one of the lucky few. 00:25:20.22\00:25:23.02 Many children across Myanmar especially in rural areas 00:25:23.05\00:25:27.89 do not have this opportunity. 00:25:27.92\00:25:30.86 Being in this place a Christian school 00:25:41.50\00:25:44.84 in the heart of Myanmar reminds me 00:25:44.87\00:25:47.58 of when I was a little boy. 00:25:47.61\00:25:49.88 You see, I lived in a communist country 00:25:49.91\00:25:52.08 and it was impossible to have Christian schools there. 00:25:52.11\00:25:55.48 My parents dreamed of taking my sister and me to a place 00:25:55.52\00:26:00.02 where we should not only be able to worship God freely 00:26:00.06\00:26:03.66 but also have a Christian education. 00:26:03.69\00:26:06.23 Well, Asian Aid is making it possible 00:26:06.26\00:26:08.10 for hundreds of young people here in Myanmar 00:26:08.13\00:26:11.03 to have just that. 00:26:11.07\00:26:12.90 Would you consider partnering with us 00:26:12.93\00:26:15.24 to make a huge difference in the life of a young person 00:26:15.27\00:26:18.54 so that they can come to know Jesus, 00:26:18.57\00:26:21.04 have a Christian education, and share his love with others? 00:26:21.08\00:26:25.88 I was encouraged by Asian Aid's plans for Myanmar. 00:26:25.91\00:26:30.32 Asian Aid is an organization 00:26:30.35\00:26:31.89 that wants to make a significant contribution 00:26:31.92\00:26:34.66 in the lives of needy children. 00:26:34.69\00:26:36.99 Today Asian Aid is making it possible 00:26:37.03\00:26:39.89 to give them this opportunity 00:26:39.93\00:26:42.26 to not just receive an education 00:26:42.30\00:26:44.67 but an opportunity towards eternal life. 00:26:44.70\00:26:50.11 Children and their future are very important to me. 00:26:50.14\00:26:53.64 Those are things that are close to my heart. 00:26:53.68\00:26:55.84 And two years ago, 00:26:55.88\00:26:57.25 Asian Aid invited me 00:26:57.28\00:26:58.68 to go on a life changing trip to India. 00:26:58.71\00:27:01.68 Well, this time I have joined them 00:27:01.72\00:27:03.92 on a trip to Myanmar. 00:27:03.95\00:27:06.15 During our time here, 00:27:06.19\00:27:07.66 we have visited all kinds of interesting places. 00:27:07.69\00:27:10.66 We've been to pagodas, we've also been to villages 00:27:10.69\00:27:14.56 where poverty is visible everywhere. 00:27:14.60\00:27:17.83 I've also been on the campus of some of our schools. 00:27:17.87\00:27:21.20 I had the opportunity to play 00:27:21.24\00:27:22.70 with the group of beautiful young ladies 00:27:22.74\00:27:24.71 who play the violin. 00:27:24.74\00:27:26.31 I am seeing these young people whose lives are being changed 00:27:26.34\00:27:30.71 because of the sponsorship program. 00:27:30.75\00:27:33.42 They have a Christian education, 00:27:33.45\00:27:35.02 they have hope, and they will have a future. 00:27:35.05\00:27:37.75 In fact I met a young lady 00:27:37.79\00:27:39.15 who's now the teacher at a pre-school. 00:27:39.19\00:27:41.92 She went through our program, she was sponsored, 00:27:41.96\00:27:44.76 she graduated, and now she is a teacher. 00:27:44.79\00:27:47.70 What a joy it is to be able to make an impact in the lives 00:27:47.73\00:27:51.77 of so many young people. 00:27:51.80\00:27:53.40 Would you be willing to partner with us? 00:27:53.44\00:27:55.64 Would you be willing to help change a life 00:27:55.67\00:27:57.84 and bring future and Jesus to a young person in Myanmar? 00:27:57.87\00:28:02.41