Participants:
Series Code: HIM
Program Code: HIM000160A
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00:13 I'm sitting in one of the classrooms here
00:15 on the Southeast Adventist Seminary in Myanmar. 00:18 Child Impact International 00:20 has chosen this as one of the locations 00:22 where they have sponsored more than 600 children 00:25 across Southeast Asia. 00:27 Ninety-five percent of this country is Buddhist. 00:29 That makes it very difficult for the gospel to be shared 00:32 among people that do not know the name Jesus 00:35 or have chosen through cultural reasons 00:37 to not understand who Jesus is. 00:39 But the Seventh-day Adventist Church 00:40 has been established here more than 115 years ago, 00:43 yet there is a tremendous challenge. 00:45 How do you get the gospel out to those individuals 00:48 who have been influenced by quite a different religion? 00:51 This is where Child Impact International 00:53 has come aboard. 00:54 And so you're going to join me today 00:56 as we see the difference that this ministry 00:58 has made in carrying the gospel among the Koren people 01:01 and throughout Southeast Asia. 01:16 Children are our future. 01:19 They're full of dreams and desires, 01:22 but in the world of unspeakable despair, 01:24 these ignited minds live in poverty and pervasion, 01:27 helpless and hopeless. 01:32 Child Impact International is an organization giving hope. 01:36 It is an organization 01:38 fostering permanent positive change 01:40 in the lives of disadvantaged children 01:42 and those who are in need. 01:44 Serving communities in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, 01:49 Myanmar, and beyond. 01:51 For the last 15 years, 01:53 Child Impact has invested in the futures of children, 01:56 and their investment has proven infinite returns. 01:59 Driven by their dedication 02:01 to helping those who have the least, 02:03 Child Impact is an organization focused 02:06 on the welfare of children. 02:08 Implementing diverse development projects 02:10 and sponsoring thousands of children. 02:14 Their outreach spans from child rescue operations 02:16 to providing an education for orphans, deaf, 02:19 and the blind children, 02:21 giving them a sense of place, a home. 02:25 But above all, 02:26 Child Impact is an organization giving hope, 02:29 giving hope to children, 02:31 giving hope to communities, 02:34 giving hope to the ones who need it the most. 02:41 This is Hope in Motion. 03:13 Child Impact International is an organization 03:16 that is committed to making a difference 03:17 in the lives of needy children 03:19 by providing them with an education 03:21 through its sponsorship program. 03:23 Child Impact is an organization 03:25 that believes in fostering permanent positive change 03:28 in the lives of children and their communities, 03:30 and a primary way of bringing about this change 03:32 is through education. 03:37 Child Impact has been active in Myanmar 03:39 for the last few years, 03:41 sponsoring over 600 students 03:43 through its Educate Myanmar Fund, 03:45 helping poor children from various backgrounds 03:47 attend Adventist mission schools. 03:50 In mission fields like Myanmar, 03:51 Child Impact Sponsorship Program 03:53 not only helps fund children's education 03:56 but has a bigger role 03:57 in supporting the mission of the church. 04:19 My wife Angela and I have had an opportunity 04:22 to travel to many mission fields 04:23 around the world in many countries 04:25 to see how the church works. 04:27 But we have never been to Myanmar. 04:29 So when Jim Rennie invited us to come to Myanmar, 04:31 we were very excited to begin to see a country 04:34 that, up until that point, was a great mystery to us. 04:38 Myanmar formally known as Burma is located in Southeast Asia. 04:42 It borders China, India, Bangladesh, Laos, and Thailand. 04:47 And for that reason, 04:48 it has absorbed many other cultural impacts, 04:51 both religiously and socially. 04:53 For many years, it was ruled colonially, 04:56 and then military rule, but now civilian rule. 05:00 It has opened the doors to the outside world, 05:02 and Myanmar is now free, and friendly, and peaceful. 05:07 And, friends, that's very good news 05:09 for the Seventh-day Adventist Church 05:11 and for Child Impact International. 05:22 Pastor John Lomacang and his wife Angela 05:25 are longtime supporters of Child Impact's work. 05:27 And today, they are traveling with Jim Rennie 05:29 to the Mountain View Academy in Central Myanmar. 06:01 It's Monday morning here at Mountain View Academy. 06:03 You know what's exciting? 06:05 The day begins with worship. 06:08 As I was walking and I was listening 06:09 to the young boys and girls 06:11 singing to the top of their voices 06:13 to the glory of God, 06:15 they were smiling, they were excited, 06:17 they look so wonderful in their uniforms, 06:20 and I was so excited to be able to be here 06:22 and begin the day with them. 06:23 What a difference it makes 06:25 when you begin your day with Jesus. 06:27 So I'm going to join them for worship now 06:30 and have the same blessing that God is preparing for them. 06:34 Their visit begins promisingly as they attend morning worship 06:37 with the children, 06:39 but their main objective in visiting the school 06:41 was to see for themselves the impact 06:43 sponsorship is having on underprivileged children 06:45 in Myanmar. 06:47 For Pastor Lomacang and Angela, 06:49 this impact was very evident 06:51 as they were taken around the campus. 06:53 They saw bright, 06:55 bubbly children sitting in their classrooms, 06:57 even though learning conditions were not 06:58 what they were used to seeing. 07:00 These children were being given an opportunity 07:02 to get an education in a very unlikely place. 07:05 This school is an oasis 07:07 in the midst of extreme hardship. 07:10 One thing that moved me coming to this school 07:12 here in Myanmar is the children. 07:15 I love children and I love to see children 07:19 that are content and happy. 07:21 And the children here at this school 07:22 seem to be content and happy, 07:25 and it gives me such joy to see the smiles on their faces, 07:29 the peace of God in their hearts. 07:31 So I just praise God for being here, 07:33 for giving me the opportunity to be here, 07:36 to be with Child Impact International 07:39 and for the work that they're doing worldwide. 07:44 Myanmar is a poor country where families struggle 07:46 to provide for their children. 07:48 In a world where they strive to make ends meet, 07:50 sending their children to school 07:52 becomes very difficult. 07:53 But all parents want the best for their children 07:56 and they do view education as a catalyst for change. 07:59 This is where organizations like Child Impact step in 08:02 to make it possible for hundreds of children 08:04 like Esther to attend school 08:06 and receive a quality education. 08:08 Thank you so much. 08:10 Here I am standing with a wonderful family 08:13 Ethita, whose name in English means Esther, 08:16 her siblings, her mom and her dad, Santu, 08:19 a wonderful family reaching out in their own way as layman 08:24 in this community sharing Jesus. 08:26 But the challenges are great because Santu is the only one 08:30 bringing in income into this family, 08:32 and sponsoring their children 08:33 in the endeavors of Christian education 08:36 is a wonderful but a challenging thing. 08:38 The Mom is not as well as she'd like to be. 08:41 So how can that possibility, how can that challenge be met? 08:45 Here's where you come in. 08:47 With your prayers and your financial support 08:48 of Child Impact International, these lives can be sponsored, 08:52 not just for education, but for eternity. 08:56 I want to invite Chin to come in 08:57 and answer some questions for me 08:59 because she understands the language very well. 09:01 Chin, come stand with me right here. 09:02 Okay, sir. Appreciate it so much. 09:04 I want to ask the father, 09:06 how is it possible, 09:08 how are you providing the needs for the family? 09:18 He works for part-time and do some constructions 09:21 and do the farming. 09:23 Okay, he works part-time in construction and farming. 09:26 And how difficult is it for him on a monthly basis financially? 09:40 They have to be very good 09:46 in managing the money 09:47 and also use very little amounts 09:50 for the family as well, so it's very hard. 09:52 It's not enough always. 09:54 Not enough always. 09:55 Not enough always, very difficult, 09:56 very challenging to make the ends meet for this family. 10:00 A lot of prayer... 10:01 A lot of prayer, 10:03 putting their lives in the Lord's hands, 10:04 and so far he has sustained them wonderfully. 10:07 But what you can do will make amazing differences 10:10 in the lives of all these children. 10:12 I'm sure that Santu and his wife will really, 10:15 deeply appreciate that. 10:16 So thank you for reaching out. 10:18 And in your prayers and your financial support, 10:20 changing and transforming lives for this family. 10:29 Esther is studying in the third grade 10:31 at the school. 10:32 And along with her siblings, 10:34 she embodies to dreams, 10:35 promises, and the possibilities 10:37 of what good education can provide. 10:40 Even though her parents struggle to educate them, 10:42 they are steadfast in the belief 10:44 that educating their children is the only way out 10:47 and do their part to support them. 11:04 Mountain View Academy 11:05 has about 360 students enrolled at present 11:08 and Child Impact sponsors 60 students. 11:11 There is always a need for sponsorship 11:13 in schools such as this 11:14 which were mainly established 11:16 to cater to the needs of lay members' children. 11:18 But these schools also have other pressing needs. 11:21 And for organizations like Child Impact, 11:22 it becomes a challenge to strike a balance 11:25 between providing education to the children 11:27 and helping fund infrastructural needs 11:29 at the school. 11:31 As I visit Myanmar, 11:32 I can see that some people have done 11:34 some amazing work here. 11:36 There's been some large donors who have stepped forward 11:40 and invested in infrastructure. 11:42 And now we have a golden opportunity 11:45 to use this infrastructure, 11:47 and sponsorship is a key way 11:50 that we can ensure that children come 11:52 from the non-Adventists religions 11:54 and from communities, 11:56 and their lives are impacted by the resources 11:59 that we do have here. 12:05 These resources that were envisioned 12:06 by church leaders and generous donors years ago 12:09 continue to be a blessing to hundreds of children 12:11 that pass through its gates. 12:13 It is indeed a golden opportunity for us 12:15 to ensure that it continues to benefit needy children 12:18 and their families in this region. 12:20 Sponsorship is a key way to make certain 12:22 that these facilities are not neglected 12:24 and fall into disrepair. 12:26 For Esther's friend, Thine Siet Shey, 12:29 Mountain View Academy has been her home 12:30 since she was brought to the school 12:32 when she was just a child. 12:33 Her parents live far away and have never come to see her. 12:36 Today, Child Impact sponsorship 12:38 has not just given her a place to live and learn 12:41 but it's given her a chance to know 12:43 and accept Jesus as her savior. 12:48 Friends, here I am sitting down with Esther's friend, Thine, 12:52 who's been on this campus for five years. 12:55 She's been here since kindergarten, 12:57 and now she's in the second grade. 12:59 What an amazing story. 13:00 One of our local pastors became aware of her story 13:02 and her family's plight 13:04 and then he brought her to this campus. 13:06 That's where she's been, now in the second grade. 13:09 Not only is she in the second grade, 13:10 all that time, 13:12 she's not been able to see her family. 13:14 But her life has been transformed and changed. 13:16 And the smile that you see today 13:19 is because she's not only been here 13:20 but she's been baptized, 13:22 she's been able to meet Jesus as her personal Savior. 13:25 And the difference has been because of what you've done, 13:27 her life is being transformed and changed. 13:29 Her world is not what it used to be. 13:31 Her world is expanding and growing. 13:33 And the donations may seem small 13:35 but the impact to her life 13:37 is something you'll never be able to measure in this life 13:40 but maybe in eternity. 13:42 So thank you for all that you do 13:44 for Child Impact International 13:46 and thank you for what you do to make a difference 13:48 in the lives of young ladies like Thine and Esther. 13:54 Ellen White says, 13:56 "True education is the harmonious development 13:58 of the physical, the mental, and the spiritual powers. 14:02 It prepares the student 14:03 for the joy of service in this world 14:05 and for the higher joy of wider service 14:07 in the world to come." 14:09 What an opportunity for us 14:10 to impact the lives in the mission field. 14:13 Your sponsorship is not just preparing 14:15 these precious children for the world outside 14:18 but for the world to come. 14:20 Sponsors have a huge role in the mission field. 14:24 What it does, 14:26 it goes a long way, sponsorship, 14:28 it helps with their books, 14:30 their education, food, a dormitory, 14:33 but most of all, it prepares them for eternity. 14:37 They're learning about the Jesus 14:38 they have never known at home. 14:41 But when you sponsor a child, 14:44 it is truly preparing them for eternity. 14:47 And that's what this is all about. 14:55 A couple of years ago, 14:56 my daughters and I had a wonderful opportunity 14:59 to travel to India. 15:00 And while we were there, 15:02 we met yet another part of our family, 15:04 and that's our sponsor, daughter, Sheila. 15:06 We've had the privilege of sponsoring Sheila 15:09 through Child Impact International 15:11 for more than three years now. 15:13 And, you know, while we were there, 15:15 she shared with us that her dream 15:18 was to become a nurse. 15:20 Now what a wonderful privilege it is for us, 15:23 now as a family, 15:24 to know that she is fulfilling that dream. 15:28 Sheila is now studying to be a nurse. 15:30 She's in college 15:32 and we could not be happier for her. 15:34 It's been wonderful to be part of that journey with her. 15:37 And, you know, 15:39 sponsoring a child through Child Impact, 15:41 it's made an incredible difference 15:42 for our family. 15:44 And I know that for you, 15:45 sponsoring a child can make a difference for you too. 15:48 And most importantly, 15:50 it can make the difference in the life of a child, 15:52 every day. 16:05 At Adventist mission schools like this one in Bangladesh, 16:09 Child Impact International sponsors hundreds of children. 16:13 We often think that sponsorship 16:15 only impacts on the life of the child 16:18 but it's much wider than that. 16:19 It impacts on the parents and on the community. 16:23 But more important, it impacts on the school. 16:26 It becomes valuable income for this school 16:29 and then in turn, 16:31 it impacts on hundreds of other children. 16:33 I just asked that you would consider 16:36 sponsoring a child with Child Impact 16:38 or supporting one of its valuable projects 16:41 that will improve education and Adventist mission schools 16:45 like this one right here. 17:03 Myanmar is a big country and one gets to realize this 17:06 only when traveling by road from one place to another. 17:10 We left Mountain View Academy early morning 17:12 and took a seven-hour drive to Southern Myanmar 17:15 to the Southeast Adventist Seminary 17:17 or Eric B. Hare School as it is commonly referred to 17:20 by the locals and visitors. 17:23 Pastor Eric B. Hare was an Australian missionary 17:26 who established the Southeast Adventist Seminary 17:29 to serve the Karen people, 17:30 one of the major tribal communities of Myanmar 17:33 more than 100 years ago. 17:36 Here, I get an opportunity today 17:37 to sit at a very important spot 17:40 on the Southeast Adventist Seminary campus. 17:43 This spot has been chosen to commemorate a vision, 17:46 a seed planted 102 years ago. 17:50 I'm sitting in front of a very special memorial 17:52 to the person who God gave this vision to. 17:56 And for the last century or more, 17:58 lives have been transformed. 18:00 Let me share with you what is written 18:02 on the centennial jubilee commemoration. 18:05 It says The Centennial Jubilee 18:07 of Southeast Adventist Seminary, 18:09 Eric B. Hare Memorial Academy, 1916-2016. 18:15 In honor of Pastor Eric B. Hare, 18:18 a devoted missionary, among the Karen people, 18:22 a master storyteller, a health worker, 18:25 and educator who planted the seed of true education 18:29 in this community 18:30 and the township of the current people 18:33 by establishing the Southeast Adventist Seminary 18:36 in June 1916. 18:38 He lived in this community from 1915-1934 18:43 and nurtured the school by his presence. 18:47 What an amazing story. 18:49 The Lord chose Pastor Eric B. Hare 18:51 102 years ago to plant a seed in this community. 18:55 And for more than a century, 18:57 lives have been transformed in the classrooms, 19:01 on the walkways, in the halls, 19:02 in the dormitories of young men and young women 19:06 in whose life this very seed of ministry 19:09 has been planted. 19:10 The Karen people have been affected 19:12 in a beautiful way 19:13 by the messages proclaimed from this campus. 19:15 And we're going to get a chance today to see in a very real way 19:19 how that seed planted is being watered 19:21 by Child Impact International 19:24 and transforming lives not only for time 19:27 but also for eternity. 19:33 Child Impact International 19:34 considers it a blessing and a privilege 19:36 to be supporting an historic institution 19:39 that was established a century ago. 19:41 Child Impact Sponsorship Program 19:44 helps this school continue to be of service 19:45 to the children from the community, 19:47 especially needy children 19:48 from Adventist lay members families. 19:52 Here at the Southeast Adventist Seminary, 19:54 there are about 500 children, of those 500 children, 19:59 Child Impact International sponsors about 25%. 20:03 So Child Impact International 20:06 is a key part of giving support to these students, 20:10 it's a key part of the school's funding, 20:13 it's a key part of the impact on the community 20:16 that this school serves. 20:18 And I'm really proud of the support that we get 20:21 from our sponsors. 20:23 So not only child by child we're making a difference, 20:26 but we're having a big impact on the finance, the future, 20:30 and the effectiveness of this school. 20:36 Child Impact's funding is crucial 20:38 as there is an influx of students wanting 20:40 to join the school each year. 20:42 This being a boarding school, 20:44 the steady stream of students from Adventist 20:46 and non-Adventist backgrounds has, 20:47 over the years, 20:49 made it difficult to find accommodation for them. 20:52 This difficult situation became more striking 20:55 as Pastor Lomacang and Angela met with Khin Khin, 20:58 the girls' dean who was overcome with emotions 21:01 as she narrated the struggles the girls go through 21:03 in a crowded living environment. 21:07 The most important and the urgent need 21:09 is for the girl's dormitory 21:13 because we need... 21:16 Before we have only 160 or 170 girls, 21:21 but today we have 200 above. 21:25 So the place is getting very crowded, 21:27 and we really need to expand or build a new hostel 21:33 for the girls. 21:36 It is a challenge to provide quality accommodation, 21:39 especially for the girls 21:40 but parents who really want their children to be educated. 21:43 And this desire to give them quality Christian education 21:47 overcomes any temporary discomfort 21:49 their children may face in the dorms or classrooms. 21:59 Salla Lawa 22:00 is a ninth-grade student at the school, 22:02 and she considers it a privilege to be studying 22:04 at the school. 22:06 She is thankful that someone 22:07 is able to sponsor her education. 22:12 Although Salla is a boarding student, 22:14 she visits her grandparents who live close by the school. 22:17 She graciously invited Pastor Lomacang 22:19 to visit her grandparents. 22:21 Her parents have moved to Yangon for work 22:23 and so Salla visits her grandparents every day 22:26 just to help with the chores and look after them. 22:29 We're glad to get a chance to meet you. 22:31 Onji, so good to be here today. 22:34 How old are you? 22:38 Ninety. Ninety years old. 22:41 And what did you do throughout the years? 22:44 What was your occupation? 22:54 He used to be a farmer. 22:55 A farmer, in an agricultural way? 22:58 Yes. Yes. 22:59 And now he's retired? 23:01 Yes. 23:02 See, Onji was a farmer, but he's now retired. 23:05 He was helping planting seeds, harvesting crops, 23:09 but now the crops are being harvested 23:11 in a different way 23:13 through the life of their granddaughter 23:15 Salla Lawa. 23:16 The crop of the seeds that the gospel presented 23:20 are now coming to fruition 23:22 as we see generation after generation. 23:24 I believe they said they have about 10 grandchildren 23:27 and two sons, 23:29 and Salla Lawa is the product of one of their two sons. 23:34 And I also found out something else 23:36 that in her class of more than 60 students, 23:40 Salla Lawa is ranking fourth, 23:44 which means she takes her education 23:46 very, very seriously. 23:47 So you can see that sponsorship is not something 23:49 that is received lightly but it's received very humbly, 23:54 and the lives are being transformed of young people 23:56 just like her, just like her siblings, 23:59 and the impact on her family, 24:01 and then the future is something 24:03 that we can all be excited about 24:05 and thankful about. 24:07 So whenever you participate in any kind of sponsorship 24:09 for Child Impact International, 24:12 these are the families that you're changing, 24:15 young people like Salla Lawa, 24:17 the impact on her grandmother and grandfather, 24:19 on their generations to come. 24:21 As he was a farmer planting the seeds 24:24 that brought forth crops to bless many lives, 24:27 the Lord through your sponsorship 24:29 is planting the gospel seed in Salla Lawa's life 24:32 through former students like Khin Khin 24:34 who is now one of the teachers at the Eric B. Hare Seminary. 24:39 Thank you for all you do to make a difference. 24:42 Impacting lives not only for now 24:45 but for eternity. 25:03 Today, the Southeast Adventist Seminary 25:06 stands as a true testament 25:08 to Pastor Eric B. Hare's vision. 25:10 This school that was established by him 25:12 to sow the initial seeds of true education 25:15 among the Karen people 25:16 continues to educate and nurture young minds 25:19 for tomorrow and for eternity. 25:31 Children and their future 25:32 are very important to my wife and to me. 25:35 Those are the things that are close to our heart. 25:37 That's why we enjoy 25:38 traveling with Child Impact International. 25:41 A few years ago, 25:42 they invited us to go with them to India. 25:44 This time, we're in Myanmar. 25:46 And since we've been here, 25:47 we've seen some amazing stories coming to fruition. 25:51 We went to Mountain View, 25:53 the academy where we saw young children 25:54 and their teachers working hand in hand together, 25:58 their eyes brightly lit with hope and a future 26:01 seeing that somebody cares about 26:04 what happens with them tomorrow. 26:05 Not only is sponsorship making a difference, 26:07 but the places they are educated, 26:10 the places that they live, the dormitories, 26:13 their educational supplies, but more important than that, 26:16 the relationship that they have with their teachers, 26:18 people that are dedicated to their wellbeing. 26:21 Here on the Southeast Adventist Seminary campus, 26:24 I've witnessed the very same thing. 26:26 We've also saw a student who was at one time 26:30 going to school here, 26:31 Khin Khin, she's now a teacher teaching mathematics. 26:34 She's also the dean for 219 girls. 26:37 And I spoke to her and had a chance to find out 26:39 why she would come back to a campus 26:41 when, in fact, 26:42 she can make more money elsewhere around this country. 26:45 She said, "This place has transformed my life, 26:48 and I want to give back 26:49 to transform somebody else's life." 26:52 Your sponsorship and your support 26:55 is where the future is going to be secure. 26:58 So when you think about how you can be participating 27:00 in this mission, 27:01 think of a child here in Myanmar, 27:04 a child in India, throughout Southeast Asia. 27:07 One day, you're going to stand before the Lord 27:09 and I'm looking forward to hearing the phrase, 27:11 "As much as you have done it to the least of these 27:14 my brethren, you have done it to Me." 27:16 So thank you, 27:18 thank you from the bottom of our heart 27:20 for all that you do for these children here 27:22 in Myanmar and in India. 27:25 The kingdom is going to be a beautiful and a bright place 27:28 because the Lord has reached out 27:30 and touched your heart, 27:31 and you've responded 27:32 by touching the hearts and lives of these young children. 27:35 What a wonderful thing to do knowing that our Lord is near 27:39 and He's called us to stand 27:40 at this very beautiful and challenging moment. 27:43 Child Impact International is committed to the vision 27:47 that was started here in Myanmar 27:48 and the vision of Southeast Asia. 27:51 Thank you for all that you do, and may God richly bless you. |
Revised 2019-02-18