By a DPM Representative…
This March, I finally made it back to Myanmar, six months after representing the Myanmar team at the 2023 DPM conference. On my trip to New Zealand, I had collected the DPM books the Myanmar team requested, which were the original English versions, for a deeper understanding of Derek’s teachings. This time, my luggage overflowed with those books, and I went through the airport smoothly without being checked by police at all. This was protection from the Lord.
On the Road Delivering DPM Teaching Materials
My arrival in Myanmar was with a lot of joy. The books were placed into the team's library and accessible to all. The second day was dedicated to delivering DPM materials in the Burmese language to churches in the city of Mandalay. The journey was punctuated by numerous security checkpoints; a reminder of the current situation. The abundance of fruit along the road, usually exported to China, served as a bittersweet reminder of the civil war's impact. Thankfully, we reached Mandalay safely, where the DPM-Myanmar team passionately shared their ministry and distributed the books.
On the third day, we ventured to Pyin Oo Lwin, a town neighboring Mandalay. A gathering awaited us – 30 local pastors, Bible college teachers, and Christian leaders. After a warm welcome, the DPM-Myanmar staff began sharing the ministry again, followed by the much anticipated distribution of free books. Some attendees expressed their desire to share the DPM materials with pastors in other states, but the ongoing conflict and road closures posed a logistical challenge.
DPM Seminar
The next day took me on a different leg of the journey – a DPM seminar 2.5 hours from Yangon. This one catered to a broader audience of about 40 local pastors and leaders from Baptist and Presbyterian churches. Auntie “M” led sessions on The Power of Proclamation and Praying for the Government, while “E” shared insights from The Grace of Yielding.
Everyone remained engaged throughout the day, except perhaps for me, who was the only one who fell asleep because I did not understand the language! The day culminated with a powerful testimony from a pastor who expressed immense gratitude for the seminar. He acknowledged the pervasive fear due to the civil war, but he also highlighted the importance of proclaiming peace and blessings over the nation. He pledged to stop complaining and start actively proclaiming God's promises. This powerful reminder resonated deeply with everyone present.
A Faith-Filled Journey Through Myanmar
Everywhere I turned during this trip, I heard stories of fear. Young men aged 18 to 35 will be recruited into the army, leaving families devastated and young people desperate to flee. Many sought refuge in neighboring Thailand, highlighting the human cost of the conflict.
This fear permeated daily life. The local team and even the hotel staff constantly warned me against taking unknown taxis, arranging safe transportation, and even escorting me at times.
Despite the tension, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace throughout the trip. This peace wasn't a product of naivety but rather a deep trust in God's grace. It was a constant reminder that I was exactly where I was meant to be, doing what He had called me to do.
The outpouring of concern from the Myanmar team was a humbling experience. It spoke volumes about their character and the deep bond we shared. They weren't just colleagues but family, united by faith in the face of adversity.
This trip, to me, wasn't just about delivering books or attending seminars. It was a journey that reaffirmed my belief that we should go where God leads, trusting in His divine protection and the peace that surpasses all understanding.
Would you please join us in prayer for the DPM-Myanmar team.
If you are able to help support our missions work in Myanmar and south east Asia, you can do so by making a secure online donation, or for those in New Zealand, you can also phone us on 0508 88 88 99 to make a credit card donation.
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