Myanmar

2020

November 10, 2020 | Todd Ohlmann

Missionary Ohlmann’s annual visit to Myanmar in February was postponed and then canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The CLC-Myanmar was able to purchase a van for church use with a grant from the CLC-MDF.

Pastoral training among the pastors of the CLC-Myanmar has been greatly curtailed due to the pandemic. Plans are to resume training in early 2021.

In spite of strict government Covid restrictions, the National Lutheran Church of Myanmar has been able to continue limited visits and evangelism among the many children they work with in the Yangon area.

Myanmar – 2018-2019

November 3, 2020 | Todd Ohlmann

2019 – Missionary Ohlmann spent two weeks in February and March of 2019 visiting congregations and preaching stations. He also conducting outreach seminars and leadership meetings in Yangon with the National Lutheran Church of Myanmar and in Kalayamyo with the CLC-Myanmar. Kinship began providing financial support for the orphans that Pastor Charles Edwards and NLC-Myanmar work with, in and around Yangon. Kinship support for additional children being cared for by Pastor Kham and his wife in Kalaymyo was approved.

https://missionaryohlmann.blogspot.com/2019/02/finishing-up-in-myanmaron-to-nepal-and.html

2018 – Missionary David Koenig and Missionary Todd Ohlmann visited the CLC-Myanmar and the National Lutheran Church of Myanmar in early 2017. Outreach seminars and leadership meetings were conducted in Kalaymyo and Yangon. The newly finished church building (partially financed through the CLC-MDF) was dedicated in Kalaymyo.

https://missionaryohlmann.blogspot.com/2018/03/sent-to-myanmarfebmar-2018.html

Burma  February 22-March 8

February 10, 2017 | Matthew Ude

The presence of Christians in the kingdom of Malea (North Burma) in the ninth century is recorded along with other south Asia centers by Didacus de Couto. It should be remembered that Marco Polo discovered Nestorian Christians amongst the Shans when the Mongol armies entered Burma in 1252. The first American foreign missionary, Adoniram Judson and his wife Ann, arrived around 1812. And now here we are long years later, and the work is still there. Some things don’t change – the barefoot monks are still trudging about with their begging bowls. Some things do change – the traffic is heavier, construction is going forward and while when the new democracy began lately the prices went up, they are stabilized now. But one thing does not change – the need for the Gospel.

Our work in Yangon is with Pastor Charles Edwards. His son Sam, 22, wants to be a pastor, so that now we are praying about how that could come about. I was able to visit around to some of the stations and people. Some examples of the visiting follow.

  • At a Karen(tribe in Myanmar) pastor’s house I said we were Lutheran and wanted them to be Lutheran and I would be back next year to see.
  • We prayed at the home of a Tamil(originally from India) member whose 17 year old had recently died.
  • We prayed at a Karen widow’s house we met her children and prayed for God’s blessings on her son and his new wife of two weeks.
  • Stopped in at a Baptist’s and tried to show him that immersion is not the only way.
  • I had devotions at three places, one where there were over thirty children.
  • Visited various individuals beyond these and in nearly every case we prayed at each home.
  • Prayed over an 80 year old about ready to be with the Lord.
  • Two services on Sunday.

Pastor Edwards keeps busy preaching as his schedule below shows.
His Stations:

  • Hlaing Thar Yar is where he has his home, church building and attendance between 70-100 preaching each Sunday.
  • Bogalay is 180 miles away and he preaches there once every two months.
  • Oakan is 80 miles away and he preaches there once every two months or more if he can.
  • Shwephyther is where he preaches twice a month.
  • Kyawin’s house is where he preaches twice a month.
  • 86th bus gate is where he preaches weekly. Todd baptized some from there last year.
  • Thingangyum is where he preaches once a month.

At our seminars the following was taught: An Overview of John’s Gospel, Ps. 23, Six Chapters in Daniel, Christ’s Active and Passive Obedience, Understanding Prophecy, 16 Prophets, Baptism, Communion, Christ the Anointed One, John 19 and Zechariah Messianic Prophecies.

At Kalay I taught the same things and we had generally 85 in attendance. I preached at four services with the same attendance.
The big consideration for our brothers here is to move from rented quarters to building on the land we purchased. Pastors Thang and Kham head the church.

One of the orphans Kham and his wife care for, Zokim, required surgery to remove her appendix. This was done during the seminar times and she is recovering in the hospital for maybe two weeks.

The ZLCM Pastor Cin Lian Mung went with the Lord rest in peace in January at Chin State. He was suffering his bodily pain scar cancer. Each pastor serves 5-6 congregations and is assisted by a travelling evangelist.

2015

February 18, 2015 | Matthew Ude

Jan. 29-31 a seminar was held in Yangon with around 100 in attendance. Pastors Ohlmann and Koenig conducted it.
Feb. 4-7 a seminar was held in Kalay with over 80 in attendance with Pastors Ohlmann and Koenig teaching.

2014

| Matthew Ude

Jan. 30-31 a seminar was held in Yangon with Pastor Charles Edwards people and others invited. Att. was around 90 each day.
Feb. 5-8 a seminar was held in Kalay with over 80 in attendance each day.
At the CLC Convention June 16-19 The National Lutheran Church of Myanmar was declared as in fellowship with the CLC.
Oct. 7-9 the JAPC was held with Pastors Kham and Edwards in attendance.
The CLCM changed its name to Zomi Lutheran Church of Myanmar.

2013

| Matthew Ude

A four day seminar was held at Kalay with representatives of the church coming with over  80 each day. Feb. 1-5
Discussions were held with Pastor Charles Edwards of Yangon on his request for fellowship with the CLC. Extensive correspondence was also carried out finding that we were in agreement.
Pastor Charles of the National Lutheran Church of Myanmar was invited as a guest to the JAPC Oct. 9-11 in Madras. Pastors Kham and Thang attended the conference.

2012

| Matthew Ude

Pastor Kham was able to attend the Joint Asian Pastoral Conf. Oct. 3-4 at Guntur, India.

2011

April 4, 2011 | Matthew Ude

Land was purchased with help from the CLC on which to begin to build a church and other buildings. Pastor Kham was able to attend the Joint Asian English Pastoral Conf. in Chennai, India Oct. 13-14 representing the CLCM. Pastor Koenig in the country for two weeks and able to conduct a four day seminar from Dec. 5-8 at Kalay. Mark and Carlton Bohde planned to come, but did not obtain visas. Meetings were also held with the executive comm.of 17 men on a variety of subjects.

2010

April 4, 2010 | Matthew Ude

The CLC-USA at their Jubilee Convention in June declared fellowship with the CLCM. Our prayers are for a growing relationship to work together to spread the Word. Pastor Koenig was present in the country for two weeks in November. A four day seminar was held in Kalay with over 80 participating. All congregations were represented. Meeting with the Executive Committee a number of items were discussed on how we can help. We continue to pray and work toward the purchase of land in Kalay that can serve as a site for: a church bldg., housing for Pastors Thang and Kham and families, a room where teaching can go on of men interested in the ministry of the CLCM. An opportunity arose to conduct a two day seminar in Yangon on what the Lutheran church teaches. Pastor Edwards there was interested in learning more about the CLC and giving the people information on Lutherans. Over 40 attended.

2009

April 4, 2009 | Matthew Ude

The church has formally changed its name to the CLCM. A formal letter of application for fellowship with the CLC has been forwarded to the President. Possible questions on teachings were answered very satisfactority during a visitation by M. Bohde and D. Koenig in November. A three day seminar was held attended by 66 registered men and all 56 congregations were represented by at least one man. Translation work and printing continues to allow all pastors and elders to have our teachings in print before them. The catechism has been distributed throughout the church. A motorcycle was given to the President of the CLCM to allow him to travel to the churches more easily. Land is being investigated as a site for a church, offices, housing and classroom. One of the evangelists is working among Burmese soldiers at a military camp. What a joy to see the outreach and the receptivity of these people to the pure Word.

October 2008

October 4, 2008 | Matthew Ude

A visitation was carried out to the UMELC by Mission Board member Larry Hansen, Mark Bohde(missionary in Thailand) and David Koenig. A two day seminar was held with attendance at 70-80. The executive committee of fifteen men was met with as well as having disussions with individuals. It would appear that we are in agreement on the Word. We are making plans as to how we can continue the contact and see how we can assist the UMELC.

2008

June 4, 2008 | Matthew Ude

Extensive correspondence was carried on by the Secretary of the Mission Board, Pastor Ohlmann with the Upper Myanmar Evangelical Lutheran Church beginning in February and carrying on into the Spring. It was proposed to have a visitation by CLC representatives to the UMELC. This was approved at a June meeting of the Mission Board.