B.A.S.I.C. NEWSLETTER #157
B.A.S.I.C. NEWSLETTER #157 I Cor.. 16:9 ‘For a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.’ November 30, 2009 Mark Bohde and I had the pleasure in November of visiting brothers and sisters in the faith in Myanmar. After Mark Bohde finished up his visit to Thailand which involved exploring how to return to work there and what the work would involve, he came to Yangon. I came over from India and we proceeded to Kalay. A three day seminar on a wide variety of Scripture material was held. All 56 congregations had at least one representative present among the 66 registered participants. We also had the joy of preaching five straight nights to encourage the people in their faith. Myanmar is under military rule with its at times very oppressive aspects. We as foreigners would have to get special permission to go into Chin State where nearly all congregations are, and it is doubtful we could get permission. The oppressiveness upon the Chin is far worse. Christians in Myanmar have to be so careful to carry on their religion. Churches are closed easily by the government. Some tribes in Myanmar face far worse persecution than others. Despite the difficulties, and remembering that it is through many tribulations we enter the kingdom, our brothers are working to increase the faith of members through the Word and reaching out to those outside the faith. Two new evangelists have been appointed. One is to assist the pastors who each serve 6-8 congregations. The other is going to Burmese army military camps and witnessing to contacts. We had meetings in which we considered how the CLC could help in:translation and printing of materials in Chin, obtaining Chin and Burmese Bibles and portions, locating land that could serve as a headquarters of the church, and several other matters. Myanmar is divided up into seven states where the majority of the tribes live and seven divisions where a majority of the Burmese live. While the tribes have been being reached for hundreds of years, the Burmese are not so evangelized. Pray that our brothers can continue, as they have stated and shown, to reach out to the Burmese. Pastor Thang is president and Pastor Kham is secretary. They have an executive committee of eighteen consisting of pastors and elders that govern the church. Pray for God’s continued blessings in the face of the devil’s opposition. Joy in Heaven In India the mission work has been traditionally among the lower castes, out-castes and tribal people. It is not simple or easy to reach the higher castes, although of course Christ died once for all. It is with joy in our hearts when we see God’s Spirit penetrate the caste. Recently, the long arduous work of reaching just one sinner and then through that repented sinner others began to pay its spiritual dividends for Pastor D. Paul Bakthavachalam of the BELC, India. He recently wrote: When Dhanacheyalu was to be baptized he took all pictures of Hindu gods out of his house. He even wanted to dig up the corner of his house where some Hindu statues were buried when the house was dedicated. The Reddy Caste is part of the Brahman highest caste structure. Now here is something very specific to pray about. Notice that it takes time to reach these people. Pray that men like Pastor D. Paul continue to spend the time that is necessary and exercise the patience that is needed in facing such long term resistance. Other members of the family want to be baptized. Pray that this family becomes integrated into the congregation at Koppedu and extends it’s joy to other members of the family. BIBLE RHYMES AND REASONS In GENESIS the world was made by God’s creative hand, MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE AND JOHN – the holy Gospels wrote – Pastor Koenig |