Burma 07 Ministry Photo Album

Bible Presbyterian Church of Myanmar Ministry Photo Journal 2007

These are the three areas of the country the BPC of Myanmar is currently reaching with the gospel of Jesus Christ!

In January, Dr. Kevin Backus traveled to Myanmar on behalf of PMU to train the church in government and prepare the elders and potential ministers for the training regimen to come. They are eager! Below: worship in the village on Inle Lake.

We rejoice that the Bible Presbyterian Church of Perth, Western Australia, pastored by PMU missionary, Dr. Ed Paauwe, has taken the Myanmar mission to heart. Last February a ministry team from the church came to Yangon to teach and encourage the brethren there. Left to right: Kima, Siama, Mawite, Leah & Ed Paauwe, Florence & Jimmy Orchard. Brother Orchard is a member of the Session of the Perth church.

Every April or May, the church holds a “summer camp” in the country. It is a time for preaching and training and evangelism. About 70 attended this year! This year’s camp will be held in May.

The children gather, above, for a time of worship. Below, several professed faith in Christ, and were baptized by pouring in a local creek.

The work in the center of the country is on and around beautiful Inle Lake, among the Intha people. Going by boat is usually necessary.

Rev. Kima oversees the work of a lay evangelist, Pa Zar, in reaching out to the Intha on the lake. Above, Pa Zar demonstrates proper foot rowing technique on the new dugout purchased with funds from the Grand Island, NY, BPC. Left, Pa Zar and his family. Pa

Zar is training for ordination as a minister. Intha villages are built on stilts in the middle of the shallow lake, and their whole lives are carried out there fishing and farming floating gardens, then trading for what else they need. It is difficult for outsiders to get into the villages.

“Mingala” means “blessed” in the Mizo dialect, and these orphan children are indeed blessed with loving care and gospel witness on a daily basis. The Mingala Children’s Home has two locations. One is in Yangon, and the other is

in the Shan State, near Inle Lake (Aungthapyi). The dedicated staff of young ladies works hard to ensure these precious young people know of the love of Jesus.

2007 has seen a number of children born into the congregation. Here, prayer is given before baptism. Below left: Mrs. Mawite Kima with their newborn daughter, born in September. Below right: Big brother Lal Nun Siama (Nathan Andrew) is pretty proud of his baby sister, whose name is Jenny Lal Hruai Tluangi! Jenny’s name means “God’s guidance is wonderful.” Nathan’s name means "The LORD is creator of Life."

What Next? Rev. Kima’s heart burns to reach his people. The Lord has blessed that desire beyond imagination already, and continues to do so. Here are some of the goals for the coming year to accomplish that vision: 1. Pastoral Visitation to each of the family on a regular basis 2. Gave follow-up training the believers at Namhu 3. Build BPC missions into particular churches at Aungthapyi, Namhu and Inlay 4. Help believers at Thinglei village, who want to start BP church in this year. 5. Help establish seven churches in the northern Chin State that have just affiliated with the BPCM. 6. Summer Camp to be held in May 2008. 7. Translate Westminster Confession of Faith and other constitutional documents into Burmese and Mizo so that ministerial training can continue. The Shorter Catechism is already done! 8. Planning to have two services on the Lord's Day - Burmese service and Mizo service. 9. Train the key leaders to be ordained as elders and pastors as soon as possible (PMU is helping with this in sending teachers and providing support). 10.PMU training assistance this fall. 11.Run a theological training school for equipping the future BPC leader and missionaries (long-term goal). The Kimas’ support is in very good condition, especially considering that he has never been able to visit the US to come to the churches! The Lord has been good. More supporters are needed, though, to help sustain the work until it is completely self-supporting. Thanks for your prayers and gifts to that end.