Relationship Building

It has been a long week for Edie and me while we sat and listened to others teach. It was enjoyable but not as satisfying as having the opportunity to teach or preach ourselves. We did develop good relationships with others and worked hard to be satisfied with that. We are now in Kalay which is Northwest of Yangon, about 2 hours by plane. We are about 85 miles East of the Northeastern Indian border. Our host, Chhuana, is from this area of Myanmar and it is the headquarters of the Evangelical Free Church of Myanmar. The EFCM is not historically related to the EFCA but they rather randomly chose this name for their church ages ago. Now the EFCA, ReachGlobal, where we serve, partners with the EFCM in a number of ways. I am here to explore bringing Pathways to this region where the pastors really need to learn how to study the Bible. I will meet with the president of EFCM tomorrow and tomorrow night I will get to preach in a local church. Frankly this is something that I have really been missing lately so this is a great blessing to me. Our time here is short since we have to leave Monday evening in order to make connections to travel home. We had to squeeze in this time because shortly after returning to Colorado I must fly to Minneapolis for leadership meetings for a week. Please pray that our time here in Kaly is fruitful.

Al

Waiting Patiently

We have been here in Myanmar for a week now. It has been a blessing to meet and get to know the two men who are teaching the students here. One, a retired Free Church pastor from Hawaii, oversaw an amazing revival and transformation in the main Hawaii prison before becoming a pastor. The other, a missionary to Cambodia, has had an amazing ministry there with many churches now in an area that had none when he came. Both are godly and enjoyable to be around, and we share much in common. I have to admit it has been hard to sit around while others teach, not knowing exactly why we are here. I have had only one meeting with the principal of a bible school here to talk about Pathways. Otherwise I have had nothing to do. 

Saturday, we travel north to Kale and I will have opportunity to talk with the president of the EFC of Myanmar, who I am told is very interested in discussing Pathways. We will see. As for now we are having to learn, once again, to wait patiently on the Lord, trusting that He alone knows His plans for us. 

Al