October 16, 2008

• Myanmar

  I’m writing this entry from a small internet cafe in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.  I arrived here this evening after spending a few days in Yangon, Myanmar (both are their country’s capital cities).  Despite Slyvester Stallone’s warning to Christian missionaries in the last Rambo movie: “Burma (Myanmar) is a war zone, don’t go there,” I went ahead and took my chances.  I discovered that the people there are very friendly and that the government isn’t that oppressive towards religion.  Rather, the people, particularly those from the Burmese tribe (more than 12 different tribal people in Myanmar), the Buddhists, and the government dislike Western influence and so they try to keep that to a minimum.  I could see very clearly during my short stay that the people of Myanmar are under the grip of spirits of idolatry and poverty.  The people there cling to their Buddhist idols and even after receiving the Good News will return to their life of idolatry.  I was disappointed to visit a Children’s ministry in a Buddhist neighborhood where even in the hut that they hold children’s church there was a Buddhist idol next to a picture of Jesus.  Sad stuff.  In that small hut, half the size of my small apartment in my orphanage, live 20 people.  Some are stronger Christian then the others, and I think the weaker ones refuse to do away with their idols.  The people are also under the grips of a spirit of poverty that causes the people to be resistant to change and not believe they can do better (become educated, earn money, improve society, or even receive big answers to prayer from God).  I’ll post a short video clip of some of the buildings in Myanmar that were once beautiful but now are run down due to neglect.  Even the cars are all from the 1980′s.  The pastors I visited told me that in 1970 the city Yangon was the most advanced of the Southeast Asian cities.  I believe it.  It was beautiful, but now its run down.  The country needs Jesus bad, but because of the grip of the Enemy and also because of prejudices among the tribal peoples (most Christians in the country are from poorer tribes from the north), the Gospel is not moving.  I sensed in my spirit that the pastors in Myanmar shouldn’t be discouraged, but more than anything need to focus on prayer and wait for the power of the Holy Spirit to fall and break the grips the Enemy has on the nation.  I will post pictures and short video clips later after my trip, including of a small blessed orphanage I was able to visit where the kids and their director have no support and are truly living on faith.  You’ll be blessed by the video clip of the kids worshipping God. 

  These next few days I’ll be visiting different orphanages throughout Cambodia.  Next Monday I’ll be flying to Bangkok for a conference until the 24th when I return to Korea.  It amazes me how God blesses me with opportunities like this.  I’m learning and God is continuing to grow the vision He has given me.  So far my health has been good amidst all the travel; that is a big praise.  Tomorrow I leave at 6:30am to visit orphanages 5 hours outside the city.  Should be interesting.  God bless!

  • 10:40 am
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