A Monk's New Master [June 2011 eMagazine]

Don’t miss my article titled, An Xiang’s New Ride

Everyone thought he was a fool. He had just sold all that he owned so he could purchase an ordinary field, and he paid much more than it was worth.

The "fool," however, had inside information. He knew the field was much more valuable than anyone dreamed. Ancient treasure was buried there, and he alone possessed that knowledge. From his perspective it was a “no-brainer” investment. His ultimate profit was guaranteed (see Matt. 13:34).

Perhaps it was Jesus’ Parable of the Treasure in the Field that martyred missionary Jim Elliot had in mind when he wrote, “He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” Those who are making sacrifices now to lay up treasures in heaven may seem like fools to some, but they will one day be vindicated as the world’s wisest. Glad you are among them! — David

A Monk's New Master

Duang Tawjan, former Buddhist monk

I hate my parents! The bitter words seethed deep within the heart of Duang Tawjan. How could they choose to leave Buddhism, the faith of our people, for a foreign religion?

Although a teenager, Duang had already become a devoted Buddhist monk. When his parents told him that they had converted to Christianity, he felt that he had no choice but to disown them. It wasn't easy, however, especially in light of their efforts to maintain their relationship with him. And they were different people after their conversion. Their changed lives further fueled Duang's doubts about Buddhism, which were already being fed by the hypocrisy he witnessed at the monastery where he lived. Read more...

An Xiang's New Ride

An Xiang takes his first ride in his new wheelchair

It was impossible to look at An Xiang (pronounced awn-shy-awng) without feeling pity for him. He was lying on a crude wooden bed in the corner of the room, his arms and legs contorted and atrophied. We had just hiked into his remote village in China's Yunnan Province, up miles of narrow mountain paths, arriving in the darkness. Xiang's room was illuminated by a cooking fire beside his bed, over which a blackened tea pot was suspended. Smoke filled the room. Although Xiang had limited ability to control his arms, legs and facial expressions, he smiled as he looked at us, his unexpected visitors. Read more...

A Win-Win Situation

Win Win Myat

Peter Cung is a Heaven's Family-sponsored national missionary. He knows that God has called him to serve his own people in Myanmar. So every day, he ministers to the poor and preaches the gospel, and he often sees people repent and make Jesus their Lord. He knows from experience that not everyone responds to God's invitation the first time, so he is patient.

Peter had no idea, however, that a little 60-year-old woman would test his patience 30 times. That little woman is a widow named Win Win Myat. Read more...

Saved Again

Van Lal Sawma with his mother. Although still healing, Van thanks God for sparing his life.

Unless the doctors perform head surgery, he has only a 15% chance to live.

That bleak prognosis, sent to me by Heaven's Family national missionary Khamh Thang, chilled my soul. I prayed right then for Van Lal Sawma, a 23-year-old I had never met, but whose desperate situation now gripped my heart.

I also learned from Khamh that Van was a recent graduate from his missionary training center in Shan State, Myanmar. It was as Van was riding his motorcycle to Kham's training center that his motorcycle hit a slick spot on the road and he lost control, crashing into a cement wall. He had just begun his work as a missionary. Read more...

Love Boat

Wherever our "love boat" stopped to deliver rice, we were always met by curious children

Six months ago, Cyclone Giri swept across the western coast of Myanmar with 155-mph winds, claiming several thousand lives. Now, as our weathered 40-foot cargo boat chugged slowly up the Laymyo River, I was witnessing the cyclone's devastation with my own eyes. Hills, once blanketed with lush tropical vegetation, were scoured clean except for a few battered, solitary trees. The skeletal frames of former homes stood as silent reminders of the storm's raging fury. Read more...

Parting Shot

Chin tribal women in Myanmar often tattoo their faces with various patterns to make themselves more attractive. This Chin woman’s unique choice of earrings caught the attention of Jeff Trotter’s camera when he was recently in Myanmar.