Heaven's Family Magazine
September 2012 Issue

280 Years

The Village Development Fund at Work in Myanmar

David Servant

villag-woman-faucet

A happy resident of Van Hniam village, enjoying new running water

280 years. That is how long the residents of Van Hniam village, deep in the mountains of rural Myanmar, lived without running water. Villagers had to hike 3 miles round trip to fetch the water that has always sustained them. But now, thanks to gifts to Heaven’s Family’s Mutual Fund and Village Development Fund, they enjoy the blessings of running water in their village, accessible from 18 outdoor water faucets, that flows from a large, concrete reservoir high in the mountains.

Accessible water will result in prosperity, as the villagers are now able to grow more cash crops. For that reason, the $3,500 that was required for the water project was offered to Van Hniam village, not as a grant, but as a loan. All the math proves they will have no trouble paying off their loan in 16 months, and they’ll be gratified, knowing that this project was accomplished because of their own hard work. Once our money is returned, we’ll be able to provide a loan for a similar project in another village.

village-montage

At left: the new concrete reservoir before it was filled with water. At right: a view from the edge of the mountain reservoir looking down at Van Hniam, which is fed by the blue water pipe in the foreground. They have great water pressure in the village!

According to information passed down from the villager’s ancestors, Van Hniam village was established in 1730. Those ancestors named their village Van Hniam, which means “low heaven,” in thanks to their pagan gods after a tribal war victory. Christian missionaries from India arrived in 1936, and the entire village converted to Christ upon hearing the gospel for the first time.

village-slash-and-burn

Van Hniam villagers survive through slash and burn agriculture. Running water will make a significant difference in the quality of their lives.

I’m looking forward to visiting them later this year to preach the gospel again in their single church, and to drink some pure, mountain water from a village faucet!

THE BIGGER PICTURE:

In November, I’ll be spending several days traveling remote paths in Chin State, Myanmar, to visit villages that Heaven’s Family has helped and is considering helping with similar water and irrigation projects. It is so interesting to visit primitive villages that have no access to the outside world, yet that are full of genuine believers. And I love telling them that they have a world-wide family that loves them and that is happy to help them better their lives. — David

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