Our Time with the Khongs
Typically when one or both of us go to Myanmar, we participate in the Summer Leadership Seminars (SLS). During this time teachers from abroad arrive in Yangon to teach classes on various subjects like leadership development, youth ministry, children's ministry, women's ministry, church growth and other subjects. It's a very busy time of the year for SLS hosts James and Marta Khong. Often there's not much free time to spend with them because of their leadership roles and other responsibilities related to the SLS. This year, however, we purposely arrived after the conclusion of the seminars. The result was incredible. We spent most of our time with them - listening, talking, learning.
Every morning James and Marta would pick us up in their truck and bring us over to Tamwe Christian Center. James and Phillip would sit in the truck's cab while Marta and Kim sat in the back of the truck. It was a great start to each day. This one-on-one personal time was invaluable. Phil would spend it asking James any question he wanted to. No subject was off limits. Meanwhile, Kim and Marta were doing pretty much the same. During the day, if we had to run any errands with James and Marta, this one-on-one time continued. At the end of the day James and Marta would drop us off - you guessed it - more of the same. In the USA, the "morning drive" or the "afternoon drive" typically refers to radio programming during the rush hour drive times. But our drive times with the Khongs provided some of the best opportunities for private conversations with each of them.
Phil and James discussed everything from his strategy for missions in Myanmar to his thesis paper on "logos" in Burma to self-supporting business ministries to the centrality of ESGS (Eastern Seminary of Graduate Studies) to MVM's success, to our future role with him, Marta and MVM. Phil asked him some difficult questions and he answered every one of them in detail.
During our time with the Khongs and the people they serve, we heard many stories of God's power and might through miraculous works and direct intervention. It was apparent to us that God is deeply at work in Myanmar. He is working through MVM to break strongholds, cast out demons, bring His light to dark places, bring spiritual deliverance to people in great bondage, and empower believers to be faithful followers of Jesus Christ. These stories, often told to us by eyewitnesses, were so encouraging to us.
On our only Sunday there at Tamwe Christian Center, both of us gave a message to the church. James translated for Phillip and Mary translated for Kimberley. We taught from the Scriptures and gave messages of encouragement that God had directed us to give. It was awesome.
We also spent a lot of time with Mary, the oldest daughter of James and Marta. Previously working with YWAM (Youth With a Mission) she now works with MVM as a key assistant to her parents, especially in their absence should any decisions need to be made while they are out of town. It was encouraging to see how she has matured in her faith.
Melody (youngest daughter) and Ahpong were at Tamwe too and have grown so much. We brought them gifts and enjoyed their smiles and "Thank You's".