Orphanage Update
written by Kimberley Barrera
During our visit this year, we were able to spend time at the orphanage on the outskirts of Yangon. Our timing was fortunate because we learned that prior to our arrival, the Myanmar government was suddenly requiring all orphanages to be inspected and registered before foreign visitors could be allowed. Our visit could not have occurred before this process was done.
We went to spend time with Marta’s sister, Ginzi, who runs the orphanage ministry and celebrate the birthday of Moshe, one of the children she has adopted. He is so adorable. I was asked to give a message to the audience that night so I gave a message of encouragement from Romans 8:28. I didn't realize at the time that we had over 20 new Christians from the Delta region there sitting on the edge of their seats waiting to hear what this foreigner had to say. After I was done I made sure to shake all their hands and say, "God bless you". My message was on staying strong and standing firm in times of trouble or persecution. That message was heavy on my heart. The enemy is using the tough times to draw as many Christians and new Christians away from God and His presence. I am praying for them to stay strong as they face so many things in their future.
From the orphanage we went to the home of Tint San, the pastor of the Church of Christ in the same village. They are working hard making improvements to the church to accommodate so many new Christians, including the Cyclone Nargis Christians who are moving in from the Delta region. So many are moving in to Yangon and the suburbs of Yangon because the government has confiscated over 100,000 acres of the Delta and won't let the people move back and rebuild their villages. We were concerned about the government's intentions from the very beginning. By not adequately helping the cyclone victims and by closing the land off to these same victims, the government, in effect, was guaranteeing many would perish or leave the area entirely. In addition, their inadequate response caused the waterways to be become extremely polluted with dead, rotting human bodies and animal carcasses left for days, weeks and even months. The government had no plan or help to give the villagers to clean up the bodies around them in the water as well as on land.
In the early videos we saw from international news crews that made it out to the Delta region, the military was dumping the bodies into the water instead of taking them away and disposing of the bodies. Soon the new screws were kicked out of the Myanmar and no aid organizations were allowed into the Delta region to help. You may remember that even United States Navy ships were waiting off the Delta region coast with huge supplies of fresh water. These ships were ready at a moment's notice to deliver clean water but it was never allowed in. The aid rejected by the Myanmar government could have supplied desalinization plants and drinking water for months to the people in need.
Things like this are unfathomable to us in the civilized world. Pray that these Christians stay strong and can evangelize to others and bring the Burmese to a saving relationship in Christ.
Pray for the military to stop persecuting their own people.