heading

"My Myanmar Experience"
Reflection by Pastor Edwin Hernandez, Myanmar Trip 5-7 July 2008

One of the realities of the pastoral calling is the tendency to slip away into passivity. After countless preaching, counseling people and ministry meetings, what a pastor does soon tends to be routine. It takes a trip such as the one I had for God to renew one’s passion to serve the Lord.

The trip to Yangon almost did not take off. With the change in visa regulations, getting into Myanmar was already a challenge. At the last minute, the visa was released. Pastor Butch and myself had to pack our bags and leave the next day. The trip did not almost ‘take off’, literally speaking. Our plane was ready to take off but after taking so long at the tarmac, we soon found ourselves going back to the terminal gate to change plane due to ‘technical problems’. God was beginning to create the drama of my unforgettable experience.

So we arrived at the newly constructed Yangon Airport four hours late. Pastor Philip Thang and his wife and some of the teachers in the WIN Kids Home were all smiles to greet us, notwithstanding the wait they had to endure. I was to discover that in this place, people become more important than time.

‘GOD IS GOOD.’ In bold and colorful print, the decal on our rented car greeted us on our way to the Word Bible Seminary the next morning. It was a fitting phrase to what I was to witness that whole day. First stop on our way to the Sunday service is the future site of the WBS school building. Pastor Philip stood like a Joshua pointing us to the ‘promised land’. What we see is an empty lot but he can see the reality of things to come. He knows his prayers for a permanent place for the seminary will be answered soon.




Second stop, we arrived at the chapel of WBS. Again, warm smiles greeted us. The whole church composed of the seminary students, family and children in a nearby orphanage, was already waiting for our arrival. Waiting seems to be their way of expressing their excitement and gratitude for our visit. Pastor Butch encouraged the church to press on in spite of the recent calamities and challenges. The goal he said remains the same – ‘to partner so that many more would come to know Jesus as Lord.’ I was given the privilege to preach. God’s word challenged all of us to ‘see God’s hand in every situation of our lives.’ This will in turn create an attitude of gratitude and surrender, the hallmark of a true follower of Christ.


Third stop, the WIN Kids Home. Yes, you guessed correctly…the beautiful smiles of children and teachers in red shirt lined our path into the orphanage home. I can feel their excitement. It was my first time to see them. Pastor Butch told me that they have grown a lot since his last visit two years ago. The children and teachers wasted no time to show us the presentations they have prepared. I now look back and thought to myself, ‘if we were not able to get the visa, then all their preparations would have to wait.’ The teachers assured we would make it to Myanmar because the children were praying for us. It’s humbling to know that children from another country, whom I still haven’t seen, would intercede fervently for us. We brought along a big bagful of toys. Never did I see children appreciate toys that seemed so common in the place where we came from. The cyclone Nargis almost destroyed the WINK Home but never did it affect their spirits. We observed that they have already fixed the home and are even making preparations for expanding the place since the kids were growing up. Thanks to the generosity of brethren around the world, these children felt the overflowing love of God. This encounter with the kids reminded me of how generosity can make a difference not only in the present but forward into the future. I know many from them would grow up remembering these encounters and in the future do the same for others in the name of our Lord. After a hearty lunch, we said our goodbyes and off we went to our last stop.



Last stop, ‘Ramon’s church’. I thought to myself why name a church like that. Well, it has an interesting history. During the Asian Summit last year, Pastor Mon Alingalan, Pastor in charge of the afternoon congregation of WIN Singapore, told Pastor Philip that he will support two pastors in their studies and ministry. We were amazed as we arrived in this humble chapel to see Pastor Zan Win and his family. He planted this church just a few months ago and constructed a meeting place for the young church. You would even be amazed of how an insignificant amount in Singapore would be able to support a family, church and ministry. How much? You have to ask Pastor Ramon.

The ministry in Myanmar is expanding thanks be to God and to his faithful servant Pastor Philip Thang and the rest of the workers. This experience once again taught me that each one could impact his or her surrounding for the God’s glory. A united effort of prayers and support can raise up a church and encourage the workers to serve as salt and light in their community. In the midst of calamity, God’s love shines bright, the hope he gives unwavering.

 

For previous articles click this link

HOME | ABOUT US | PRAYER | EVENTS | LINKS
WORD INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES - 2008