I have finally found time to type up a summary of what each of them said, and it is awesome stuff! It would have been too much for us to have everything they said translated into English, so Timothy waited until the end of their testimonies and summarized what they said for Jim Winter and me. Most of their testimonies confirmed for us the great value this ministry has in Burma. Others had unusual and sometimes shocking stories of things that have happened where they live or minister.
I'll give you a couple of samples, but I won't mention the students' names. Just read them over and let them have whatever impact they may have on your heart.
Student #1
Her parents are Christians, but they
forced all of their children to become Christians too.
Their area has not heard the Gospel. The area is thoroughly Buddhist and very
critical of Christians.
She was ashamed to become a Christian, but she was afraid of
her parents so she got baptized.
She learned later that God is an amazing God and she learned
to love Him.
Timothy influenced her to come to the BFD school.
Here she understands God is calling her into this
ministry. She was encouraged by the
lesson on Abraham here.She knows now why God is calling her.
Student #2
He grew up in a Christian family and became a Christian at 14
years old, but he did not really understand what he was doing. He made a full commitment to Jesus Christ many
years later when he went to Bible Seminary and became closer to God.
He serves in a remote area where there is no medical
assistance available.
His father and two brothers died from gastric problems (like
ulcers) that are easily treatable. He
was very sad that he could not help them.
In 2009 he applied for the BFD program but he did not get
accepted until this year.
He is SO HAPPY! God
is good!
Student #3
He grew up in a Christian family, and he became a Christian at
13 years old.
He lives in a Refugee Camp because of the civil war in
northern Burma. His village was burned down, so now he lives near Myitkyina along with 69 other families. They have no jobs and no medical help!
Other NGOs support them sometimes, but they are very crowded
in the camp and all the sicknesses pass along from family to family.
He met a BFD from the class of 2006 and saw what a
difference a BFD could make. The BFD
suggested he come to the school, and he was glad to be selected.
Student #4
He takes 10-day trips to do ministry in a remote area. When they go, they have to carry everything
they need in order to stay there 20 days.
In that ministry location, he teaches basic education (ABCs)
and a little bit about health from a Red Cross course he took 5 years ago.
** One time they tried to give the Buddhist villagers worm medicine
because they were full of worms. They
refused the medicine because the Buddhist monk told them the worms help keep
them warm! He said when the worms
breathe the hot air helps keep their bodies warm!
It is so cold there that the people live on the ice in some
kind of an ice building. The people there are very dirty because they only take
a bath once a year. Their animals live
inside with them. They don’t know about
hygiene. When you eat there, flies are
all around your drinking cup and dishes.
They go to that area every year to teach the people about
Jesus. The old people welcome them and
the change they will make for their children, but the old people will not leave
Buddhism.
They really need a BFD there. The villagers’ health is so poor that they
are skin and bone. You see this when they take off their coats, which they
rarely do.
When he graduates he wants to go there and stay there. It is near Tibet.
Are you as moved as I was? I sat there amazed the entire afternoon.
Jon
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