Burma is like no other nation. Where else can you find a vintage 1961 Vauxhall Velox alongside early 1960's Mazda utes in daily use? The people are poor but wonderful to be among. It was such a privilege to return pretty well a year to the day since we were there last.
Sue and I were based in Yangon for the nine days under the care of Pastor Nung. Nung and I did a quick side-trip up to Mandalay for a couple of days seminar teaching also - overnight buses each way. It was a full-on time that we thoroughly enjoyed - 20 meetings all up and getting to pray for many fine folk. Mostly we did Holy Spirit themes as the church of Myanmar has been taught to death by doctrine - but are so hungry and receptive to the presence and flow of the Spirit of God.
Pastor Nung with a lovely young guy in Mandalay. This boy had been discarded by his family and approached Pastor Joshua (where we were in Mandalay) and asked him please if he would care for him - that he would do whatever was asked of him. He is thriving in an atmosphere of love! Pastor Joshua also introduced me to a lovely young Muslim boy who loved coming to church. Dad was so angry that he shaved the boy's head to shame him. Pastor Joshua bought him a cap! He's in church every opportunity!
Yangon accommodation for the millions is mostly in these Soviet-inspired apartment blocks that are as uninspiring as they are ugly. The basic layout is a living area, a bedroom, kitchen area and tiny washroom and toilet. It is extremely difficult to get permission to build churches in Burma, so congregations mostly meet in an apartment. Thirty or so people can cram in - but the trick is not to annoy your neighbours. One complaint and goodbye church location. Pastor Nung has his congregation on the eighth (top) floor - the higher you climb, the less neighbours to upset and the cheaper the rent!
Waiting for the 8pm bus to Mandalay, Burma's second to largest city. Note the wonderful makeup on the lady seller - it resembles a mud-pack that has not been washed off. I understand it is a combination of mosquito repellant and beauty enhancer, worn proudly every day by pretty well all women and a few guys too.
This guy has eaten one bad apple too many ....
Mandalay - we had 30 or so people gather for two days, tho' that number sure grew when Nung and I started to pray and minister to people ...
Tiki-tour around Yangon on a train (top) and designer top hats heading to market.
Pastor Sompee and his family at a church on the outskirts of Yangon. He is a magnificent man, just 29 years old, who has managed to build a great little church facility - as a preschool. He has just completed a state-required preschool course. This is the guy who we first met last year, who a few months before that had been beaten and left for dead by local youths who had been set up by men higher up the food-chain.
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