“I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest” (John 4:35).

1. The wings of the Lord

As I was looking down the green landscapes of Yangon through the airplane’s window, many thoughts passed through my mind. This past summer was full of events for me. I attended three different conferences and I did not have much energy left in my body by the end of August. However, here I am again by the wings of the Lord for another ministry—probably the most important one.

2. MUST

On the second day of my arrival to Myanmar, I was invited to MUST to speak the word of God to the students. There were less than 20 students this time, but in spite of heavy rain (it was the rainy season in Myanmar) more than 40 people gathered from nearby churches. I preached about the love of God and the spiritual blessings that comes through suffering. The school was remodeled after the cyclone. Pastor David’s family used to live with the students, but his family moved to a private house nearby so that the school could have more space. Including CMI, several friends had sent him funds that they enabled them to fix their basic facilities. As soon as they finished their remodeling, they went out to the neighbors and helped them. On Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, the students and the faculty members fed the homeless with food and distributed relief goods. They also went out and rebuilt almost 70 damaged houses with their own expanses. Students learned what compassion is and how to practice Christ’s love for the helpless. The poor neighbors were in despair, for no help ever arrived from the government or the Buddhist temples. Yet, these poor Christians’ sacrificial behaviors touched them. During the past several months, church attendance doubled and the church facilities became too small. Latecomers were not able to enter the sanctuary and they had to stand in the hall way for worship service. From among the Buddhist converts, five of them were baptized last month. I realized that the Lord blessed His church in the midst of a national disaster. I was so thankful for the students’ effort and labor of love that I treated them to lunch that consisted of pork, beef and chicken which are rare for them to eat. On the day of my departure, I was given another chance to speak to them. And I preached about God’s vision and prayed for them that they would raise 1,000 pastors and excellent Bible teachers and 100 missionaries through MUST.

3. Intensive Bible Study

One of the main purposes of this trip was to study “Seven Steps to Christianity” with Pastor David. From a year ago, he has been visiting university campuses and has taught the Bible to several students. He even registered as a student at Dagon University so that he could visit them with no restriction from campus security. However, without any experience for campus mission and without proper Bible study materials, his campus ministry reached a limit. So, I decided to have intensive Bible study with him one on one. As I sent him the preparation materials, however, the other faculty members also asked me for a permission to join us. Finally seven people—4 faculty members and 3 student leaders—came to the Bible study at the hotel. The seminar started at 8:30 in the morning and ended by dinnertime for three consecutive days. Each lesson would have about 90 minutes of group study, then writing testimony for an hour, then sharing them together for half an hour. This way, we had three lessons everyday. Except the short lunch break, it has was an intense seminar. However, their enthusiasm and sincere attitude made this seminar possible. Two of the faculty members were doctorial degree possessors in theology. Yet, they received God’s word with humility and joy like little children. Everyone confessed that they never tasted such a sweet and powerful word of God before. Pastor David confessed that this “Seven Steps” would become a landmark in his Christian life. Even though the seminar was intense and hard physically, at the end their faces were shining like the sun with joy and hope. I realized that the Lord comforted them and healed their wounded hearts through this seminar. During the testimony sharing time, most of them repented that they were not thankful for God’s basic grace and love through Jesus Christ. They only counted what they did not have like Eve in the Garden and fell into darkness and fatalism. Of course, they have been suffering because of ruthless dictators and economic depression. But now they realized that what God has given them are far greater than what they do not have, and that they should be thankful in all circumstances. Also, they realized that suffering is not shame but another blessing of God. They realized that God refines His children and His church through hardship and that suffering brings perseverance, perseverance, character, and character, hope. I realized that the word of God is a far greater gift than a small relief money to them. I encouraged them to write and publish manuscripts of the “Seven Steps” in their own language. I pray that this small piece of God’s word may become a part of their ministry. They asked me to come again as soon as possible with another Bible seminar like this one.

4. Unforgettable Concert

Due to the economic and social distraction, Myanmar produces a startling number of orphans each year. And many Christian churches and ministers take care of them with just little support from the outside. I was able to visit two of the orphanage houses with some gifts. At the first orphanage house which I had visited last year, I was greeted by a familiar face of 5 years old boy. He was the one who was suffering with an egg-sized lump on his neck when I visited last year. Upon their request, I laid my hands on him and prayed. Then the next day I had to leave them. They told me that after my departure, this boy got better and that the lump disappeared completely in three days. Hallelujah! Upon hearing the news that I was visiting them again, this boy, out of thanks, prepared a special song for me. In a few days, he learned a couple of guitar cords and played a beautiful song in front of me! I was overwhelmed by this unexpected gift. It was the best concert ever I attended. It will be an unforgettable concert until the end of my life. After my sermon, they brought another boy to me who was suffering with a high fever. Then a couple of women who were suffering from high blood pressure and even from cancer. This time I prayed for them with a little more confidence.

Pastor David also led me to a newly planted church. This church was planted only two months ago with the victims of the cyclone. The members were mostly newly converted people from Buddhism. They were touched by the message of love by many Christians during the cyclone and were converted to Christianity. The church was located in a slum area and looked as humble as the manger. The church building was made of straws and bamboo sticks and leaves and the inside was big enough only for 20 people. But they received God’s word with eagerness and joy. I prayed for them that this church would grow like a mustard seed and many restless birds in the air would find their rest in it. I also offered a little gift of money for this church.

During just a week-long mission trip, so many things have happened which are all glorious and beautiful. Even though my body was tired, my spirit was renewed and strengthened. I thought I was going there to give some help to them. But it was I who was helped by their faith and humility. I render all glory and praise to the Lord who has been with me from the beginning and will be with me to the end. I also give thanks and credit to the brothers and sisters in the Lord who supported me both in prayer and in monetary support. Please, pray that the season of Christ may advent this dark continent with the light of the gospel. As Jesus Christ said to His disciples, “Open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest,” may we also open our spiritual eyes and look at the harvest fields of the world. Amen.