Serving in the Storms

dsmith484
Apr 17
3 min read

Recent storm damage at an Enn village in Myanmar

Just as there is a range of storms (cyclones, typhoons, tsunamis, etc.) that hit various parts of Asia at different seasons, so do Asian missionaries face a variety of "storms" as they serve to preach the Gospel, make disciples and plant churches among unreached people groups.

AIM missionaries serving among the Enn people.

Storms of opposition rise up when Harvest laborers present the Gospel or try to build connections with lost people. Some of our AIM (Antioch International Missions) friends have been threatened at gunpoint. When the Holy Spirit works and sinners respond to the Gospel in repentance and trusting in Christ alone, intimidating waves of opposition rise up. Among two tribal groups (the Enn and the Palaung) in Myanmar, new believers faced harsh opposition by being kicked out of their homes and villages by their own family and friends. Their tiny grass huts held all that they owned, but when they chose Christ, they lost all of their earthly possessions!

AIM leaders helping new Enn believers relocate and establish a new village.

AIM leaders have learned to anticipate these "storms" and with the help from churches, they've purchased modest plots of land to build new huts and plant small fields of crops. These new villages provide safety for the new believers and a great pathway for the missionaries to disciple the believers and plant churches. Villages for new believers have now been established for both the Enn and Palaung people groups.

Seed and basic farming equipment were given to Enn believers to plant fields in their new village.

While these new villages have provided a haven for these new believers to grow in Christ, it doesn't mean that they are free from both physical and spiritual storms. Just last week the new Enn village was hit by a severe storm that destroyed many of the believers' huts/houses.

Recent storm damage to the Enn village.

But in accordance with His grace, God gave spiritual fruit in the middle of the tragedy. Three young men who were new believers, decided during this trial to make public professions of their faith and to follow Christ in believer's baptism. Paul and James wrote that God allows believers to endure all kinds of trials and affliction for our good and for His glory (2 Cor. 4:16-18; James 1:2-3). It's exciting to see these new believers affirm their desire and commitment to following Christ.

Baptism of three new Enn believers after the recent storm.

AIM leaders are in the process of helping the Enn believers rebuild their houses to meet their basic needs. They want to build new houses that are stronger and able to endure future storms. Below left is a picture of the previous houses that were built with only bush materials. Below right is a house that combines bush materials with cement and metal roofing to make the houses sturdier. It costs about $800 to purchase the roofing, cement and other hardware to rebuild a house in the newer model. AIM leaders want to rebuild houses that are generally consistent with their context but stronger to help them to be able to withstand future storms.

Please Pray:

For the AIM missionaries and the Enn believers as they rebuild the damaged houses.
God will use this past storm to unite the believers and help them grow in Christ.
For open doors for Enn believers to share the Gospel with other Enn villages.

Give to Help Enn Believers Rebuild Their Homes

Medical "Storms"

All of your prayers, phone calls, notes of encouragement and generous gifts have reminded us of God's love and faithfulness through Dave's recent medical "storms." We praise the Lord for His provision of all the finances needed to cover all of Dave's current medical bills. We're in awe of God's faithfulness and goodness to us! We're continuing to trust the Lord and move forward one day at a time towards Asia. Please continue to pray with us for the following:

Dave's upcoming CT scan and tests, and for healing from cancer.
Wisdom for Shawn as she continues to write preschool curriculum for missionaries in Asia to use in starting preschools in remote villages as a tool to evangelize unreached peoples.
God's wisdom and leading regarding upcoming ministry trips to Asia.
Pray that we will wait on the Lord and grow spiritually during the storms in our lives.
Pray for open doors to proclaim the Gospel and build up brothers and sisters in Christ.

Storms are never pleasant, but they remind us that even the fiercest winds obey our sovereign Lord, and that He is always with us molding us to become more like Him.

Praise the Lord with us,

Dave & Shawn

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