It is now 13 month since IGo-MTM commenced here in SE Asia. The first door of opportunity for a Bible conference was last year August in Thimphu, Bhutan. Since that time MTM has conducted 7 Bible conferences in 5 different countries. It was with great anticipation that MTM returned again to Thimphu for another Bible conference. The dates for the conference were September 21-25, 2009. This is the heart of MTM, to year after year, disciple the church leaders in the all things of Jesus Christ. What a great privilege was ours to renew acquaintances with the church leaders as well as develop new relationships.
MTM Ministry Team
L-R, Collier Berkshire (IGo staff), Merle Burkholder (IGo board chairman) & Raymond Burkholder
All the believers there in Bhutan are first generation Christians. Most all of them, including the church leaders, have not had the opportunity for discipleship and training. There is a sincere desire for the teaching and expounding of the Word of God. The believers there have a sincere desire to see their own people come to Jesus Christ. People are coming to Christ and the churches are growing. The believers are requesting that we pray for unity among the believers and that the government would take a favorable position and lessen the restrictions on the churches. Please do pray for the Bhutanese Christians. Thank you.
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God so graciously opened the door for another MTM Bible conference in Myanmar August 31 to September 4th. Matthew Landis from Ephrata, PA traveled to this side of the world to serve as the second teacher. Back in January MTM was in Myanmar but this conference was sponsored by a different coordinator and a total different group of church leaders. The conference started with about 45 leaders in attendance and peaked towards the end with about 80 in attendance. There were church leaders there from most all regions of Myanmar. Even some from the very northern state of Kachin. Our hearts thrilled to see church leaders come together for the conference from five different major denominations. How our hearts thrilled in their desire and willingness to hear the Word of God. In many ways we learn so much from them. Their openness to hear and receive truth they never heard before. Their passion to see their own people come to Jesus Christ. Their willingness to sacrifice for the sake of the Gospel. Their hunger for the Word of truth is any teacher or preachers absolute delight. Blessed be God !!!
So many blessings were ours on this ministry trip. We visited an orphanage where 30 dear children were living in three 10′x12′bamboo homes. Their well trained mannerism and singing just thrilled our hearts with only about a 10 watt dimming light bulb. There we also witnessed a baptism of about 13 new believers in the night with only one flashlight.
Our native coordinator married Saturday right after the conference was over. What a blessing was ours to have part in this very special couples wedding.
Please do pray for the Christians in Myanmar. They face many hardships and in some regions there is also persecution. To be sure their lives are not endangered I will not be posting a group photo. Our coordinator did give me the blessing to post his picture with his new bride.
Our Native Lisu Coordinator With His New Bride
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