"Going into the World"

I had 3 goals in going back to Yangon this time.  First was to fulfill a promise I've made to Kap that I will be there for his wedding.  Second, was to see what God is doing in the lives of our church leaders and to hear for my self where they are in their walk with God.  The Third goal was to have some sort of a break from the hectic Houston lifestyle. 

Let me start with the Third one, I did not get the rest and the break I needed.  I had one meeting after the other.  I did not realize that there were 4 groups of people I needed to meet.  One was of course our Every Nation Church Staff, leaders and members.  Then I had friends from the local community and from the business community.  Then Sandra's (my wife) friends who wanted to see me and get their little gift and personal greetings.  The last was Chloe's (my daughter) sets of friends.  So, add all of this on a 6 days, the result was great for relationships but not good for my own personal goal for the trip.  Lessons Learned:  Bring my family next time so they can take care of their own friends and stay a little longer.

Let me go back and share my first goal:  Kap's wedding for me was a great testimony of God's faithfulness in Kap's life. I remember when Kap first shared how he wanted to get married but that he is going through some cross cultural challenges.  At that point he knew without a shadow of a doubt that Seng Htoi (pronounced Send Twe) is going to be his wife, so his first reaction was to go a head forget about the cultural difference anyway they are both adults.  I was not hot about that idea and told him to go through it with the blessings of the parents to which the whole cultural difference was a big thing.  Well, one of the comment I heard from Rissa Llanto (our faithful friend, partner in the ministry and a woman of God still single) was "Kap is really favored by God".  The whole time I was there was just seeing the favor of God in the life of Kap who has followed God and obeyed Him.  It was indeed a great testimony of God's faithfulness.  He was Glorified all through out the wedding.

The Second and my last goal! This is my first visit after we left last May 2007.   I am just amazed at how well the church has grown.   The leaders are growing in their walk with God.  The growth numerically is just a testimony of how God's continued protection and grace over our church in Yangon.  The high light was the Baptism on the Sunday (March 2nd).  I had the privilege of baptizing 16 new believers.  This was one of the best blessing that I have had on this trip.  The leaders are just great they have welcomed me and has extended great hospitality.  Kap, Mang, Rissa, Ana and Irma are doing such a great job in our church in ENCY (Every Nation Church Yangon). 

The whole visit was just six days.  It was too short but it is all that I needed to see what God is doing in the lives of our leaders.  They are all doing just fine.  They are loving God and making Him known to others.  The church is advancing in the city of Yangon and it will not stop, it will continue to grow until Jesus comes back...

I just came home inspired after a date with my beautiful wife.  I just realize that tonight while I was enjoying my dinner with Sandra, the reality hit me, I am now living in Houston, Texas.  This is after six months of living here.  I have been so busy with the move here, the work at the church, the adjustment from Myanmar to the USA and not to mention the cultural adjustment is also taking its tool on me.  Although, I have had times when I take my wife out, but tonight was just different.  Thank you Lord for giving me this night.  If you happen to be in Houston visit "Sambuca Restaurant" it is worth it.