Pebbles and Stones: Myanmar

During the three weeks in Myanmar, Laos and Thailand, nearly 500 leaders and pastors attended the Pebbles and Stones training. They represented over 300 churches and para church organizations.

Using the 17 Stories from One Hope (based on the Pebbles and Stones teaching model), 63,000 story cards were distributed in these three countries during 2017. I am thankful for Sheryl Luth from India who traveled with me.

I thank God for the outpouring of His Spirit during each meeting. Seminary students encountered the ministry of the Holy Spirit and responded with tears and by prostrating themselves before the Lord. Children as young as four years old sobbed as the Holy Spirit ministered to their hearts and revealed the Father's love.

Comments From Myanmar Attendees:

"This is the training that changes my heart attitude for children. I just learn the spiritual value of children in my ministry. I cry so much during the training because I can hear God's voice that I never heard before." Sayama Khin San win

"This training really touches my heart. And, our church will do the ministry." Saya Lay Lo

"This is the first time I am learning about hearing God's voice. It is very spiritual lesson I never got from my church. I am so encouraged to help children listening to God." Sayama Tan Tan

"I like to have more training so that I can train so many others for helping children to have deeper relationship with Jesus." Sayama Thazin

Mandalay Training for 123 Participants on August 26-27, 2017

A young participant at our Mandalay Training

Mandalay is known as the heart of Buddhism and the historical capital city for Burmese people. The last Burmese King, Thi Baw, was dethroned and exiled from Mandalay to India by the British in 1885. The largest and greatest palace in Mandalay is a historical evidence for the glory of Buddhism and Burmese civilization in Myanmar. The Mandalay region is the second most populated region in Myanmar which has about 7 millions population. It is also a political and religious center for Burmese Buddhists. Since the city is located at the center of the country, it is the hub for commercial business that connects China to India and Thailand. In fact, Mandalay is very strategic city in Myanmar.

Historically, Mandalay is the most difficult region for Christian mission work till today. Even now, the Christians are less than 1% of the population. Churches cannot grow because of so many retractions and oppressions for minority Christians. Many churches are doing underground ministry among urban poor and low class population. The total existing churches are less than 100 local churches.

In the midst of many challenges, we have a hope in God for reaching every child in this region. So, we partner with Mandalay Christian Mission Council that has the largest Christian networking among evangelical churches. We have partnership for distributing One Hope books in the region. By God's grace, we were able to facilitate the first training for teaching children with Pebbles and Stones on August 26, and had preaching ministry on August 27.

Our 123 participants are from 52 local churches and Christian organizations. They are from All Race Church, Church of Christ, Assembly of God, Baptist, Revival Baptist, CEF, Campus Crusade for Christ, Grace Church, Evangelical Methodist church, and other many other independent churches.

After the training, we were able to distribute 4,000 cards of 17 stories, and 1,000 Story of Hope. We also introduce all One Hope products. We also can organize volunteer teams for book distributions and children ministry networking for Mandalay region.

- Sayama Khin San win

"This training really touches my heart. And, our church will do the ministry." - Saya Lay Lo

Yangon Training for 135 Participants on August 29-30, 2017

Kathleen with women from Yangon

Yangon is known as the most populated city in Myannar which has almost 8 million population, with many suburban development. Every year, we distributed about 300,000 copies of One Hope books in partnership with many local churches and Christian institutions. By God's grace we have 35 weekly kid's clubs in Yangon Area. So, our key participants are from our kid's clubs. We also invited our key leaders from Karen State, Mon State, Thailand Boarder, and Ayeyawady Division. The total of our 135 participants are from 91 local churches, institutions and organizations. They are mainly from Nazarene church, Baptist Church, Assembly of God, Presbyterian church, Anglican Church, Full Gospel Church, Grace Church, Campus Crusade for Christ, Orphanages, Gideon, CEF, Awana, and many independent churches.

After the training, many participants committed themselves to apply Pebbles and Stones' model of teaching into their Sunday school ministry and kid's club ministry. These participants are also planning to facilitate the similar training to their own churches and organizations. They all want to partner with Hi Kidz Myanmar Foundation for reaching 20 million children in any mean.

After the training, we were able to distribute 10,000 17 Story Cards and 1,500 Story of Hope. We received many volunteers who are willing to work with us for distributing One Hope books. We can build connection with 100 churches and organizations for distributing One Hope books and developing children ministry network in Yangon region and beyond.

"This is the first time I am learning about hearing God's voice. It is very spiritual lesson I never got from my church. I am so encouraged to help children listening to God."

- Sayama Tan Tan

"I like to have more training so that I can train so many others for helping children to have deeper relationship with Jesus."

- Sayama Thazin