Asia/Pacific Updates

Myanmar Mission Team

From June 25 to July 1, a medical mission team organized by TEAMS ministries came to Myanmar to hold free clinics as a service to IPHC churches and an outreach to local communities. The composition of the team was truly international, with 7 members from the USA, 4 from the Philippines, 3 from Japan, and one from Bangladesh.

The first clinic was held at ACTS Children's Home in Yangon, where over 240 children are cared for and taught by dedicated Christian staff. The campus is also home to ACTS Bible College, where some 160 students are enrolled in diploma, bachelor's or master's courses. On that day, over 170 students and staff came for medical exams and medicines.

The next clinic was held at a church on the outskirts of Yangon. Many people from the community, old and young, lined up outside the church to take advantage of the medical care. The team worked hard all day and saw over 240 patients! Hiro Bamba and Erika Mine from Japan entertained the children as they waited, introducing them to the joys of blowing bubbles and jumping rope.

On Sunday, the team ministered in two worship services at Church on the Rock in Yangon. OMC Russell Board preached in the 8:00 am Chin language service, while Dr. Vijay Balla, missionary to Bangladesh, spoke in the 10:00 Burmese language service. Erika sang worship songs in Japanese and English in both services, with translations into the local language projected on screen. Another clinic was held in the afternoon, with about 90 patients.

The following day the team drove out to a village area to hold another church-based clinic, but were refused permission by local authorities. They attempted to change the venue to the pastor's home, but the authorities again forbade them to see anyone from the village. The team prayed that these actions would result in greater favor for the church among the community, and that healing and freedom would come to the village through the Word of God. The team set up again on the main campus, and people from the surrounding community were invited. Some 100 came, keeping the team busy throughout the afternoon.

James Lian Sai, national leader of the Myanmar IPHC churches, invited the team to return next year to minister in another region of the country. Many thanks to Brenda Clowers and all the members of the team who made the trip a great success.

Note: The Children's Home is supported through People to People sponsors who adopt individual children. Only about 40 children currently have sponsors, so nearly 200 more are needed. To see about sponsoring a child in Myanmar, contact People to People by phone (405-787-7110, ext 3212) or on the internet here.

View photos of the mission trip in the album at left.  View a video of the mission trip here. 

Building a Church in Cambodia

A building team from Appalachian Conference and Valley Harvest Ministries has come to build a church for us in Champay, Cambodia. Battling oppressive heat, hungry insects and primitive conditions, they have blessed the church and the community through hard work, preaching, prayer and generosity of spirit. Photos of their work can be viewed here.  

Medical Mission Team

From June 12-20, a medical mission team organized and led with grace and skill by Brenda Clowers traveled to Malaysia and Indonesia to assist the IPHC churches in these nations with community outreach. Team members included Kelly Bird from North Carolina, Donna Mickelsen from Oklahoma, her daughter Tamara Hanson from Minnesota, Billi Rich from Tennessee, and Anne Kreighbaum from South Carolina. They were joined by Asia OMC Russell Board, South Asia RMC Tim Salley, missionary Al Argo, and SOW intern Bill Cleary. Their itinerary:

Day One: medical ministry at New Creation Revival Centre in Kuala Lumpur, assisting in outreach to poor members of the local community, mostly single mothers.

Day Two: medical ministry at Life Harvest Assembly in Kuala Lumpur, outreach to Burmese refugees from Myanmar; evening service at Life Harvest Assembly.

Day Three: morning public medical outreach in Kuala Lumpur park, ministering to Indian Hindus and Christians, and Malay Muslims; afternoon ministry at Mercy Home for mentally and physically disabled inviduals abandoned by their families and society, taken in and cared for by volunteers at the home; evening ministry at LifeSprings Prayer Center.

Day Four: church services at three locations, worshiping with Chinese, African and Burmese congregations.

Day Five: travel to Bali, Indonesia.

Day Six: community outreach medical clinic at Bali church.

Days Seven and Eight: medical ministry at two orphanages in Bali; missionaries teaching at Asia Ministerial Training Program at a separate location.

Medicines were distributed and prayers offered for more than five hundred patients, each of whom was touched by the love of Jesus through the caring hands of His people. Just as importantly, the local believers were encouraged by the sacrificial love of those who journeyed from America to come alongside them and work together to minister in their communities. We thank the Lord for the TEAMS program, and the assistance it provides to missionaries and churches around the world.

See photo albums at left.