Growing Future Leaders in Myanmar

A letter from Barry and Shelly Dawson serving as Regional Liaisons for Southeast Asia, based in Thailand

March 2015

Dear Friends and Mission Partners,

Twenty-two years ago in a remote village in northern Myanmar a baby boy named Bawi was born into a Christian home. As he grew older his parents shared stories of God’s love with him and, as he told us, “I believed that Jesus is my Savior, and He died for me. I believed from my childhood, and I decided to serve God.” Like many citizens of Myanmar whose family roots are found in isolated hamlets and rural landscapes, Bawi’s parents could not financially support him to follow his call to Christian ministry.  “But, I did not give up,” he says in a tone that reveals a resilient faith. “I prayed to God, and my prayer was answered to be able to study here. Sometimes when I face difficulties, I pray to God. I know that God can do anything.”

Bawi was one of many Tahan Theological College (TTC) students we met in late February when we traveled to Kalaymyo, in the northwest corner of Myanmar, about 80 miles from the border with the Mizoram state of northeast India.  During our three days in Kalaymyo we heard more students’ inspiring testimonies of the extraordinary ways that the Holy Spirit is shaping their calls to Christian ministry.

We bring greetings to a Tahan Theological College chapel service

Hee Hung, a 21-year-old female student from the Presbyterian Church of Myanmar, recalls that in her small congregation in southern Chin State, “there were no Sunday School teachers for the children. Even today, they do not have teachers.” She explains that God used that pressing need in her home church to touch her heart and call her into children’s ministry.

We also heard the story of how God is working in marvelous ways in the life of Bachelor of Theology student Lal Ruat Ce. At the core of Lal’s call to ministry is “understanding the reality of the people’s situation, what people are suffering.”  No less than 153 countries in the world have a superior ranking to Myanmar on the Human Development Index (HDI), which measures quality of life according to the metrics of income, life expectancy, health care, and education. Indeed, millions in Myanmar struggle to overcome the mountainous challenges of grinding poverty, chronic illness, and inadequate access to job training, educational resources, and medical services that could transform their daily lives. We heard in the tone of Lal’s voice and sensed in his heart a deep compassion for the suffering poor in Myanmar as he shared his call to be a pastor who “serves the needs of the people.”

Students share their challenges and dreams with us

While TTC continues to be closely affiliated with and financially supported by the Presbyterian Church of Myanmar, the global financial crisis of 2008 caused the
school to develop additional revenue sources through creating ecumenical partnerships and launching innovative projects on campus. During our visit we witnessed a team of energetic TTC students dragging more than 30 feet of long, muddy brown nets through the school’s fish ponds and joyfully catching more than 300 pounds of fish that were then sold to a local broker to supplement the school’s income.

Yet despite their innovative efforts, TTC still has many students who struggle to pay the annual costs of approximately $500 (USD equivalent) for tuition, room, and board.  As we listened to Thanda, a female student who aspires to work with a nongovernmental organization (NGO) in community development, we heard echoes of the same themes in many students’ urgent need for financial aid as well as their hope-filled trust that enables them to relentlessly pursue their calls to ministry at TTC. Thanda, whose father died when she was 7 years old and whose mother passed away when she was 14, told us, “I face many problems with my school fees, but I know God will never leave me.”

A Field of Dreams in Myanmar: Even when resources are scarce, we could sense that TTC is a place filled with big dreams.  Under the leadership of Rev. Pek Muan Cuang, Principal, TTC has navigated the transition to a new campus location and expanded its facilities. But, now there are new dreams … big dreams … unfulfilled dreams.  Dreams of more scholarships for students who often have to travel two or three days from their home villages to reach TTC … Dreams of faculty studying for advanced degrees … Dreams of a community recreation center and a Christian school for the community surrounding the TTC campus … A field of dreams in the hearts of TTC’s faculty and students.

Invitation to Partner with Us in Mission: We invite you to pray for us, learn about the joys and challenges facing Christians in this region, and give generously to help us raise the financial support that is needed for us to serve as mission co-workers. Your expressions of partnership and tangible gifts are vitally important for us to continue building mission connections and for working to empower a new generation of leaders for Christ’s church in Southeast Asia, leaders like those passionate students whose stories inspired us at Tahan Theological College in Myanmar.

Our Mission Interpretation Schedule in the U.S.A. in 2015: We will be in the United States for approximately three months (June, July, August) in 2015 to speak to churches, as well as meet with mission committees, pastors, and individuals who are interested in learning more about Christ’s mission in Southeast Asia. Please contact us at bdawson5@gmail.com for more information about us visiting your church this summer.

In Christ’s Joy,

Barry and Shelly

The 2015 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 235