tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38633690740708268882024-03-05T21:10:13.994-05:00Friends of Burma, Inc. NewsletterLwin Moehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07744752229286096883noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3863369074070826888.post-11394889875679380822024-01-07T12:34:00.002-05:002024-01-07T13:34:18.797-05:00Friends of Burma Annual Report 2023<p align="center" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;"><b>FRIENDS OF BURMA ANNUAL REPORT 20</b></span><b>23</b></p><p align="center" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="color: black;">548 Home Ave. Ft. Wayne, IN 46807</span></p><p align="center" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="mailto:neildianasowards@juno.com" style="color: navy;"><span style="color: black;">neildianasowards@</span></a><a href="mailto:neildianasowards@juno.com" style="color: navy;">gmail</a><a href="mailto:neildianasowards@juno.com" style="color: navy;"><span style="color: black;">.com</span></a> (<span style="color: black;">260</span>) <span style="color: black;">745-3658</span></p><p align="center" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); direction: ltr; line-height: 1px; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="http://friendsofburma.org/" style="background-color: transparent; color: navy; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #1155cc;"><u>http://friendsofburma.org</u></span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; text-align: left;"> </span></p><p><br /></p><p>“SOME VILLAGERS ARE EATING PIG FEED” (Free Burma Rangers)</p><p>“PEOPLE ARE DIVIDING PAIN PILLS INTO 4 PIECES AND SHARING” F.M.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNP_tOWG7kbEKN6n5bolVsMXf4aSIYzIMSThJ10m6OA_3rfgLiZGror16EV69sLLO1MUwxo7uY9RlwXWW7quWTOxbBI1llkEtEzO8Y6w06DJvXHXQJ2sGTnIbXwUT4KbkIwEWsw_TCf3CQIW1pcwsllvjJJ75w6UE2aICbq_ftDXQzDfrLi8qvM6AHVipk/s610/image1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="308" data-original-width="610" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNP_tOWG7kbEKN6n5bolVsMXf4aSIYzIMSThJ10m6OA_3rfgLiZGror16EV69sLLO1MUwxo7uY9RlwXWW7quWTOxbBI1llkEtEzO8Y6w06DJvXHXQJ2sGTnIbXwUT4KbkIwEWsw_TCf3CQIW1pcwsllvjJJ75w6UE2aICbq_ftDXQzDfrLi8qvM6AHVipk/w400-h203/image1.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sorting supplies for refugees (IDPs)</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Dear Friends and Supporters of Friends of Burma,</p><p>The comments above are some of the things that are being conveyed to us about the situation in Burma. This has been a year of great suffering for many people. There is a civil war going on between the military and long time ethnic armies, joined by volunteers from the cities and villages. If this is not bad enough, the military has been paying people to form militias to fight against the Peoples’ Defense Forces (PDFs). This will have long term consequences because it is neighbor fighting neighbor. There is little prospect for a cessation of fighting.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhvZcRSC9NZ63Qw95B7nyWPIzk614JteP2uuEqjOf3Pyi8wTrLisvVjy0clJPfunKJ_gUCoq5f1BsVxi3GrJmxJiYmsLc65-eDQqWQnJW3hr6e1QDVz1q1AgHinsGOWLU5F_tbPN76sr9_AQiVWI22_L7uq41iPTE082IKVxZt6W-_Oqzf_JV3IUN8vJ6d/s756/image2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="567" data-original-width="756" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhvZcRSC9NZ63Qw95B7nyWPIzk614JteP2uuEqjOf3Pyi8wTrLisvVjy0clJPfunKJ_gUCoq5f1BsVxi3GrJmxJiYmsLc65-eDQqWQnJW3hr6e1QDVz1q1AgHinsGOWLU5F_tbPN76sr9_AQiVWI22_L7uq41iPTE082IKVxZt6W-_Oqzf_JV3IUN8vJ6d/w400-h300/image2.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Living arrangement for IDPs</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Since this is happening, the long time focus of FOB (theological education, microcredit, orphans, etc) has taken a backseat to humanitarian assistance. As people are bombed and strafed out of their villages, they have moved into what are perceived as safe areas such as monasteries, churches, and schools. However, these have become targets also, so the suffering is great.</p><p>Since the military coup in 2021, the economy has been under great pressure. A 111 lb. bag of rice costs twice as much as it used to, and sometimes more than twice. When we send $50 in support, it can buy only half as much cooking oil as previously. Friends on the ground have gone out into neighborhoods at some risk to themselves to donate rice, oil, and tarps. In conflict areas such as Chin State and Shan State, it has become difficult to transmit funds because of electricity deficits. Please keep the people of Burma in your prayers.</p><p>As always, we have a primary concern for the children in the centers, some of which are run by the Karen Baptist Convention and some of which are run by associations, and some are independently run by concerned people. A shortened story of Agape orphanage in Loikaw follows.</p><p><b>Sent by Dr. M..H of Loikaw as of Dec. 15, 2023</b></p><p>“When fighting broke out in Loikaw on Nov. 11, many people left for neighboring Shan State. Some made it to Taunggyi, but some were stranded and formed refugee camps. The orphans were first moved to a small village, then to Naypyidaw (the capital city) and then to a village near Taunggyi. But these places were not convenient for them. Finally they were moved to another village near Taunggyi. They were given refuge in a 2 story building which serves as a church in the small town which has only three Christian families. They are now attending school there. The two girls who qualified for university cannot join because they cannot provide the paperwork necessary. Meanwhile the Loikaw Baptist Church has sustained damage from a shell which exploded. Other buildings were hit by artillery and windows were blown out and walls damaged. Many houses and buildings have been looted. Please remember us in your prayers.” Continued assistance is required for all the childcare centers because of inflation and war and floods.</p><p>Although there is conflict in many parts of the country, some parts are untouched by war. Good news from the Myanmar Baptist Convention. A new book, Myanmar Baptist Chronicle 2 (1963-2013) is in the works, being proofread and corrected and readied for printing around February 2024. The proofs were sent to all 18 conventions for their input and corrections. This book will be a continuation of the historical Baptist Chronicle 1 which was published in 1963. Neil’s parents were editors of that first book. We are so hopeful that the new book will be historically correct for the history of the Baptists.</p><p>Evangelical work goes on in spite of floods and dangers. Teacher and evangelist, Nant H..H…continues to go out to remote villages to spread the gospel. FOB was honored to support one of her trips. She spreads the word of God, and hope, and cheer among all she meets. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXrtG8pbyMIhXOlzOohj9t8IVqzWBOXLO7uVJ9-89uwumr_QphK9yE8AkjD8wEHeU_xgsMuIWk7_t8MLiONxcPoqVlItOidILUWmeZAd6cFwiZaYoYvjocKxTVgkkGMYd2p2-gihyEzgD6TEEjp6ewYD-py76wf8Jkr_bdlQmPfNb9C6CGzdx-NzvbxGA0/s841/image3.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="631" data-original-width="841" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXrtG8pbyMIhXOlzOohj9t8IVqzWBOXLO7uVJ9-89uwumr_QphK9yE8AkjD8wEHeU_xgsMuIWk7_t8MLiONxcPoqVlItOidILUWmeZAd6cFwiZaYoYvjocKxTVgkkGMYd2p2-gihyEzgD6TEEjp6ewYD-py76wf8Jkr_bdlQmPfNb9C6CGzdx-NzvbxGA0/w400-h300/image3.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evangelical group bringing cheer to villagers</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Some of our self help groups (aka microcredit), although experiencing difficulties because of the situation, are very interesting, and are carrying on. One such group is being run by the Ministers’ Dept. of the KBC. They are earning money in order to provide supplemental support to ministers age 80 or over. In other words, they are attempting to fund pensions to help elderly ministers. They are producing what they describe as “cover boards” which marriage certificates can be inserted into. By selling these through networking with churches, they are helping needy pastors. We think this is a wonderful idea and project. As with most of the self help projects, more capital means more profits so they are looking for increased funding for this project.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCyV051r0UNolLrO5j3lDHAiP3VLO8TKp8VU_rDviS3kTnxalSQ4NUOgSuNxPOwRL0-WOKeTjeW0_bK0-m2iHAij9s3pHqkVXlKmmu-MWiwupSu4IfYl7lZc-pCfgrLddU12k5-oLeTNrH8bfTnWGNZY96X8jcw3tosDjE_9ATMXUCSg5IZ-1J7_lEg962/s320/image4.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCyV051r0UNolLrO5j3lDHAiP3VLO8TKp8VU_rDviS3kTnxalSQ4NUOgSuNxPOwRL0-WOKeTjeW0_bK0-m2iHAij9s3pHqkVXlKmmu-MWiwupSu4IfYl7lZc-pCfgrLddU12k5-oLeTNrH8bfTnWGNZY96X8jcw3tosDjE_9ATMXUCSg5IZ-1J7_lEg962/w400-h300/image4.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Binders to raise pension for elderly pastors</td></tr></tbody></table><p><b>FOB keeps establishing Self Help Groups</b>. Here is an update on one called Beauty Farm. </p><p>This farm was initially funded by FOB 7 years ago but it is still going on and I want to report on the update progress information. It is 3 hours driving from Yangon.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOLFzILez6HnHzUkIIBnAhQSj0tRV856VePv7nQt7bcy-dhlWmEMVSmmmLJIxOmNhK1qUrkXiAA3zfGsjWbYgwrOR7h5KxOnYklBa_39XyCqAyq1YE3TBFbXZFszIyPfxQgwOpa9VXzQsak_MPSuzzcjz-lXKWQhh3ZfQqWpqy23liJ_ViJi7jXjtJp7Qk/s866/image5.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="649" data-original-width="866" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOLFzILez6HnHzUkIIBnAhQSj0tRV856VePv7nQt7bcy-dhlWmEMVSmmmLJIxOmNhK1qUrkXiAA3zfGsjWbYgwrOR7h5KxOnYklBa_39XyCqAyq1YE3TBFbXZFszIyPfxQgwOpa9VXzQsak_MPSuzzcjz-lXKWQhh3ZfQqWpqy23liJ_ViJi7jXjtJp7Qk/w400-h300/image5.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>"We started raising the cows from 2 cows but now we have 7 cows even though we sold 2 to 3 per year because we don’t have enough space for more than 10 cows. In 2023, October we get 3 more baby cows and in December we get one more baby cow. So, in 2023 we get 4 more new cows. So now we have 11 cows and we have plan that we will sell 2 cows in next year.</p><p>As the space and food for them are very limited so we have to adjust with the numbers of cows and budget. From the benefits from the cows, we support the mission field which has 21 households in Ayeyarwady Division."</p><p>It is good to get an update. Fourteen groups were lost in Cyclone Nargis because their participants were killed or their inventories were destroyed.</p><p><b>One of FOB’s most popular projects is the Christmas gift program</b>. When it started out several years ago, it was, I believe, a $20 gift to a needy person. Now, donors are giving $50 gifts to be given to a needy family. What is so amazing about this is the rewards it brings to the people who are chosen to give out these gifts. Over and over we hear stories about the prayers and decision making the givers go through and how much it means to them to choose a needy family and to present it with love and prayer for their well being. One such story follows.</p><p>This story comes from a final year student at Myanmar Institute of Theology. This has been edited somewhat. “I chose a widow in my church because she is leading a family of three grandchildren and all the family’s financial burden is on her. She does not have any property and is struggling. Especially nowadays many people are preparing and collecting food to flee to the safety zone because the military often came to our village and attacked. In the countryside, most of the families were farming for subsistence, but she does not have any farm to support her. When she received the gift, she wept and said a word of thanks to God. She was so happy and said that God heard her prayer. She said she had felt helpless in her situation. But she kept praying and believing that God would provide in time and unexpectedly she received the gift from you (FOB). </p><p>“When I saw her expression of joy and hope in her face and heard her testimony, I was so touched and cried with her and prayed and said thanks to God. This experience encourages me to have faith in God in my prayer for my country. I would like to thank you…..for letting me participate in this wonderful work of God.”</p><p><b>Genevieve and Erville Sowards Memorial Scholarships</b></p><p>This program was established by Diana and Neil Sowards in honor of Neil’s parents. Each year $20,000 in scholarships are divided and given to the top school of each ethnic group. The schools recommend students to receive it and the Myanmar Baptist Convention gives those schools scholarships for the recommended students. This program was endowed by Diana and Neil so that no donor’s money is used for these scholarships. The endowment is with Baptist Foundation. About 360 students, who are studying for the ministry, receive this scholarship each year.</p><p>FOB has been able to help alleviate a lot of suffering thanks to our faithful donors who give generously year after year. </p><p>Will you make a donation to Friends of Burma so that we can feed children, give medicine to the elderly, and comfort the dispossessed?</p><p><b>FREE BOOKS</b></p><p>We have multiple copies of a book from my sister’s estate that Neil wrote back in 2009. It is “Life in Burma” and is composed of 50 short descriptions of everyday life at that time (216 pages). It is a paper bound book. Anyone wanting one of these books can have one free plus postage which is $5.00. We would be happy to send you one. </p><p><b>Financial Summary</b>: In the year 2023, FOB received $832,025.05 which we distributed in Burma. Less than 1.5% was used for overhead. </p><p>If you have names and addresses of Karens in the United States or around the world, please share them with us so we can send them a copy of our newsletters. Our donors are aging so we constantly need to recruit young donors.</p><p><b>Partner Organizations</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPUPJouReLXvrApZMV6A-OqOWEuUUJHMwArFRPUlgYCzIdvANlyk4eCEtBqGhOJNdvKOTCsUQP1ZJ0M4i9UgqEz6rZq_GLQT7z2lD-AqByPLmPYe1NbwVFBOeBYyMjXRa63hA6NhCZ8iNRn1BFrMEMIdRL_D0HhL5_X3itFrsfB3Qc3BTedEGA8yYuHTTo/s806/image6.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="555" data-original-width="806" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPUPJouReLXvrApZMV6A-OqOWEuUUJHMwArFRPUlgYCzIdvANlyk4eCEtBqGhOJNdvKOTCsUQP1ZJ0M4i9UgqEz6rZq_GLQT7z2lD-AqByPLmPYe1NbwVFBOeBYyMjXRa63hA6NhCZ8iNRn1BFrMEMIdRL_D0HhL5_X3itFrsfB3Qc3BTedEGA8yYuHTTo/w400-h275/image6.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>FOB works with about six other organizations and individuals who want to help the people of Burma. This saves them the long process of becoming a 501(C)(3) organization and allows them to give tax deduction to their donors. Here is the story of one such organization.</p><p><b>Lightning for Learning</b>. Bob and Cynthia Wu visited several orphanages several years ago. They realized the children in the orphanage were not motivated to do their best in school work or on the government Matriculation Test. Students who did well on the Matriculation tests were allowed to go on to the government colleges and universities. Why should they do well if they did not have the money to go on for higher education? </p><p>So Bob and Cynthia established Lightning for Learning. They raised money from their friends and then sponsored any orphan who had earned the right to attend college. This motivated some of the brightest students who then scored high enough on the Matriculation Test to go on to University. Volunteers came from nearby churches to tutor the students. So fourteen students are now getting higher education thanks to Bob and Cynthia Wu.</p><p><b>Leprosy Hospital</b>. The father of a Karen now living in the United States was treated for Leprosy and so was able to return to society. Eventually the son was able to come to the United States. In thinking about how he has had a good life because of the treatment his father received, decided that he would collect money for the two leprosy hospitals in Myanmar to show his gratitude for the treatment his father received. His job is making deliveries for a company all over the United States. This allows him to visit many Karen churches and collect donations for the two leprosy hospitals. By partnering with FOB he is able to give his donors tax deduction and avoid the extra work of being a separate nonprofit corporation. We can partner with him because goals line up with FOBs mission statement.</p><p><b>Letter of Appreciation and Report (Sharing Love Gift to Widows from IDP camps)</b></p><p>“We would like to send our heartfelt thank and appreciation to the persons who have deep concern for the needy and vulnerable persons as widows in the different IDP camp sites in Karen State. We received the fund as exact amount of 4,651,500 Myanmar kyats to contribute to the widows in different parts of Karen State. We really thank Sayama F.B. for her earnestly concern to the needy as a focal person of this program, too.</p><p>With the fund we could contribute to 57 widows in five different camp sites of Karen State. Amazingly the fund could help the widows between the ages 105 to 21 years old. Some women became as widows just recently because of civil war. We could make three in-person trips to meet them in sharing love gift, encouraging, listening and praying for them. For the rest we just transferred the fund to the local persons and they helped us in reaching out to the widows.</p><p>We could not get all the names list of the widows for the difficult transportation and communication. But we tried our best in listing the names and ages of the receivers. We do appreciate your love and concern and on be-half of the widows we would like to express our heartfelt thank to the donors. We will attach some names list, the targeted regions, the expenditures and some photos of the program.</p><p>May God bless you all in whatever you do.”</p><p>With much thanks,<br />Name edited for safety</p><p><b>Wish List</b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>$300 to fund a self help group or to increase capital in an already existing group, such as the ministers pension fund project.</li><li>$500 for supplies for childcare centers in the Bago region to replace items damaged by floods.</li><li>$500 for supplies for children as they study online in areas where there is no school and for supplies for those studying at government schools.</li><li>$200 for humanitarian supplies for various groups (many) of displaced people, including medicines, blankets, tarps and rice. </li><li>$200 Scholarship aid for theological students in some conflict areas, such as Nyaungleben, where they are beginning a BTh 4 year program in the coming year. $200 for one student. This is just one school. There are others.</li><li>$500 for medicines for Matthew 25 Love clinic in Pathein to supplement what they have.</li><li>$300 to support an evangelistic team from Kawthulei Karen Baptist Bible School who go to villages to help them and tell about Jesus.</li></ul><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJzUizJahI0-GHzDRbBmXxy30Rm2LYmTlYwlOpv0Nzv4o5lzMZg3yhB5IsiKafVO8J82CVawJViXSzDbqFWllwKeoZX33OrTrdOh8kzuoHws9B6EQCW2EFAy4XQdwbwmOWjR1pKP9eJZ2Ys9LIDzkaQ3tszLV-0hg_8tHpZVsipQCX5tj4RLNu1O3DFH9C/s501/image8.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="379" data-original-width="501" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJzUizJahI0-GHzDRbBmXxy30Rm2LYmTlYwlOpv0Nzv4o5lzMZg3yhB5IsiKafVO8J82CVawJViXSzDbqFWllwKeoZX33OrTrdOh8kzuoHws9B6EQCW2EFAy4XQdwbwmOWjR1pKP9eJZ2Ys9LIDzkaQ3tszLV-0hg_8tHpZVsipQCX5tj4RLNu1O3DFH9C/w400-h303/image8.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gifts to the most needy</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX4PRHKQeNhW6fgPFgIXYEYLf8rdfkaYIYwz6_ZJciq-0sTtTW1brcOqE1BlfHw-bVq4f3WHjiRsJ6GIw-5d3g6rwjmLMX0uHd2EaBVMQSF2Hs6VJpYVmK9g6kUQ_v03Q930D0v8xUC5Rf28M-nQ3fumzWelqbrMgdPTTUu9uzPWvOj-Ihv9ktVdvhDqLy/s494/image7.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="374" data-original-width="494" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX4PRHKQeNhW6fgPFgIXYEYLf8rdfkaYIYwz6_ZJciq-0sTtTW1brcOqE1BlfHw-bVq4f3WHjiRsJ6GIw-5d3g6rwjmLMX0uHd2EaBVMQSF2Hs6VJpYVmK9g6kUQ_v03Q930D0v8xUC5Rf28M-nQ3fumzWelqbrMgdPTTUu9uzPWvOj-Ihv9ktVdvhDqLy/w400-h303/image7.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gifts to the most needy</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><i>This edition compiled by Neil, Diana, and Lwin Moe.</i></div>Lwin Moehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07744752229286096883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3863369074070826888.post-88541097184917622842023-10-29T18:30:00.002-04:002023-10-29T21:44:15.630-04:00No Safe Place<p>As you may have already known, the recent conflicts in Burma due to the military coup in 2021 have caused many people to be displaced from their villages. The military airstrikes against villages are causing havoc to local populations in various places. <a href="https://www.freeburmarangers.org/">Free Burma Rangers</a>, led by David Eubank, has been active on the frontline. "No Safe Place" is a new documentary following the Free Burma Rangers on a relief mission in Karenni State, Burma. We thought that it would be of interest to you regarding the latest situation in Burma.</p><p>Watch on YouTube: <a href="https://youtu.be/vmKPDNRVDII">https://youtu.be/vmKPDNRVDII</a></p><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>
Lwin Moehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07744752229286096883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3863369074070826888.post-28924069532120542852023-09-10T09:56:00.000-04:002023-09-10T09:56:18.104-04:00Friends of Burma, Inc. Newsletter Fall 2023<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ut19oPtbXKk5c78lQSbKCYW_wsBInZwLM9yffEYFdz7fvp9O2kc0ExoJEM4QF76M9QnF4CyUe_4_BydoYd2EvMeueKahmIYL5DOI23XSyWlKzjP5qsQwBTuYYuxg33F5YC1nbmbcCKUfuNkLEnwAKdJ837AY41lnIjaJ4fQzX1YA47jJaa24UaV41NrT/s731/image1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="523" data-original-width="731" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ut19oPtbXKk5c78lQSbKCYW_wsBInZwLM9yffEYFdz7fvp9O2kc0ExoJEM4QF76M9QnF4CyUe_4_BydoYd2EvMeueKahmIYL5DOI23XSyWlKzjP5qsQwBTuYYuxg33F5YC1nbmbcCKUfuNkLEnwAKdJ837AY41lnIjaJ4fQzX1YA47jJaa24UaV41NrT/s320/image1.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Dear our partners and friends, may the wisdom and blessings of the Fall Season be with you. As the brilliance of fall foliage is all around us, we are in many ways reminded to reflect on what we had sowed and relish those that have ripened and come to fruition, while also being aware of the need to let go to give way to new beginnings. Together with you, we have been able to brighten and give some hope to the people of Burma, struggling through one of the most challenging times in its history. While the troubles seem never-ending for them, we are humble to witness how they are blessed with resilience and perseverance. And for that, FOB is grateful to be part of the blessings. Your love, care and support are greatly appreciated, and we are convinced more than ever that your continuing support is increasingly essential for those in dire needs. In Romans 12:12, it reads “be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Let us continue to bring hope, share the pain and pray relentlessly for them.</p><p><b>Phil Schock, one of our board members, wrote why he supports FOB</b></p><p>I support Friends of Burma because I believe in helping those in need there, who face difficulties in obtaining medical care and education and proper care for children. I support Friends of Burma because through helping schools, clinics, displaced people, and child care programs in Burma, the message of the love of Jesus is reconfirmed and spread to many, over and over.</p><p>I support Friends of Burma because the organization reaches many people in Burma through a variety of programs and projects, with a minimum amount of overhead costs. <b>I know that very close to 100% of the funds that I send will actually reach the people and projects for which they are intended. </b> </p><p>I believe that God wants us to use what we have been given to further His Kingdom, not simply for our own pleasure and our own ends. I believe that in years to come, no one will recall what kind of house I lived in or any of my earthly exploits - in fact in years to come, very few people will remember me at all. But by helping a few people in very simple ways, by being important in the life of even one child, maybe it will have made a difference in the world, and that I lived in it. That is why I support Friends of Burma. <i>Phil Schock</i></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXNzAKbebR2p43lLZqcoDYlvsiE2txpwyV8D77zJoQe7cxRvlhYr2gmw-iDm3fAc7FyvvSIK3p96fA8D0Puwpk8GCoNYyxmbYzN9pr9EdYc_fzJwhdFKTGyFDUFzWUCSmv_BKLfkScyZIU-n_8mbosY7DPav2qjmvSXPjsz7ceZ-Xcdq1BtTwvKQz9rE27/s960/Preparing%20to%20distribute.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="434" data-original-width="960" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXNzAKbebR2p43lLZqcoDYlvsiE2txpwyV8D77zJoQe7cxRvlhYr2gmw-iDm3fAc7FyvvSIK3p96fA8D0Puwpk8GCoNYyxmbYzN9pr9EdYc_fzJwhdFKTGyFDUFzWUCSmv_BKLfkScyZIU-n_8mbosY7DPav2qjmvSXPjsz7ceZ-Xcdq1BtTwvKQz9rE27/s320/Preparing%20to%20distribute.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Donation of Rice</td></tr></tbody></table><p>L.A.B.C., Daleh mission is now serving a mission field located in Ann township, Rakhine State. The mission group used <b>the donation in buying rice bags and distributing them to 85 IDP families</b> during May 2023. Thank you for supporting our mission.</p><p>Rakhine State suffered from a cyclone last May 2023, and we have a lot of people who need help. People are sick because of mosquitoes and they do not have enough blankets and mosquito nets to prevent them from mosquito bites. With the donation of FOB we went to Myiangyagar and distributed <b>15 blankets, 15 mosquito nets, 15 mats and 15 pillows to those who needed (photos below).</b> They were very grateful for unexpected love gifts which can protect them from sickness.</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirBceLFivTH1xUg9gnsHrewGFVb7B3UB9O8GucZazMQuEGhLSUoi6vnBslNusCQBHVqO3Y5qoxL9JVcnqy_6apODnO0jaqeSb_K32siA-1rjicW5MGv5r1KGqmE8WMimG3sQ7_1PIZPKKwzM-11VI6AYHjeyQYQmBjMxQVXCXZizqgxfViz5sSkh8ur0Tt/s2048/353817894_589624373333771_5407210623018269158_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirBceLFivTH1xUg9gnsHrewGFVb7B3UB9O8GucZazMQuEGhLSUoi6vnBslNusCQBHVqO3Y5qoxL9JVcnqy_6apODnO0jaqeSb_K32siA-1rjicW5MGv5r1KGqmE8WMimG3sQ7_1PIZPKKwzM-11VI6AYHjeyQYQmBjMxQVXCXZizqgxfViz5sSkh8ur0Tt/s320/353817894_589624373333771_5407210623018269158_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihqjbnhAo04AqfIQ2VTT2hg3Mi5269cy7IKb1q0z2-7Ba7ENEQoZNOMC2beP97i13y0nnkg_mfsXwa3mMj4xlOwPTc4GWXvnavRf47zpGXxvlkJfqq90j_enlivwGmMs5Dhqdnu4O9AwnBl455lMnE-5sbij4BWMZ8XJbB9yjQwjTRiYS0agBdNB-Efc8T/s2048/353875271_233315849504102_8414182340547603003_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihqjbnhAo04AqfIQ2VTT2hg3Mi5269cy7IKb1q0z2-7Ba7ENEQoZNOMC2beP97i13y0nnkg_mfsXwa3mMj4xlOwPTc4GWXvnavRf47zpGXxvlkJfqq90j_enlivwGmMs5Dhqdnu4O9AwnBl455lMnE-5sbij4BWMZ8XJbB9yjQwjTRiYS0agBdNB-Efc8T/s320/353875271_233315849504102_8414182340547603003_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh57UqIh6PAD-wm4yzig2Jc_PiV8mRg8mAeOuFW__0QEsnP_BDElrEIglhMOYVEXm_5bTTpJJ3Ip_3EZhcJ1chQ9PbMNo4Yxo6ib86bN08dSAXK-DZKl0AmMC6AFDMCIkP8GVCECJFutBoeL5HTZxhDKnN386de_4aXVzOcasg8ZDua4I3KFa2AnVAO2xC0/s2048/353901452_613731657522257_7281947868321941247_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh57UqIh6PAD-wm4yzig2Jc_PiV8mRg8mAeOuFW__0QEsnP_BDElrEIglhMOYVEXm_5bTTpJJ3Ip_3EZhcJ1chQ9PbMNo4Yxo6ib86bN08dSAXK-DZKl0AmMC6AFDMCIkP8GVCECJFutBoeL5HTZxhDKnN386de_4aXVzOcasg8ZDua4I3KFa2AnVAO2xC0/s320/353901452_613731657522257_7281947868321941247_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZwJt_UO04ULa1JyV1yYR0JnHFiMqtC9ojHIJtfZJfyKZ0VATsGYAFNLvuLuP2jiWdH7A8dzvK5eq5t2oMFJipth5DR_2t9CK7CO1ctxtfDNAsEn3Oexa3WrDwVjDupoPCGvfMgNT7AqOwpzE9moT_9JUiYdhpfIrQfMHrxqsdOUTH75y_8SsrIPQK8yh/s2048/355894156_284439037333648_857220396720299023_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBZwJt_UO04ULa1JyV1yYR0JnHFiMqtC9ojHIJtfZJfyKZ0VATsGYAFNLvuLuP2jiWdH7A8dzvK5eq5t2oMFJipth5DR_2t9CK7CO1ctxtfDNAsEn3Oexa3WrDwVjDupoPCGvfMgNT7AqOwpzE9moT_9JUiYdhpfIrQfMHrxqsdOUTH75y_8SsrIPQK8yh/s320/355894156_284439037333648_857220396720299023_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div><b>Orphanage Mission</b></div><div>We are thankful for having donors who support our Orphanage Mission. Since we are facing political conflicts and armed conflict in our country we need more help for our center. On the other side, KBC is also planning to provide more qualified staff by arranging "teachers' training" for the orphanage center.</div><div><br /></div><div>Our partner <b>Lightning for learning </b>for the Myanmar Orphans also held a graduation ceremony for their summer English class for kids last May.</div><div><br /></div><div>One of the students from <b>Paradise Orphanage,</b> Naw Freeda is now attending teachers' training and it is one of the fruits of our Mission.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTFUlDT5WMUGg-HtjdCSBaGaVh-tjNGZ8IzfkzGnJ-N0AbCDooQz-y78d1Rz87L6Gfsjrr0WxcbyK-ui_almuQDvyTvukpQbRAFZcMUiJQvU2dK8GsOvNmtK2WYY6bUctl91tZytGgmt7BECMLFOEkBndrJeFWkcDUWq8mil7wt_NfiTxxhJ1R6DpUxfvP/s640/IMG_6876.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTFUlDT5WMUGg-HtjdCSBaGaVh-tjNGZ8IzfkzGnJ-N0AbCDooQz-y78d1Rz87L6Gfsjrr0WxcbyK-ui_almuQDvyTvukpQbRAFZcMUiJQvU2dK8GsOvNmtK2WYY6bUctl91tZytGgmt7BECMLFOEkBndrJeFWkcDUWq8mil7wt_NfiTxxhJ1R6DpUxfvP/w400-h300/IMG_6876.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b>The Agape Orphanage Project</b></div><div>The Agape Orphanage is organized by Loikaw Baptist church. For the academic year of (2023-2024), <b>the Agape Orphanage center has 8 girls and 3 boys, including 3 new children who lost their fathers during armed conflict and mothers are not able to take care of them.</b> They all go back to school in June and try their best for their education. Among these children Naw Elizebeth and Naw Lee Mo are talented by playing violin. Naw Elizebeth, who is going to 8th grade, earned some pocket money by teaching violin during summer holidays.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Loikaw Baptist church is now providing shelter and food to 120 IDPs from two villages.</b> Director from the center sent his heartfelt thanks and mentioned that “even though we are facing a hard time, we are so blessed by the grace of God and all of your support.“ </div></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiByW8ljkrfhCbvW5ccep6BaCeRUNO8AR4qeFEUPDr9NsImie45LL8v7gWQ4xDEIFJgaWMnoVq3B_-h-oYjaRy0yAXlp_AwVGp8upC_XEhbcus01cGcALID8hk4ieVSfHhT6sllxVAh68wF6SSir-67j71LivEryh2N1QQgGA4HYnt5iivBpuzIHW7rB-sR/s884/Naw%20Her%20Say.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="884" data-original-width="590" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiByW8ljkrfhCbvW5ccep6BaCeRUNO8AR4qeFEUPDr9NsImie45LL8v7gWQ4xDEIFJgaWMnoVq3B_-h-oYjaRy0yAXlp_AwVGp8upC_XEhbcus01cGcALID8hk4ieVSfHhT6sllxVAh68wF6SSir-67j71LivEryh2N1QQgGA4HYnt5iivBpuzIHW7rB-sR/s320/Naw%20Her%20Say.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i>Naw Her Gay from Kwe Lwe Orphanage</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><div><b>Naw Her Gay from Kwe Lwe Orphanage</b>, who became an orphan at age 7 after losing both her parents in Cyclone Nargis in 2008, is finishing her nurse aide training program. She is very keen to take care of patients and has a goal to work in healthcare services.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqqAnJ38UwZJEoa2MyI7tdaXoaXXtSFEDWRf8ryeUmeQ4qJhOsnb9MHBHO1Cbe-IxmJWH4jsrkUY7SYl-mBiRr2Uyf4Ejw2YI6ny69K6mlUea4arvr_9W5xAjj1Dx57vnbA0WZB3Z9uBvBTOthXqzrVIpFsE4uDJ3aQ7CLS79blwlJdg-YEYZHmBmODP3x/s408/Naw%20Htoo%20Wah%20Lay.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="292" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqqAnJ38UwZJEoa2MyI7tdaXoaXXtSFEDWRf8ryeUmeQ4qJhOsnb9MHBHO1Cbe-IxmJWH4jsrkUY7SYl-mBiRr2Uyf4Ejw2YI6ny69K6mlUea4arvr_9W5xAjj1Dx57vnbA0WZB3Z9uBvBTOthXqzrVIpFsE4uDJ3aQ7CLS79blwlJdg-YEYZHmBmODP3x/s320/Naw%20Htoo%20Wah%20Lay.jpg" width="229" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i>Naw Htoo Wah Lay</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><b>Naw Htoo Wah Lay</b> from a village in Myaung Mya township is enrolling in the Master of Theology program after passing matriculation in 2015 and graduating from B.Th class at Ko Tha Byu Theological Seminary in 2020. With her best academic performance, she wants to be a good minister and serve in the ministry of God.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>LET US continue our helping hands to those who are in need.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Love Gifts for Widows</b></div><div><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN_0ZThqoDb2TpW3qk4ZkSQwVtoLkBYSUECcdMGsyrSOKm6ERz8KlMW7Uh0Jc5lE2NwJFyKCAWeYRBjnqKcy6os6rxHu5eaqBzNa-aS56vJtBq5-7_G-P3T2gKkP7RfrHz_nMaafc6Nh_ovVunrO4cQO7CechARmBZnoCFf24n_BCwOZu5qJO8eRN-CdM6/s320/image1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN_0ZThqoDb2TpW3qk4ZkSQwVtoLkBYSUECcdMGsyrSOKm6ERz8KlMW7Uh0Jc5lE2NwJFyKCAWeYRBjnqKcy6os6rxHu5eaqBzNa-aS56vJtBq5-7_G-P3T2gKkP7RfrHz_nMaafc6Nh_ovVunrO4cQO7CechARmBZnoCFf24n_BCwOZu5qJO8eRN-CdM6/s1600/image1.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBoe0LfqVgUclvUTEAOYbbOCm3itJ05Ec3ZMtnl7vJsYN8ChxQJZTP42aC0OgzsxgEmJX5qMz3o9d36B7phiOt3KMyDUibar7DtrVNdmeJ9Mb-Lq02l7hEQyDhCmk5BwD-JoD1tK6WsN5nlf1fQP9iobMXlDnn00kmjDSD-CE-SZ_RqqKDXNOGu0_TRJkM/s320/image2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBoe0LfqVgUclvUTEAOYbbOCm3itJ05Ec3ZMtnl7vJsYN8ChxQJZTP42aC0OgzsxgEmJX5qMz3o9d36B7phiOt3KMyDUibar7DtrVNdmeJ9Mb-Lq02l7hEQyDhCmk5BwD-JoD1tK6WsN5nlf1fQP9iobMXlDnn00kmjDSD-CE-SZ_RqqKDXNOGu0_TRJkM/s1600/image2.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Naw Anita</td></tr></tbody></table><div><div><br /></div><div><b>Anita</b>, who tried to get a job in a neighboring country, became a victim of human trafficking. Her husband who suffered from a mental illness had killed their two kids and he himself committed suicide. Her sister who got 7-month pregnant and fled from an armed conflict area also committed suicide. The old father who heard the bad news also passed away. All terrible things were happening within two weeks. This is a very sad story and we can imagine how Anita had faced a difficult time. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Women's Self Help Groups</b></div><div>The women empowerment group now <b>provides counseling to Anita and supports her 100,000 kyats ($28.00) to start a small business for her living.</b> </div></div><div><div><br /></div><div>Another widow, <b>Naw Mya Nwe</b> with 5 kids, also got <b>200,000 kyats ($57.00) to start a small business by selling traditional medication</b> to the community.</div><div><br /></div><div>Both widows would like to thank all of you who donated through FOB for helping them. Please keep praying for them as well.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho7zfdX4xb21ajA9wFtbe9Eqre_3Xr9KTlqfwr3FlVc6laSstiNtvPCpkk1-qzPNxhQ2wlgVSfDTN-GC4_GbOtfETaAF07ayn9SJW7d-qXgvpBTIZ29M5YqGtRYT6hhV09832fEbMwJxDlnSdEWkOZP3-LwtGaKusHyGsJMWyVVsP-066xpOx3BhrG3w51/s557/image9.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="418" data-original-width="557" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho7zfdX4xb21ajA9wFtbe9Eqre_3Xr9KTlqfwr3FlVc6laSstiNtvPCpkk1-qzPNxhQ2wlgVSfDTN-GC4_GbOtfETaAF07ayn9SJW7d-qXgvpBTIZ29M5YqGtRYT6hhV09832fEbMwJxDlnSdEWkOZP3-LwtGaKusHyGsJMWyVVsP-066xpOx3BhrG3w51/s320/image9.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><i>Another group of women works to sew traditional clothes which they sell so they can pay school fees for their children. </i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><b>Alternative Christmas gift given to a poor family – $50</b></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZdVrLfeuHH27o3tv792yAxOgVpIYIbGzvEaDFlvqrUiAICRQ-CyR5XSC67Ou_keDn16jAnypdNtfx6k-mhEdiHiz06dnV40c0ggBqNEzAGTfJD60oW-2PZyGAZMb10AvRnTXdCy99RHfRFww0W2s1G7NgWBS9bxv8oAkTMbl0YbUBIFv7gTnwpnLyO6SP/s931/image7.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="699" data-original-width="931" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZdVrLfeuHH27o3tv792yAxOgVpIYIbGzvEaDFlvqrUiAICRQ-CyR5XSC67Ou_keDn16jAnypdNtfx6k-mhEdiHiz06dnV40c0ggBqNEzAGTfJD60oW-2PZyGAZMb10AvRnTXdCy99RHfRFww0W2s1G7NgWBS9bxv8oAkTMbl0YbUBIFv7gTnwpnLyO6SP/s320/image7.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div>You can participate in our alternative Christmas gift program where your $50 donation will reach directly to a very poor person or family in Myanmar. The recipient of your gift is one of those who only make less than $200 income per year so $50 is a great gift equal to about 3 months income. Your gift money will be received as it is in local currency or in an equal amount of supplies to the intended person or family.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Myanmar Institute of Theology (MIT) Updates</b></div><div><i>Classes are open both online and in-person!</i></div><div>Getting decent education services, especially higher education, has been a crisis in the current context, and MIT has been the only hope to many students. Amidst the problems of internet Wi-Fi, electricity shortage and the current political crisis, MIT has been able to reopen classes for both in-person and online. More than 150 new students have been admitted to Theology Program for the academic year 2023-2024. While theology students have been taking classes both online and in-person, only online classes can be arranged, at present, for students of Liberal Arts Program (LAP). FOB scholarship has enabled MIT to financially support students with most needs from LAP, whose families could not afford to support them due to loss of jobs caused by both COVID-19 pandemic and the political crisis, totaling 284 students. In August, FOB was able to respond to the request for restrooms in the school library. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNdJEG4toKRKZYOyi0WWsEdhRArrb-x2_UR6JpskSykUBR8URX5-13fSh_DmPWB4UrxmRYhOW5G7JrCoL6ULTi8BtqxEB6xMTNI5uIGmCt8Oz7vEI4k-ZvYVmjXDJBjD2CIMp_4ryK3Dn4X4YiaOwAm2qJ5NleNJaORiCK5eawevxEOd_jN3XBIEV5O28C/s660/image10.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="660" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNdJEG4toKRKZYOyi0WWsEdhRArrb-x2_UR6JpskSykUBR8URX5-13fSh_DmPWB4UrxmRYhOW5G7JrCoL6ULTi8BtqxEB6xMTNI5uIGmCt8Oz7vEI4k-ZvYVmjXDJBjD2CIMp_4ryK3Dn4X4YiaOwAm2qJ5NleNJaORiCK5eawevxEOd_jN3XBIEV5O28C/s320/image10.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Opening Convocation</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcOolmMHw5mXQPrn0brIGh2TBZXvCEiPtl3chFIUg4-wjLo-Xe151Goe86c-_nuMrVib3dCW6T0ty2xTqCUQ9gz74KchBLvR-HxPz_RO9CZxSSlQxL2ma-YzRIsVGM_o_HWxIqT5QYcxEC1JhigMUSaG3eYUq1Ws9o-usTTrfKA_DN4GD_uJCvnSPIiz_u/s660/image11.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="660" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcOolmMHw5mXQPrn0brIGh2TBZXvCEiPtl3chFIUg4-wjLo-Xe151Goe86c-_nuMrVib3dCW6T0ty2xTqCUQ9gz74KchBLvR-HxPz_RO9CZxSSlQxL2ma-YzRIsVGM_o_HWxIqT5QYcxEC1JhigMUSaG3eYUq1Ws9o-usTTrfKA_DN4GD_uJCvnSPIiz_u/s320/image11.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-170020f0-7fff-da52-b22f-cd4c87750f2e"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">EC Members of Student Council (Theology)</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2TUlEN8ZC0ilPQVjMpuPqDJmeBSeSyq520a3-Dad3pZvBJj5UHuynpDk122_7yZFIHZV0N3o-GuKUF-JwZ29pJKHST_4jDfLSnIY5_sC_OEJouRO8TdR3T3VaplTa_Y3xKyETjbw6btiaeg3PWNpCDBTI9Mt5RA8qNvJvmc4DyDAC8aJRsFUkYUqhEVMM/s662/image12.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="662" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2TUlEN8ZC0ilPQVjMpuPqDJmeBSeSyq520a3-Dad3pZvBJj5UHuynpDk122_7yZFIHZV0N3o-GuKUF-JwZ29pJKHST_4jDfLSnIY5_sC_OEJouRO8TdR3T3VaplTa_Y3xKyETjbw6btiaeg3PWNpCDBTI9Mt5RA8qNvJvmc4DyDAC8aJRsFUkYUqhEVMM/s320/image12.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-7b4173e4-7fff-0266-9828-dc615e88f34a"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Activities on World Environment Day</span></p></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyBRWZmV2nczE3jNbrdITByv0ZEFWIdBPL84wojvgnIR00deS8Ag9nWlx1wvqCmsFSZAt4Iy1Pcul5HpoXZDEkwPwpL7uFUrFSq-AYBlAk5SVq3lzxnbbbU104CWwUtgPiTp3u5FFpJy5SmJuNFou5dfNn67Yi9wDajapuCmuS5Ehb2v-IoGo3Nw2MTl0T/s660/image13.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="489" data-original-width="660" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyBRWZmV2nczE3jNbrdITByv0ZEFWIdBPL84wojvgnIR00deS8Ag9nWlx1wvqCmsFSZAt4Iy1Pcul5HpoXZDEkwPwpL7uFUrFSq-AYBlAk5SVq3lzxnbbbU104CWwUtgPiTp3u5FFpJy5SmJuNFou5dfNn67Yi9wDajapuCmuS5Ehb2v-IoGo3Nw2MTl0T/s320/image13.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-7b4173e4-7fff-0266-9828-dc615e88f34a"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Activities on World Environment Day</span></p></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Wish List</b></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><div>Please tell one person about Friends of Burma and what we do. The story you tell can make a big difference in many lives in Burma.</div></li><li>Child Care Centers:</li><ul><li>Pu Saw Bu: funds for building of additional toilet</li><li>Myit Tar Yeik Mon: needs support for children’s education and living</li><li>New Eden: Medication support for sickness</li><li>Pu Mooler Theh: needs bicycles for children to go to school</li><li>Htee Moo Htaw Ber: WiFi power bank for online studying</li><li>Chit Myit Tar: Text book for children for online studying</li></ul><li>Myanmar Institute of Thelogy:</li><ul><li>90th Anniversary Building of MIT (to accommodate more students in dire needs for education)</li><li>Scholarships for the needy students of MIT</li><li>Upgrading Higher Education Facilities of MIT (Auditorium Facilities, Classroom Facilities, Digital Facilities, Eco-friendly Facilities, Education Lab Facilities, Facilities for People with Special Needs, Health Care Facilities, Library Facilities, Musical Instruments, Office Facilities, Research Facilities, Solar System, Sporting Facilities, Studio Facilities). <i>Please take a moment to review a variety of facilities above and pick one or two that touch your heart to support.</i></li></ul></ul></div><div>Your support of full amount or any portion would be a blessing. Please write a check payable to Friends of Burma or donate online using PayPal (<a href="https://friendsofburma.org/donate/">https://friendsofburma.org/donate/</a>). Please note that there is a processing fees, which we have to cover, if you use PayPal. If you want to use Zelle instead, please use neildianasowards@gmail.com.</div><p></p><p>FOB, tax ID 20-5572384, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and all donations are tax-deductible.</p><p>This newsletter was written and compiled by Anna Barbara Maung and Kanyaw Paw Tha. </p><p><b>Donate</b>: <a href="http://friendsofburma.org/donate">http://friendsofburma.org/donate</a> </p><p><strong>Friends of Burma, Inc.</strong> <em>548 Home Ave. Ft. Wayne, IN 46807</em><br /><em>Tel. 260-745-3658, Email: president@friendsofburma.org<br />Website: <a href="http://friendsofburma.org/">http://friendsofburma.org</a>, Blog: <a href="http://blog.friendsofburma.org/">http://blog.friendsofburma.org</a></em><br /><em>E-Newsletters: <a href="http://news.friendsofburma.org/">http://news.friendsofburma.org</a></em></p><div>Printable PDF version of this newsletter can be <a href="http://friendsofburma.org/static/docs/newsletter_fall_2023.pdf">downloaded from our website</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Historic Photograph</b></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWAxPyjO-qez_KfZPESlJy4tyYkvIa8Abaj0DE91ASN_iWIyKxP3VuwQiTpsCYdldBqziu5rSd8sbOkF24plI9KggOF_6kLD7ayigKGBaWK6d9EcgmlLk6rMAcj6AwHPs7fus0pWyUhGL5QGUVOuqkqOq0NbyxQ8Nb7X8IXm7Xh-7XtqJXiQskBFFk0BWd/s1115/image15.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1083" data-original-width="1115" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWAxPyjO-qez_KfZPESlJy4tyYkvIa8Abaj0DE91ASN_iWIyKxP3VuwQiTpsCYdldBqziu5rSd8sbOkF24plI9KggOF_6kLD7ayigKGBaWK6d9EcgmlLk6rMAcj6AwHPs7fus0pWyUhGL5QGUVOuqkqOq0NbyxQ8Nb7X8IXm7Xh-7XtqJXiQskBFFk0BWd/s320/image15.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Genevieve and Erville Sowards delivering books sent by the Junior Department of Garfield Trinity Baptist Church to Paul Thuam Thang, principal of Zomi Theological School, Falam, Chin Hills, Burma. Garfield Trinity was Neil Sowards’ first church at Cleveland, Ohio. Photo taken March 1965. Garfield Trinity Baptist Church no longer exists. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p></div>Lwin Moehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07744752229286096883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3863369074070826888.post-31347022403218141492023-05-24T19:53:00.003-04:002023-05-24T19:54:15.069-04:00Friends of Burma, Inc. Newsletter Spring 2023<p>Dear friends, Spring is here once again, and we thank the Lord for His faithfulness and His provision. In this time of the year, everything around us become more alive and vibrant, pointing us to the creator who is in control of every season. The war in Ukraine continued and many people in Burma continued to suffer due to conflict inside the country. Many around the world are also suffering under various circumstances. We pray that these trying times will be over soon and hope will come again to those who are in the midst of the suffering season. We look around and see many things that are unsettling and worrisome, but we encourage ourselves in the Lord and carry on with the strength of our Creator. 2 Corinthians 5:7 tells us that “For we live by faith, not by sight”. We thank you for partnering with us to bring hope and healing to the people of Burma. Your generous gifts and prayers are greatly appreciated. </p><p><b>One of our board members wrote why she supports Friends of Burma:</b></p><p>My name is Naw May Pearl Cartee, and I am from Pathein, Myanmar. I was sponsored by a former missionary to Burma, to study at Judson College in Illinois. I am thankful for the scholarship from Judson College and the generous support of my sponsor and her friends as well as a wonderful Karen host family, through whom God has blessed me. I am also thankful for my education at Northern Illinois University and my awesome American host family, without whom I would not have finished my graduate study at NIU. My American host parents introduced me to Friends of Burma, and I learned about the great things that FOB has done for the people of Burma, such as supporting seminary students, providing financial assistance for clinics and hospitals to purchase needed medicines and equipment, providing for orphan children, for their daily meal and education, empowering women and men to get themselves out of poverty and have hope for the future, and many more. I am glad to be able to help my fellow country men and women. My gift may be small compared to the need in Burma, but I believe that God will bless it and use it. As I gladly receive help from others in my time of need, I also hope that I can be a channel of blessing to others, in their time of need.</p><p>We would like to share with you how your prayers and generous gifts have given hope to many who are suffering in Myanmar, also known as Burma. </p><p>Please continue to read the newsletter in PDF format on our <a href="http://friendsofburma.org/static/docs/newsletter_spring_2023.pdf">website</a>.</p><p><br /></p><p>Donate: <a href="http://friendsofburma.org/donate">http://friendsofburma.org/donate</a> </p><p><strong>Friends of Burma, Inc.</strong> <em>548 Home Ave. Ft. Wayne, IN 46807</em><br /><em>Tel. 260-745-3658, Email: president@friendsofburma.org<br />Website: <a href="http://friendsofburma.org/">http://friendsofburma.org</a>, Blog: <a href="http://blog.friendsofburma.org/">http://blog.friendsofburma.org</a></em><br /><em>E-Newsletters: <a href="http://news.friendsofburma.org/">http://news.friendsofburma.org</a></em></p><div><br /></div><p><br /></p>Lwin Moehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07744752229286096883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3863369074070826888.post-32252172232532108572023-01-07T10:28:00.006-05:002023-01-07T10:51:52.846-05:00Friends of Burma Annual Report 2022<div style="text-align: center;"><strong style="text-align: center;">Friends of Burma, Inc.</strong><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><em style="text-align: center;">548 Home Ave. Ft. Wayne, IN 46807</em></div><em><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Tel. 260-745-3658, Email: president@friendsofburma.org</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Website: <a href="https://friendsofburma.org/">friendsofburma.org</a>, Blog: <a href="http://blog.friendsofburma.org/">http://blog.friendsofburma.org</a></em></div></em><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><em>E-Newsletters: <a href="http://news.friendsofburma.org/">http://news.friendsofburma.org</a></em></div><p style="text-align: left;">Recently I was reading ProPublica, a news station, on my computer. They were talking about how to evaluate a nonprofit before you donate. Although we are a small charity, we are proud of careful handling of the money our donors send us. Here are some of the ways to evaluate us.</p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Look at our <a href="https://friendsofburma.org/annualreports/">990 form filed online</a>.</li><li>Check our IRS status. We are a 501(C)(3) charity and all donations are tax deductable.</li><li>Program spending: Check <a href="https://friendsofburma.org/">our website</a> to see how your donations are being spent.</li><li>Professional fund raising. FOB spends no money on professional fund raising.</li><li>Executive Salaries. All work in the U. S. is done by volunteers who receive no compensation. They also spend their own money to attend our Annual Meeting. We do have a paid Financial Secretary in Burma who distributes funds.</li><li>Advertising Expenses. FOB spends zero for advertising.</li></ol><p style="text-align: left;">Overhead: Our overhead for 2022 was $5,102 mainly for our three newsletters--postage and printing. Also for our Financial Secretary in Burma. So our overhead is 0.8% of our income (less than 1%) There are very few organizations with overhead that is less than 1%. This is one of the lowest in the U. S.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnfwjsI7_SRmJioP5p2F77VA1iu5wew3sI2aZYBsLqlXFMvbPF7Bj_34plDR9M9mMblEI6feuq0rrO3YFxDzy7AlofErpEswDmiJLeoznu7lgELrivlHjYmu1wWvE033kj994fG4o6mLcLP3-dwsU_91ACZgfhtDGE2hmqQixsjprHxoGpt-zosex9mQ/s1024/image1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnfwjsI7_SRmJioP5p2F77VA1iu5wew3sI2aZYBsLqlXFMvbPF7Bj_34plDR9M9mMblEI6feuq0rrO3YFxDzy7AlofErpEswDmiJLeoznu7lgELrivlHjYmu1wWvE033kj994fG4o6mLcLP3-dwsU_91ACZgfhtDGE2hmqQixsjprHxoGpt-zosex9mQ/w400-h225/image1.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karen refugees fleeing Burmese aerial attacks. Photo courtesy Free Burma Rangers.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>It has been a very difficult year for our friends in Myanmar (Burma). Since the coup by the military generals in February 2021 there has been constant fighting by ethnic groups and the general Burmese population. Many houses have been burned and over a million persons have become IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons). Inflation has been rampant with the kyat falling from 1500 to 2950. Our donors have really responded to their needs.</p><p>FOB in 2022 received $695,704. This includes $122,405 from likeminded organizations whom we help carry out their mission ministries.</p><p>We sent $63,149. to support the nine orphanages which means support for 175 orphans. Two of the orphanages we support have had to flee to rural villages to escape the fighting. We have sent $25,977 in Humanitarian Aid and more will be allotted at our annual meeting in February 2023.</p><p>Because of the Civil War and virus, most of our efforts have been directed to keeping people and institutions alive and hospitals functioning.</p><p>One board member raised over $9,000 by getting sponsors for her 100 meter race for a generator of Matthew 25 Love Hospital in Pathein.</p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p><b>Alternative Christmas Gifts</b>. This year FOB continued its program of Alternative Christmas giving which is $50 to a very poor person or family. Here is one report:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_iw3wafQ4jbLzlUJFb3-jITmnVIEZFis_GJl10X-PO998rvjUWR92i71IDj03HzpYhgjfx9WSKuLIJ85X_rVZ81gaWQd_RCwe8iZqP-Qq-8tnL65Zc23m1dxDd6a7sfQSzZ7ESsPaC29g20dGUzCjaNctnOigudLIScxq6KxUauwT_uemqTdgURuYXA/s320/image2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_iw3wafQ4jbLzlUJFb3-jITmnVIEZFis_GJl10X-PO998rvjUWR92i71IDj03HzpYhgjfx9WSKuLIJ85X_rVZ81gaWQd_RCwe8iZqP-Qq-8tnL65Zc23m1dxDd6a7sfQSzZ7ESsPaC29g20dGUzCjaNctnOigudLIScxq6KxUauwT_uemqTdgURuYXA/s1600/image2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;"><b>Naw Myint Nwe </b>lives in Byin Nyar village, Hinthada Township. She is 39 years old and has 5 boys, the eldest one is 17 years old and the youngest boy is 1 year old. Her husband was suicide last year because of a depression issue. She was 7 months pregnant and has 4 boys when her husband left her. Now her eldest son goes to the Yangon and works as a waiter in a small restaurant. The second son is dropping out of school and working as a daily wage worker in his village. The rest 2 boys are attending primary school in the village and the youngest one is still an infant age. So Naw Myint Nwe could not work for a family income. </p><p></p><p>Her 2 sons can support the family with only 100000 kyats ($67) per month but for some months only 80000ks ($53.) because his salary is only 150000Ks per month. The second son, 14 years old, can support his family as much as he can. So when we went to her house with her pastor her youngest son was sick and she had no cash in her hands. People, in her surrounding, also help her family as much as they can. So when I gave the Christmas gift (150000 Ks-$50) from FOB to her family, I explained about the gift. She was so happy about the unexpected gift and said words of thanks to FOB. After that, I prayed for her family and came back to the pastor’s house. Naw Myint Nwe received the Christmas gift on 20thNovember 29, 2022. Naw P. G.</p><p><b>MIT</b> Report from Myanmar Institute of Theology (MIT) is the highest level Baptist school in Burma which also trains leaders from other denominations. Because of the virus, it has not had physical classes the last two years and therefore no income. Fortunately FOB was able to give $10,000 and a couple on FOB’s board gave $11,000 which enabled MIT to give its teachers half pay which helped keep them from looking for jobs elsewhere.</p><p><b>Self Help Groups</b>. Naw Paw Gaw continues to form groups of women into self help groups so they can learn about business and earn money for their families.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPv3ngLRm9BjIZsTGVfI1Ak3iMQy25hzqEujJ62mqqQc3LEFVl5eBr1W5V0bb8HXfLqSKIrbZhJ-jgvlgqb292aCsl3oYJ1NvZALKvc_jcZoq1ezBxecRQxrC620RiTWbV9yshCH0O6_ozwLqa7gSp2RWJ4rhLadd4uprus9WHAeyAQyw4KOIulM1KEA/s854/image3.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="854" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPv3ngLRm9BjIZsTGVfI1Ak3iMQy25hzqEujJ62mqqQc3LEFVl5eBr1W5V0bb8HXfLqSKIrbZhJ-jgvlgqb292aCsl3oYJ1NvZALKvc_jcZoq1ezBxecRQxrC620RiTWbV9yshCH0O6_ozwLqa7gSp2RWJ4rhLadd4uprus9WHAeyAQyw4KOIulM1KEA/w400-h200/image3.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Naw Rosemy George, a member of a self help group, with her raising pig’s project.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><b>Aid to Mission Field.</b> A Chin couple reports: </p><p>We are told that the people who live in the mission field of Sayama Aye Aye Taw are facing a very difficult situation. Because of the factories which are shut down, many people near Shwe Pyi Thar became jobless and some houses did not even have rice to eat.</p><p>We heard that some parents in Shwe Pyi Thar are giving away even their children to others to adopt.</p><p>My husband and I decided to go there and distribute it in cash. This time we did not want to distribute rice bags because we heard that some rice distributors in Shwe Pyi Thar were reported and arrested. Distributing rice bags is very obvious and attracts many people.</p><p>We went there and Sayama invited 32 households to her house, one person from each house. My husband encouraged them with the Word of God for about 30 minutes. He gave them moral and spiritual support, not to give up.</p><p>After encouraging them, we distributed each of them one envelope which has 10,000 MMK. ($3.30) We gave the mission center 50,000 MMK. The taxi fee is 30,000. Please kindly see some pictures.</p><p>They were very very happy to receive the cash. Some of them are taking medicine for kidney, lung, liver etc. They said the cash was very helpful to buy medicine. According to them, some families are hardly eating one meal a day. </p><p>My husband and I were happy to see their joyful faces. </p><p style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-uDxr8kmuHSkQ9P5xBM3dYiviAE20DE98Oj9b8DqAF3TS5NcYhxvSQ-Q6L086FzZIJwwzFEezl6tXHWrJ1XeWRAFYPSw1dOzGxPC7VBntC2ms9N6lDBM2tBexeGeX-b0_a3MP-W2bYOA5Cs7nG9tsNrTr2VRZR1yt-a3NdenCUJrMndJRlMrM-XhCg/s2000/image4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1488" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-uDxr8kmuHSkQ9P5xBM3dYiviAE20DE98Oj9b8DqAF3TS5NcYhxvSQ-Q6L086FzZIJwwzFEezl6tXHWrJ1XeWRAFYPSw1dOzGxPC7VBntC2ms9N6lDBM2tBexeGeX-b0_a3MP-W2bYOA5Cs7nG9tsNrTr2VRZR1yt-a3NdenCUJrMndJRlMrM-XhCg/w298-h400/image4.jpeg" width="298" /></a></p><p style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt0tQQnw6pZJriG_gf83NFJ9URuv86xr_JgBpfCCSzgddgiXMXx6V4oarh8ReDVJlxxAl2O4aHY7b1qwVghtJShKJkJgl9Ewtmo5e9PRmRB92zDPhN2ZuLME6PL2F9BcmaFl2Mtc0TCucwx4JmdpBicNWcaS9deXXfRiEaV3fPUdP_52aNTk1zehLRVg/s798/image5.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="798" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt0tQQnw6pZJriG_gf83NFJ9URuv86xr_JgBpfCCSzgddgiXMXx6V4oarh8ReDVJlxxAl2O4aHY7b1qwVghtJShKJkJgl9Ewtmo5e9PRmRB92zDPhN2ZuLME6PL2F9BcmaFl2Mtc0TCucwx4JmdpBicNWcaS9deXXfRiEaV3fPUdP_52aNTk1zehLRVg/w400-h301/image5.jpeg" width="400" /></a></p><p><b>Sowards Scholarships.</b> The Erville and Genevieve Sowards Memorial Scholarships were given to 36 students at MIT. Each received 100,000 kyats. ($66.00). Three hundred and ninety one students all across Burma received this scholarship last September.</p><p><b>Refugee Relief Supplies.</b> Christians are helping those without food which FOB pays for but they have to buy and take the risk of giving it out.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><b>WISH LIST</b></p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Glasses for a Bible School student ………… $25.00</li><li>A woman wants to take the MDiv program at MIT so she can go into ministry. She is recommended by a professor ………….…… $424.00 </li><li>Supplemental rice and oil for destitute families ………… $40.00</li><li>Humanitarian support to associations helping IDP’s ………… $500.00</li><li>Scholarship aid to needy students ………………… $150.00</li><li>Orphan sponsorship for one year (this is a supplement and doesn’t cover all expenses…..$360.00</li><li>Medical supplies to small clinics .…………. $500.00</li><li>Starting a self help group for women to learn business ……………. $300.00</li></ol><p></p><p><b>Why I support Friends of Burma.</b></p><p>When I married Neil I did not know what giving was. Everything I learned about generosity came from Neil, especially after we returned from our first visit to Burma in 1985. It has been such a joy raising funds to help the hardworking Burmese, who do such a good job with so few resources. They truly know how to help the poor, sick, and downtrodden people of Burma. I support Friends of Burma because I know practically every penny is spent in the most careful way possible. You have only to see the reports sent to us to know that FOB is meeting important needs in the most cost effective way. <i>Diana Sowards</i></p><p><b>Please tell your friends.</b> We hope you will be satisfied with FOB and this Annual Report. Please tell your friends and churches and organizations about the work we do. An electronic version is available that is easy to pass on. Request it from neildianasowards@gmail.com</p><p>Check out our website: <a href="http://friendsofburma.org">http://friendsofburma.org</a></p><p>This newsletter was compiled by Neil & Diana Sowards.</p><p>Neil is working on a book “When God Was Most Real to Me.” If you are interested in passing on your religious experiences to the next generation, please contact Neil Sowards. </p><p>My story is that Diana and I went to Burma in 1985. We expected that we were just adding number 34 to the list of countries visited. But God had other plans. God spoke to me in Rangoon and told me He wanted me to get involved with helping the Burmese. He told me to listen! I heard ministers sorrowfully saying their sons wanted to be a minister but they could not afford to send him to school. So I asked God, “Do you want me to establish a scholarship fund for minister’s children?” God answered, “Yes!” “But God,” I answered, “It would take a hundred thousand dollars just to make a dent in the problem.” “Two!” God answered. “Two hundred thousand dollars! I don’t know anyone I could ask for that kind of money!” “Don’t ask anyone. Raise it yourself! I’ve given you a real ability to make money. Use it!” </p><p>So Diana and I founded Friends of Burma. We have given, through Myanmar Baptist Convention, over 11,000 scholarships to children of ministers. And we have been able to do more and more each year. We have been joined by a board of sixteen very dedicated persons who give generously of their time and money. Plus we have over six hundred faithful donors who give regularly to help the Burmese. So God was most real to me in that hotel room in Burma when He told me to redirect my life and do His work. It had been a very fulfilling journey!!!</p><p>Years later, I was walking on Seminary Hill in Insein, Burma. An approaching woman stopped me and asked, “You’re Neil Sowards?” “Yes,” I acknowledged. “My husband was a pastor and we have three sons. He died. Each of my sons wanted to go into the ministry but we had no money. One son got a Sowards Scholarship from MICT. Another got at Sowards Scholarship from KBTS. And my third son got a Sowards Scholarship from MIT. Thank You!”</p><p>So please share with me how God has been real to you so we can pass it on.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEydcY9SeJRe9vpaCwmC6oJJvPZeasgjTQ9OU6bpgN1-oUJ7ymVVxWZke8cEbjkY7yPr6IliOTqFsFwwAJO--luHpdklAT1Vd4jKmD6RFA07hc7q3utyr7K1l8Icy76mC1IWN9PndGhJBGGG1Z7cZDgqqtSfiHNxOhb04uJhgDbXYMxS-_njnnGwIWyg/s1024/image6.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEydcY9SeJRe9vpaCwmC6oJJvPZeasgjTQ9OU6bpgN1-oUJ7ymVVxWZke8cEbjkY7yPr6IliOTqFsFwwAJO--luHpdklAT1Vd4jKmD6RFA07hc7q3utyr7K1l8Icy76mC1IWN9PndGhJBGGG1Z7cZDgqqtSfiHNxOhb04uJhgDbXYMxS-_njnnGwIWyg/w400-h225/image6.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karen Refugees hiding in cave from Burmese army. Photo courtesy Free Burma Rangers.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>We do not share our donors’ list with anyone! And, to keep our costs down, we do not send address labels, note cards, pens, pictures, etc.</p><p></p>Lwin Moehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07744752229286096883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3863369074070826888.post-45892147117515647552022-09-17T10:16:00.003-04:002022-09-17T10:22:26.131-04:00Friends of Burma, Inc. Newsletter Fall 2022<p><b>Fund Raising for Matthew 25 Clinic</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzBQEeEytlIGIsryvtXMeHY6ULhSD8Y7xVWCC2ksq-AB17QI3OaltbeZoo5RoVc5fXvINOyMF8dZbYRJq9wxzHb1W4FqFinRJQawTUFR0VUpT4gSXFKqozzKBaAgX2-kAd3j4CB8FpKPAyuObfaXbdGiRtC6EgTWDHqpdZ7Gb2fG57XqAoWMjXGcFFDw/s612/diana.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="415" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzBQEeEytlIGIsryvtXMeHY6ULhSD8Y7xVWCC2ksq-AB17QI3OaltbeZoo5RoVc5fXvINOyMF8dZbYRJq9wxzHb1W4FqFinRJQawTUFR0VUpT4gSXFKqozzKBaAgX2-kAd3j4CB8FpKPAyuObfaXbdGiRtC6EgTWDHqpdZ7Gb2fG57XqAoWMjXGcFFDw/w271-h400/diana.jpg" width="271" /></a></div><p>On June 11,2022, our FOB Co-founder, <b>Diana Sowards</b> ran a 100-meter race for the age group of 80-84 in Evansville, Indiana, Senior Games and got a medal. She started training for the race in December 2021 at the YMCA. She is an amazing woman. There was a fund raising project for a large generator for the Matthew 25 Love clinic in Pathein. Due to an outpouring of love and affection, $9,970 was raised. It went toward the $15,000 needed for this clinic - which functions as a hospital - making it possible to have power during surgery. Matthew 25 was facing a hard time because power shortage due to the country's situation. The fund was quickly transferred to Pathein. Please be sure to read the feedback from the clinic in the next page to see what a blessing. </p><p>Diana just wishes she could run a race for other great needs for IDP children who are living in the jungle on the borders of India and Thailand. Thank you very much Diana for such an inspiration and all the supporters for making this happen!!</p><p><b>Meet Our Newest Board Member</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPBzyjvsN65C8phIlpld3BPZkLel6EYYAvj0acLrOfjSOPbSKcfkK3GZdD_b1NRkFyFSgqUwtmQ1oQzc-hlL153avfzcoPv9ARRi8TFgYf7ZuX57dbCEjgD5SrDGqKAZaK_9VuaubotR7Ku4qh25LKnhCoo7B-1fi6OD3vx6UqJKTKbETULVtK2-X3Dw/s299/kanyaw_paw.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="249" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPBzyjvsN65C8phIlpld3BPZkLel6EYYAvj0acLrOfjSOPbSKcfkK3GZdD_b1NRkFyFSgqUwtmQ1oQzc-hlL153avfzcoPv9ARRi8TFgYf7ZuX57dbCEjgD5SrDGqKAZaK_9VuaubotR7Ku4qh25LKnhCoo7B-1fi6OD3vx6UqJKTKbETULVtK2-X3Dw/s1600/kanyaw_paw.jpg" width="249" /></a></div><p>Please, welcome our FOB new board member <b>Kanyaw Paw Tha</b> from Ottawa, Canada. Kanyaw is a Karen and grew up in Yangon, Burma and she was an active member of Cole Karen Baptist church. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Yangon University and Master’s degree of Conflict Transformation from Eastern Mennonite University in Virginia. She worked for World Concern (Myanmar) and after that joined Hope International development agency. </p><p>Kanyaw is married to Dylan Chain, a Karen ethnic officer from the Royal Canadian Navy. She moved to Canada in 2015.</p><p>We would like to thank Kanyaw Paw Tha for her commitment to serve as a board member of FOB.</p><div><b>Congratulations!</b></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW-GVq26JckNuWHaxMKv-UpmZKB1VCqwZCepTp2Oig8pPg6csJ0MZOWwz6xlAR-fD2UD7J85QIL_POM3mVZk5Yl65nEhnlp2GVtV_binNQSj5UPsuFkBWgK-6E50pp-rYuqmKBdxl3V-VeZ1B5nv_EKCj9E-1DBEoC1cBr9fRO6uTrrksJLB5naKP77Q/s665/image3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="442" data-original-width="665" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW-GVq26JckNuWHaxMKv-UpmZKB1VCqwZCepTp2Oig8pPg6csJ0MZOWwz6xlAR-fD2UD7J85QIL_POM3mVZk5Yl65nEhnlp2GVtV_binNQSj5UPsuFkBWgK-6E50pp-rYuqmKBdxl3V-VeZ1B5nv_EKCj9E-1DBEoC1cBr9fRO6uTrrksJLB5naKP77Q/w400-h266/image3.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><b>Nay Tar Mu Kwee</b> was awarded a Doctorate degree from Central Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas in May 2022. It was a great achievement as she was able to successfully complete the Doctorate program in four years given that she grew up and lived in a Karen refugee camp until she came to America! She has become an inspiration to many Karen girls in the US who grew up in the camp and struggle in the US educational system. Prior to coming to America, Nay Tar Mu served as academic staff at Kaw Thoolei Karen Baptist Bible School and College (KKBBSC). She looks forward to going back to teaching at KKBBSC as well as serving the refugee community on Thai-Myanmar border. Nay Tar Mu would like to express her heartfelt thanks to FOB and all the friends for supporting her to reach her goal. </div><div><br /></div><div><div><b>The Power from the New Generator</b></div><div><i>May the good Lord bless you and guide you always. May God also bless all the FOB members. We are very grateful to you for </i><i>your love and kindness. Now we have bought a generator and started using it at Matthew 25 Clinic. The total cost for the generator is 38,400,000 kyats (roughly USD 20,000). It is 100 kva. It is now very useful for our clinic. We also extend 8 beds for patients. I want to let you know that the women department reopened a community health helper course (nurse aid training) on July 1,2022 with 30 students. Outstanding students' hostels reopened. Now I would like to show some pictures.</i></div></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggswkB_VvzNdUDB2xvRCZTRIIfD-iMAe-L61XM2HDcvxiLAmziOpl_jrYcquVqO4zsW3YUoEVugAAyphegIqRBMl8tyQFvGFoogRQioYEr47sDorR1uMjVybMopS0_qncdGa6ge2QNxQ9FgkeexvK4P4VNbO8q09EeaJzNbRuGSETaH41U6tC7R-DK-Q/s4160/generator.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3120" data-original-width="4160" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggswkB_VvzNdUDB2xvRCZTRIIfD-iMAe-L61XM2HDcvxiLAmziOpl_jrYcquVqO4zsW3YUoEVugAAyphegIqRBMl8tyQFvGFoogRQioYEr47sDorR1uMjVybMopS0_qncdGa6ge2QNxQ9FgkeexvK4P4VNbO8q09EeaJzNbRuGSETaH41U6tC7R-DK-Q/w400-h300/generator.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The generator</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9kWBVDo95x62ivFd_5_U6lyVt00ItzYt3lT1UKIUUsEqKieGz_rcyRAYkGOBJDXqubn1eYKkSzZoKjXJNf55jLZLB8wHR1qRWJ_okbPFji8v8SsECHY4BYxp0JJ1bpNTDlNLkZi0ILYA10KhTxAfUgaglIcZQcWYWEBIJfxV07waaBBmiclY5KDZMDA/s750/nurse_training.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="561" data-original-width="750" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9kWBVDo95x62ivFd_5_U6lyVt00ItzYt3lT1UKIUUsEqKieGz_rcyRAYkGOBJDXqubn1eYKkSzZoKjXJNf55jLZLB8wHR1qRWJ_okbPFji8v8SsECHY4BYxp0JJ1bpNTDlNLkZi0ILYA10KhTxAfUgaglIcZQcWYWEBIJfxV07waaBBmiclY5KDZMDA/w400-h299/nurse_training.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nursing Aid Training Reopening</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><div><i>With sincere regards,</i></div><div><b><i>Moo Ler Gay</i></b></div><div><i>General Secretary </i></div><div><i>Karen Baptist Churches in Pathein</i></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div><b>Empowering Women</b></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitcfbnWwuP3D9H_llJjG5pysdpThQbnHPEmGkwGjlIRH64a7xn-qAQPiH7sPTyjgerISpSx2ia5dsGxhx1M6nVnMjp7yKJ4gu_iCSyuZmk_ie6XmTtvy2Rn6bXkDzDpYwW-SnpZ6zq3vPmrtof70tcOfcgd_gs7JrLTmZIfwRbi4uWngF9AQeNHz8XRA/s370/image6.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="284" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitcfbnWwuP3D9H_llJjG5pysdpThQbnHPEmGkwGjlIRH64a7xn-qAQPiH7sPTyjgerISpSx2ia5dsGxhx1M6nVnMjp7yKJ4gu_iCSyuZmk_ie6XmTtvy2Rn6bXkDzDpYwW-SnpZ6zq3vPmrtof70tcOfcgd_gs7JrLTmZIfwRbi4uWngF9AQeNHz8XRA/w308-h400/image6.jpeg" width="308" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkPo7-SEm0l0fXbQSzsFNLvO3fZ6KhuDRNUmQ3UTCcngyYLGm4EQJNOSShi8_DWk-bMVqDOQ76LXY2HYCeGWwDyQA58sAAimDHAde9C27wNnDbMGp-lc8NVEPjWmaVdc1QzdNZufLemdafDQTOTs2yb13Z6g3qYB6bTzIZv1SezWb7NQMGOdrRrJyjCA/s320/image7.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkPo7-SEm0l0fXbQSzsFNLvO3fZ6KhuDRNUmQ3UTCcngyYLGm4EQJNOSShi8_DWk-bMVqDOQ76LXY2HYCeGWwDyQA58sAAimDHAde9C27wNnDbMGp-lc8NVEPjWmaVdc1QzdNZufLemdafDQTOTs2yb13Z6g3qYB6bTzIZv1SezWb7NQMGOdrRrJyjCA/w400-h300/image7.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>In partnership with FOB, Women Empowerment Program (WEP) in Yangon provides training and seed money to form self-help groups for women. Here is how the program works. First, WEP organizes women to participate in group work through Poh Karen Baptist churches. The participants buy raw materials from the market and sell them to the women groups in the churches who are in rural areas. These women make soap liquid, Balm, and some healthy traditional lotion and sell them to the church's members. With the profits of these activities, they can support a few elderly persons from Hinthada–Danapyu zone area churches. Moreover, they can support a sewing trainee who needs support for training fees. This year they have a plan for producing sewing products at their headquarters. They will create a new activity for income generation. They get 1 sewing machine and 1 Beading machine and they will operate this business with two young ladies who need a job for income. Please see the stories of the participants below. For privacy, we are leaving their names out.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><div><b>Participant one:</b> rents a shop at Thar Yar Aye Market and sells traditional snacks. She also makes soap liquid and sells it her shop as well as houses. She takes a loan from her church loan program to start her business. In her time of trouble, she receives support from FOB through her church to continue her business to which she is very grateful for. Her husband is a driver and they have 4 children, who are all students.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNfqYHhjC8jrYRcHbixKsc3EAW0H8jrERPkfTLlHXwJixbXD3XxNbK9jI9V2OezO3_ZFSKS7A2xo8LYLvRLSATKENDyxcpZOVLU-q-MOkE_DvgIKNFw51d8eTvq8Tx_sUIMHqRJGkL6_7-Sswy_T976Nk-NQmpZvATI81x2hd0JCdhoPlE0PB4aFqQzg/s320/image8.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNfqYHhjC8jrYRcHbixKsc3EAW0H8jrERPkfTLlHXwJixbXD3XxNbK9jI9V2OezO3_ZFSKS7A2xo8LYLvRLSATKENDyxcpZOVLU-q-MOkE_DvgIKNFw51d8eTvq8Tx_sUIMHqRJGkL6_7-Sswy_T976Nk-NQmpZvATI81x2hd0JCdhoPlE0PB4aFqQzg/w300-h400/image8.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Participant 1</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div> <b>Participant two:</b> lives in Wah kare’ Village, Ayeyar- waddy Division. She is a women leader in her church and is also willing to help other women who have talents in sewing for their income for their families. She wants to help her women's community to realize their gifts and skills to generate extra income. Now she starts to sew preschool dresses and also make embroidery.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIls_98eYutgDchlVhx5pndUltVLMafztfAipTd3H0_5OGMCA5hgmuGRUNbVW0ew2b6c8iJe4vQfTCW5orXGmmuNNl-sj6qRdm64cwq7t4nwAMUcr4mbEX0qeXa7aRq1baN3ds_nk-kEWzWqTBn6ChfHFG2FwGbHNjk60hRAPIaqVYK4-exfnGtlzb2w/s348/image9.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="348" data-original-width="281" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIls_98eYutgDchlVhx5pndUltVLMafztfAipTd3H0_5OGMCA5hgmuGRUNbVW0ew2b6c8iJe4vQfTCW5orXGmmuNNl-sj6qRdm64cwq7t4nwAMUcr4mbEX0qeXa7aRq1baN3ds_nk-kEWzWqTBn6ChfHFG2FwGbHNjk60hRAPIaqVYK4-exfnGtlzb2w/w323-h400/image9.jpeg" width="323" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Participant 2</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><b>Participant three:</b> lives in Nyaung Lay Bin village, Taik Kyi. She is married and has twin daughters, 8 years old. Her husband is attending the seminary at KBTS and also helping her in farm activities. She is breeding 3 pigs for extra income because she has to take care of her 2 parents at home. She has been successful in breeding pigs and she got profits from the pigs breeding.</div></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigcs1hD1JwE5UiMKjvO_69F6XIgwczi70Aukp2XUAmODrNNSwrPbj7pxfm6DrK3TkPtv_ntt4euJMrUVcoR-_t6kXHqZY8jgdDzk1iHCgx28Pg4xdIG4F2pgyG802BYsRtLlDUstUNaAosGwVonlNV8pSNNPoPIRLlU5a83zIG97sprlhWVS-qRhhOIw/s320/image10.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigcs1hD1JwE5UiMKjvO_69F6XIgwczi70Aukp2XUAmODrNNSwrPbj7pxfm6DrK3TkPtv_ntt4euJMrUVcoR-_t6kXHqZY8jgdDzk1iHCgx28Pg4xdIG4F2pgyG802BYsRtLlDUstUNaAosGwVonlNV8pSNNPoPIRLlU5a83zIG97sprlhWVS-qRhhOIw/w300-h400/image10.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Participant 3</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><div><b>FOB Board News</b></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>The annual meeting for FOB Executive Committee</b> was held via ZOOM on Feb 19, 2022. Thanks to technology, FOMGB representatives and some partners from Myanmar were able to join the meeting together for the first time. The meeting minutes are now available on our website. </li><li>On April 18, 2022, two board members and Neil and Diana got together to talk seriously about how to eventually put Friends of Burma into a more 21st century method of keeping records. Volunteer board members, Ms. Eh Moo Hmun, and Mr. Htaw Htoo discussed strategies for electronic record keeping. The good news is that Neil and Diana are doing okay. The bad news is that we can do better. As 84 and 83 year olds, the couple feel technologically challenged. Htaw Htoo, who has put uncounted hours into submitting our 990 yearly forms electronically, balancing records of donations, and records of giving in Burma, is, together with Eh Moo, working on how to make our record keeping up to date, while still recognizing that Neil and Diana are not computer skilled. We pledge to you that we are doing our best to be completely transparent and accurate. All of us are still working to help people in Burma, while assuring that all funds are given to the needy. We appreciate your patience and your support.</li></ul></div></div><div><div><b>Orphanage Updates</b></div><div><b>Chit Myittar Orphanage Care Shelter</b> in Dee Maw Soe Kayah state, which housed 30 children, was relocated to the village far away from the township for safety since March 2021. Twenty two children have been moved to Taungoo township, Ywar Thit Village because the place is safer for them and the villagers also take a good care for them. The remaining 8 were moved to Yangon to study life skills training. Please see Wish List in you are interested in providing financial supports.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvmufICb1KqILOlaSnFAD8LlSyPSHOXQtg8q-x0PQEkG80x-oe5SRp_3ZXdVpcEr2PrJlS_fHRtJnG4yVVN9a0NZ2sKWL1b2AUxaJu4bqRDPdUHh3miszWWXH0DQvps7k53KQz2fXKM5lo-kkpoioFP-kS9pBYc-q23afadksU1ihtq34ui1XGvpf_pA/s659/image14.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="495" data-original-width="659" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvmufICb1KqILOlaSnFAD8LlSyPSHOXQtg8q-x0PQEkG80x-oe5SRp_3ZXdVpcEr2PrJlS_fHRtJnG4yVVN9a0NZ2sKWL1b2AUxaJu4bqRDPdUHh3miszWWXH0DQvps7k53KQz2fXKM5lo-kkpoioFP-kS9pBYc-q23afadksU1ihtq34ui1XGvpf_pA/w400-h300/image14.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chit Myittar Orphanage Care Shelter</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><b>Naw Yeh Paw</b> who grew up in Htee Moo Htaw Ber orphanage care shelter has graduated with Master’s of Divinity from Karen Baptist Theological Seminary in Yangon. She has gone back to the shelter, located in Thandaunggyi Township, Kayin State, to serve as a supervisor and care taker. At the moment, all of the government school are closed in Thandaunggyi, so, they are doing home school learning with the freelance teachers and they are learning English and other subjects. There are 11 kids in the shelter.</div><div><b>Agape Orphanage Center</b> which is associated with Loikaw church in Kayah state has been facing many hardships these past years. From COVID 19 to the military coup followed by political and armed conflicts, people in the Kayah state have been living in fear. Now the orphanage center has become a temporary shelter for people who seek help and sanctuary due to the fighting. Only 7 children from the center can go back to school because of the country's situation. Dr. Mooler Htoo, director of the orphanage center, has expressed his heartfelt thank-you that they are very grateful for FOB’s continuing support that serves God by helping who needed. Let us keep continue to pray and help.</div><div><b>Kawthoolei Karen Baptist Churches’ (KKBC) orphanage/dormitory</b> has seen a spike in occupancy due to attacks by Myanmar military on villages on the Thai-Myanmar border. The new arrivals, mostly between 7-12, push the occupancy to 150 in the two dormitories. This puts tremendous pressure on KKBC to care for the children as support from NGOs is dwindling. KKBC is seeking financial support.</div></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh1l2QdJhoEBHdGe7SZToVq5YYDGU9xcJWPzfDIHS9nklfOP_eBO0LR30hLcoDr2dDm0fJRrcNgknJhS5JTeoH9-EzhMu5CIeCCmW6vnelAprS53mj7mv0uPRNxgQ2EiORV4kSap4N6FQZAGQTu1CuOdksaQS8fkf5TT3TLUv5N6zx1UmQ6FQQ9unYSw/s659/image15.tif" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="659" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh1l2QdJhoEBHdGe7SZToVq5YYDGU9xcJWPzfDIHS9nklfOP_eBO0LR30hLcoDr2dDm0fJRrcNgknJhS5JTeoH9-EzhMu5CIeCCmW6vnelAprS53mj7mv0uPRNxgQ2EiORV4kSap4N6FQZAGQTu1CuOdksaQS8fkf5TT3TLUv5N6zx1UmQ6FQQ9unYSw/w400-h268/image15.tif" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kawthoolei Karen Baptist Churches’ (KKBC) orphanage/dormitory</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><div><b>Dala Mission Trip</b></div><div>One of our partners in Yangon went on to a mission trip to Dala with financial support from one of FOB board members. Here is an excerpt from his own words.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBBDJZlSgcZvTemy3eovleDAOdKE9AoXdYW-7mW9vZqdYBCbmIoCht0dRFSQ3whHr7K3TTn8vihGA1jKOiL5tedHNSCZ_JHFEWdDGZgQ9ve_5FPLUAFoC57nZiiJdVrIUvqjDanrmXaLl5pFR2a5n-_CWGmfFHsemkj8KFxhzc32rGWtun0OZU4zAYDA/s443/thomas.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="443" data-original-width="443" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBBDJZlSgcZvTemy3eovleDAOdKE9AoXdYW-7mW9vZqdYBCbmIoCht0dRFSQ3whHr7K3TTn8vihGA1jKOiL5tedHNSCZ_JHFEWdDGZgQ9ve_5FPLUAFoC57nZiiJdVrIUvqjDanrmXaLl5pFR2a5n-_CWGmfFHsemkj8KFxhzc32rGWtun0OZU4zAYDA/w400-h400/thomas.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>I would like to tell you about our recent mission trip to Dala, one of the poorest towns in Yangon Division. As I have been in touch with a missionary and pastor in Dala, my family and I went to visit his family, his church (mission field), and his needy neighbors. For his small church, we bought and brought 10 hymn books (which include responsive readings). They were very happy to receive them. After I preached to them and prayed for them, my wife also talked to them individually and encouraged them. Among them, there were three women who were over 60. We gave them 10,000 each. Moreover, we gave 20,000 to a woman whose baby was sick. My children also had the opportunity to give some money (that they saved) to some children. I am happy that my children willingly gave all their pocket money to the needy children. In my report in March 2022, I mentioned that we gave 150,000 to help repair the well in Dala. It is the only one in the neighborhood. At that time, the well and the water pump were broken, but with your donation, it was repaired, and now it works very well. It is very easy to pump the water. My children even enjoyed doing it.</i></div></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgESIq_ByEnIWrcM51hiz7nWI1JyEtykS4B6UVkkeKdoUl2XvxHQ3fX8uHkGAuxpuHqbkUKgS7xvw3VWI9mY5gCG8YD4Q74UixShjTavqH24SW54IL-cg5XZZIpMkpfYrcD5HVGXG0PDQwFRskCZPVLw1Iw5dwNpOeQVQsv8WVRMbPcERkq3Gy2Np52JA/s440/kids.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="440" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgESIq_ByEnIWrcM51hiz7nWI1JyEtykS4B6UVkkeKdoUl2XvxHQ3fX8uHkGAuxpuHqbkUKgS7xvw3VWI9mY5gCG8YD4Q74UixShjTavqH24SW54IL-cg5XZZIpMkpfYrcD5HVGXG0PDQwFRskCZPVLw1Iw5dwNpOeQVQsv8WVRMbPcERkq3Gy2Np52JA/w400-h400/kids.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><p><b>WISH LIST</b>.</p><p>Please take a moment to review a variety of ministries below and pick one or two that touch your heart to support.</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Electric Lift for Myanmar Institute of Theology ... $14,000</li></ul><p></p>The following two items are from KBC Hospital<br /><ul><li>Oxygen plant for community … $10,000</li><li>Electro Cardiogram … $4,000</li></ul><ul><li>Educational expenses and laptop for Relocated Orphanages ... $1,200</li><li>Sponsor one orphan per year … $360</li><li>IDP Camps … $50+</li><li>KKBBSC Orphanage Center … $75+</li><li>Alternative Christmas gift … $50</li></ul><div>Your support of full amount or any portion would be a blessing. Please write a check payable to Friends of Burma or donate online using PayPal (<a href="https://friendsofburma.org/donate/">https://friendsofburma.org/donate/</a>). Please note that there is a processing fees, which we have to cover, if you use PayPal. If you want to use Zelle instead, please contact Neil and Diana.</div><p></p><p>FOB, tax ID 20-5572384, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and all donations are tax-deductible.</p><p><b>Do you have a Will?</b></p><p>If so, please consider Friends of Burma in your future plan to continue your favorite programs or projects. If not, we urge you to look into having one to have a say over your own legacy.</p><p>All the work of FOB is done by volunteers in the U. S. FOB has one paid staff member in Myanmar. Less than 2% of our income goes for overhead—most of which is for our one staff member in Myanmar and printing and distribution of our 3 annual newsletters.</p><p>This newsletter was written and compiled by Anna Maung and Adam Maung.</p><p>Donate: <a href="http://friendsofburma.org/donate">http://friendsofburma.org/donate</a> </p><p><strong>Friends of Burma, Inc.</strong> <em>548 Home Ave. Ft. Wayne, IN 46807</em><br /><em>Tel. 260-745-3658, Email: president@friendsofburma.org<br />Website: <a href="http://friendsofburma.org/">http://friendsofburma.org</a>, Blog: <a href="http://blog.friendsofburma.org/">http://blog.friendsofburma.org</a></em><br /><em>E-Newsletters: <a href="http://news.friendsofburma.org/">http://news.friendsofburma.org</a></em></p><div>Printable PDF version of this newsletter can be <a href="http://friendsofburma.org/static/docs/newsletter_fall_2022.pdf">downloaded from our website</a>.</div>Lwin Moehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07744752229286096883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3863369074070826888.post-89435290745962852302022-01-15T00:02:00.022-05:002022-01-15T14:06:29.570-05:00Friends of Burma Annual Report 2021<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Friends of Burma, Inc.</strong> <em>548 Home Ave. Ft. Wayne, IN 46807</em></div><em><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Tel. 260-745-3658, Email: president@friendsofburma.org</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Website: <a href="http://friendsofburma.org/">http://friendsofburma.org</a>, Blog: <a href="http://blog.friendsofburma.org/">http://blog.friendsofburma.org</a></em></div></em><em><div style="text-align: center;"><em>E-Newsletters: <a href="http://news.friendsofburma.org/">http://news.friendsofburma.org</a></em></div></em><p></p><p>This has been a terrible year for Myanmar. The country has been plunged into a civil war, unseen since 1948, because of the takeover in February of the democratically elected government by the military. Therefore, when Friends of Burma would ordinarily be sending donations primarily for education, instead we have sent thousands of dollars for humanitarian efforts, both for medical and for shelter and food.</p><p>We have sent over $50,000 to keep the two hospitals we support open when most of the other 34 hospitals in Yangon are closed. We have sent $21,745 for medical supplies, including oxygen tanks and oxygen concentrators and food. We have sent $33,825 to help IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons who have been forced to flee from the Burmese Army.)</p><p>We gave Friends of Myanmar Governing Board the usual $20,000 which they used for relief. We gave Myanmar Baptist Convention another $20,000 for scholarships for children of ministers and Christian workers. We helped the fifty three Bible schools with a grant of $12,990 which was divided among them. Because of the virus, these schools have been closed and so have no income. </p><p>We put out an urgent appeal to the 380 donors that we have e-mails for and they responded giving us $91,000. Without the help of our generous donors, we could not have responded so positively to the many needs. Thank all of you for your care and concern. Our financial agent and others are doing dangerous work because the soldiers are roaming the streets taking what they want, beating up anyone suspected of aiding the opposition, raping women and girls, and seizing food, medicine, oxygen tanks, and other needed supplies. Some times they burn the supplies. The volunteers, who do this, do it at great risk to themselves. Please remember these brave people in your prayers. </p><p><b>Hospital Support</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUTDrcXM8F5UzAhZSF2R35_8TkjAvjIMh7kDXgHdKcI-11GJG3tO5pQb9S9b2nUY-5wu7YPplG6TImM7_Vh6AuJIBZMpXLa3MncZtW3k7P9UGkWnm9Pf1DaSog5l3bTJDY0xljFC5oNE9lX7DWgmGXk3nXl1LBNg8jjQiLSVN3e25zr6_JvNBccrnrRA=s855" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="641" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUTDrcXM8F5UzAhZSF2R35_8TkjAvjIMh7kDXgHdKcI-11GJG3tO5pQb9S9b2nUY-5wu7YPplG6TImM7_Vh6AuJIBZMpXLa3MncZtW3k7P9UGkWnm9Pf1DaSog5l3bTJDY0xljFC5oNE9lX7DWgmGXk3nXl1LBNg8jjQiLSVN3e25zr6_JvNBccrnrRA=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><p>Here is why we support the two hospitals: “I am Naw Khu Wah Paw from Maw Bee Township. I got a motorcycle accident on 22nd February 2021 with my son and one person who hit us. I was injured, at my head and cervical. Then the villagers sent us to Yangon for the referral. But no hospital accepts us due to we three got severely injured. Then, the villagers referred us to the military hospital and, the hospital did not accept us. Lastly, one of the villagers made a phone call to KBC hospital. The hospital replied that they will see it first and decide it as we were severely injured. Then, we were brought, to the hospital. Firstly, the hospital arranged for my son (Saw Law Eh) and then the others. The two of us were tested for CT scans and accepted as inpatients. After accepting me as an inpatient, I have to do a cervical X-ray test too. Then the hospital found out that, I got a cervical fracture and has to do an operation. And according to the order of the specialist, I finished my operation and could sit now. For head injury, I took further treatment as ordered by the neuro specialist. After my recovery, I heard from the hospital management team arranged things for my treatment cost. I thank God for providing me my life again. And I thank FOB well-wishers for supporting me in my treatment. Without these well-wishers’ support, I will not get back my life too. With all of your supports, I could sit now. Please pray for me to get well and rehabilitate soon.”</p><p><b>Humanitarian Relief</b>. Report from a distributor of Relief Supplies. (Edited.)</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9pHDcp2kxqiPgvvgvtAg2IJ_kitaa0OLXNuFsqjgem580geHDQlW847qnVSM_pFAONrorTLo1a9D6285cdQtTnQcM4lGWxmjm-ZyE3yM-R-JHC26TjgWvbnK458t3nIvIdi2ka7yzpIiUZ6jhb_Gl9pYAFmDsQof2WnMagOKqKAFXtEATmjGiE-Pxzw=s854" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="854" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9pHDcp2kxqiPgvvgvtAg2IJ_kitaa0OLXNuFsqjgem580geHDQlW847qnVSM_pFAONrorTLo1a9D6285cdQtTnQcM4lGWxmjm-ZyE3yM-R-JHC26TjgWvbnK458t3nIvIdi2ka7yzpIiUZ6jhb_Gl9pYAFmDsQof2WnMagOKqKAFXtEATmjGiE-Pxzw=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas Celebration in my Church.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiTaRboMjR5vxEovyFfvx-ksM7QVDBcs3l8vgQ5vQvtd6OR3eetOueoJo5-BF1TZ-7-hQmdHWY_e19OzUKb1QcXNZ_MHfmvMbM-9Ohy6k67ivrt8ltw2Mms734fK_tbmo9E-QuU3d64rBHPBHg1d9wg6Q6JqDDx1pNGZ6cZPZY8HnZskx7A3KLbBETI8A=s730" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="730" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiTaRboMjR5vxEovyFfvx-ksM7QVDBcs3l8vgQ5vQvtd6OR3eetOueoJo5-BF1TZ-7-hQmdHWY_e19OzUKb1QcXNZ_MHfmvMbM-9Ohy6k67ivrt8ltw2Mms734fK_tbmo9E-QuU3d64rBHPBHg1d9wg6Q6JqDDx1pNGZ6cZPZY8HnZskx7A3KLbBETI8A=w400-h248" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Needy Families with Rice and Cooking Oil.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>I led Christmas worship programs at two locations: an IDP camp and my church. I gave 23 bags of rice and 23 bottles of cooking oil to the more needy at IDP camp. I also distributed 20 bags of rice and 20 bottles of cooking oil to 20 needy families in my church. At the Christmas celebrations, I invited not only Christians but also non-Christians and had the opportunity to share the good news of Jesus Christ with them. I am very grateful for your donation which I used as Christmas gifts to the needy. (Name edited out.) </div><div>(This report was compiled by Neil & Diana Sowards.)</div><div><br /></div><div><div><b>Another Report</b>: </div><div>Dear FOB donors, </div><div>Please let me take the time to express gratitude. I am extremely grateful to you for your kind heart especially for your loving care and deep concern upon the current needy (IDPs) at Kayah state. As this is the urgent need, I had run for it as soon as possible and just got home yesterday and have a chance to write to you now. </div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you so much for the donation (Total - 300,000 MMK) in supporting the urgent need of warm clothes for those IDPs. May God be with you and bless you more. </div><div> </div><div>In Solidarity! Name withheld, Freelance Consultant, Program Management & Humanitarian Aids, Toungoo </div><div><br /></div><div><b>Report from Wa Orphanage</b> that has 65 children. The Wa association of churches supported this orphanage. With many of its members out of work, they were not able to fill their pledges which left the orphanage unable to pay its workers. So they have been really struggling. FOB made a grant to them. </div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhnRg38JbcUGQQ3Wx3nZ-GQDJth-G4QOGlT9BdB2k3PYxmBek25lBMkZVFXWekw69gmE4N1yMxTxXzUIKkxpINuKoBmtTIb8zwOQMT6lALpHt_ij9FN3-aUq7sEwjLQGg_2GdjAlfs3nzXIWlJAkU5kDMkhCK77vI0ojNYbzRcTUwgSq-rgCGtX54wlLw=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhnRg38JbcUGQQ3Wx3nZ-GQDJth-G4QOGlT9BdB2k3PYxmBek25lBMkZVFXWekw69gmE4N1yMxTxXzUIKkxpINuKoBmtTIb8zwOQMT6lALpHt_ij9FN3-aUq7sEwjLQGg_2GdjAlfs3nzXIWlJAkU5kDMkhCK77vI0ojNYbzRcTUwgSq-rgCGtX54wlLw=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div><b>Alternative Christmas giving.</b> </div><div>Several years ago one of our donors got tired of giving gifts to people who did not need anything so he sent a number of $50 gifts to Burma and our agent there gave them out to really poor and desperate people. We got some really heartwarming stories back. Others liked hearing about this program. Last year 25 such gifts were given. More good stories! This year 75 such gifts were given. Fifty dollars is more than three months income for many of the recipients. Isn’t Christmas really about helping those who really need it?</div></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Christmas Gift Report. 2021.</b> One dollar is equal to 1,800 kyats. Names withheld to protect them. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjmeIcLS2PDlh2O6Qc2-wXUUfkboErGt1zkVOJer4BtLvK9vCvpQp9KUe-fUfsi0QG9YDDJ5kMSck5dS_g9xe3Q34D3Hki6eL0eOzCrb9bQquDieWK_Blo70jWLX1CNtQIkuVhqEswI-xStbxAulVioNpWUZZJ1s1Wwem5u2MIc6p8T4cL2ZuykguKNbg=s984" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="984" data-original-width="738" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjmeIcLS2PDlh2O6Qc2-wXUUfkboErGt1zkVOJer4BtLvK9vCvpQp9KUe-fUfsi0QG9YDDJ5kMSck5dS_g9xe3Q34D3Hki6eL0eOzCrb9bQquDieWK_Blo70jWLX1CNtQIkuVhqEswI-xStbxAulVioNpWUZZJ1s1Wwem5u2MIc6p8T4cL2ZuykguKNbg=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Dear Dr. Neil and Mrs. Diana Sowards and FOB donors,</div><div><br /></div><div>I am, Name Withheld, from MIT's music department. It was my honor to have this wonderful opportunity to share FOB's Christmas gift to a lady who is in need of financial assistance. The following is my feedback after giving the gift to her.</div><div><br /></div><div>1. How did you choose the recipient? </div><div>There are a few families and individuals in the area where I live (Insein-Taungthugone) to whom I have been delivering food and other essential items in several months. Among them, I found that the recipient, Ms. Ah Nay Paw, is one of the least who's in need of financial help. </div><div><br /></div><div>2. What was the financial situation of the recipient? </div><div>Ms. Ah Nay Paw is a Kayar widow, who's taking care of her 10 year old daughter, her elderly mother, and two other boys who left their homes for the wars in their village in Kayar State, and currently living with her. She is running a small tailoring shop to support her family. With the pandemic and the coup, her business is not doing so well. She is basically trying to make ends meet by the little money she can make from tailoring and some food rations shared by a church she's going to. </div><div><br /></div><div>3. What was the reaction of the recipient? </div><div>She was so surprised to receive the gift as she didn't expect anyone would bring such gift to her. She said she was thankful to the Lord and to FOB for the gift. </div><div><br /></div><div>4. What was your experience? </div><div>When I heard that I was to give the gift to someone I know in need, I thought it could be difficult to make the choice to whom the gift should be given. But right at that moment, I saw this lady, and only this lady, in my mind. Then, I felt joy in my heart as I saw her receiving the gift with a thankful heart. I thank God for his guidance, and I am so glad that I could be a part of sending FOB's Christmas gift to the needy. </div></div><div><br /></div><div>With appreciation, Name Withheld</div><div><br /></div><div><div><b>A report from </b><b>Rev. T. (Name Withheld)</b><b>:</b></div></div><div><div>Dear Dr. Neil and Diana Sowards and FOB Donors,</div><div><br /></div><div>Saya C.M. (a missionary in Dala, Yangon) was given two Christmas gifts to give out. He had advised the father of the poor family to drive a tricycle to make some money for his family. So he borrowed a tricycle. He had to pay 1000 kyats per day to the owner. On average he could make about 3000-4000 kyats per day, but after paying 1000 kyats to the owner, he would have 2000-3000 for his family. Saya mentioned that if he owns his own tricycle, he will not need to pay for the rental and will be able to earn more for his family.</div><div><br /></div><div>I asked Saya C.M. how much would be the current price of the tricycle that he had borrowed. He said it would cost between 150,000 and 180,000 (new ones will cost more than 400,000). Then, I strongly felt that we should give two Christmas gifts to Ko Nyi to buy a tricycle which will help his family tremendously and will be used for years. So I gave two Christmas gifts (2 x 90,000 = 180,000) to Saya C. M. to buy a tricycle for this family. Saya later told me that he and Ko Nyi bought a tricycle with 170,000 kyats and the rest (10,000) would be for their immediate use.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><div>I translated Saya C.M’s letter in Burmese as follows:</div><div><br /></div><div>"<i>Dear Dr. Neil and Mrs. Diana Sowards and FOB donors,</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Merry Christmas to you all.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>I chose Ko Nyi's family for the Christmas gift. There are five members in his family including his mother. He worked any available jobs to earn a living for his family. His mother and wife collected bottles along Ayeyarwady River. Sometimes they picked betel nuts and sold them. Since he could not find any other job, Ko Nyi borrowed a tricycle to make money for the family. I chose the family for this reason.</i></div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgE9wq5pXXX8HhXJtv4IBLreAb4sGYp6AamIXrxkYvCqIAw1sqGzBJlDnjhm2lHH-e-fsVKIPIQ2cRtRJsG52G3BqmukLhR0X-ONEaYUKAvy7iZ2O8i2H2sNfPiKs6rrZEqQeS2_EzDZMtPsmvHcvmb2HvHvrDJsDeLgbjsDdZsot6k_aoFXvAlwtA8_g=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="718" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgE9wq5pXXX8HhXJtv4IBLreAb4sGYp6AamIXrxkYvCqIAw1sqGzBJlDnjhm2lHH-e-fsVKIPIQ2cRtRJsG52G3BqmukLhR0X-ONEaYUKAvy7iZ2O8i2H2sNfPiKs6rrZEqQeS2_EzDZMtPsmvHcvmb2HvHvrDJsDeLgbjsDdZsot6k_aoFXvAlwtA8_g=w299-h400" width="299" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><div><div><i>Ko Nyi said that he was very happy and grateful for a Christmas gift of a tricycle for his family. He was very happy to receive it unexpectedly and how much he was grateful is beyond what he could express. He was grateful to you and the donors and prayed that God would bless you more.</i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>My family and I live and work as a missionary in Dala. Here most of the people are not educated and they are very poor. Some people sold water to earn a living. But after the virus and the coup, many people who used to buy water from them could no longer buy it from them. So they are in a very difficult situation.</i>"<i> -- </i><b>Saya C. M.</b></div><div><br /></div><div>I am also very happy that we made this decision to give two Christmas gifts to buy a tricycle for Ko Nyi's family. Your gifts made this Christmas more meaningful and special for this family.</div><div><br /></div><div>Shalom,</div><div><b>Rev. T. (Name Withheld)</b></div><div>Myanmar Institute of Theology</div><div><br /></div><div>If you want to read more reports on Christmas gifts, please follow <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1spaDD8OIFTpFMeAZu5cC3FLGHvBDFUiwbP3jDP0ZSLY/edit?usp=sharing">this link</a>:</div></div><div><br /></div></div><div><div><b>WISH LIST</b>.</div><p></p><ol><li>Money to keep Myanmar Institute of Theology afloat. $21,000 needed. BIM (Baptist International Ministries) is contributing $24,000. </li><li>Humanitarian support for rice, cooking oil, etc. $5 feeds a family 4 days. </li><li>Aid to virus sufferers, oxygen tanks, oxygen accumulators, medicine, etc. </li><li>Monetary support for our two hospitals. </li><li>Desk top computer for Tachilek Bible School to replace one that died. $1,000.</li></ol></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPBGMQ85kiAtnETgb6T7apr1ozpv8gbgLuTF9zMZxrv000sSuJ-D35vgs1eOLzu0Ta6wWCd4TnPYmC6yHovAbevgE--6dH2BI6XjGGHpGvHyLtmXXWSRcZVFXJsb6R_Bnl00QN9jZkAM5pXKEFTbGERv9JVZE5pWe-tuRTcKaSvV9xEWmjPO79VwZ6Wg=s854" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="394" data-original-width="854" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPBGMQ85kiAtnETgb6T7apr1ozpv8gbgLuTF9zMZxrv000sSuJ-D35vgs1eOLzu0Ta6wWCd4TnPYmC6yHovAbevgE--6dH2BI6XjGGHpGvHyLtmXXWSRcZVFXJsb6R_Bnl00QN9jZkAM5pXKEFTbGERv9JVZE5pWe-tuRTcKaSvV9xEWmjPO79VwZ6Wg=w400-h185" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FOB enabled two organizations to get money to two blind schools.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />Lwin Moehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07744752229286096883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3863369074070826888.post-71748879572399014252021-10-08T10:35:00.007-04:002021-10-08T16:16:19.507-04:00$50 Christmas Gifts Program<p>Dear Friend and Donor to the needy people in Burma,</p><p>In our Fall newsletter we forgot to remind people of our previous project, the giving of $50 Christmas gifts. As you know, the political situation and Covid-19 in Burma have put previously borderline needy people into dire straits. The volunteers distributing these gifts benefit greatly from participating in this program and the recipients have expressed their great relief and gratitude. </p><p>These are responses from previous years: <a href="http://news.friendsofburma.org/2021/01/friends-of-burma-annual-report-2020.html">2020</a>, <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qv1u6RICahjZyoD0glVRTPtmlwbTnihRcLVY3wV7u3k/edit">2019</a>.</p><p>If any of you want to participate in this we invite you to send checks for $50 or Paypal, or Zelle for this purpose.</p><p><a href="http://friendsofburma.org/donate/">Donate here</a>.</p><p>In Christ’s Service,</p><p>Neil Sowards</p>Lwin Moehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07744752229286096883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3863369074070826888.post-69744478823606074522021-08-14T08:07:00.000-04:002021-08-14T08:07:01.240-04:00Friends of Burma, Inc. Newsletter Fall 2021<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Proverbs 28:28 (NIV) – “When the wicked rise to power, people go into hiding; …”</b></p><p>The situation in Burma is the worst we have seen since 1985. When people write to us about the sky above Yangon filling with the smoke of the crematoriums, we bow our heads in prayer for our brothers and sisters in Burma. Not only are they in fear of the corona virus, but they are also in fear of the junta and its supporters who took power on Feb. 1, 2021. As of this writing, more than 900 innocent civilians have been cruelly murdered, but also 6,000 plus people have been arrested and incarcerated in prisons. Please be aware of what is happening in Burma. Share with your churches and your friends. Please support Friends of Burma as we endeavor to meet the dire needs of the IDP's, the refugees, the sick, the wounded, and the children who are suffering. <b>Please pray for Burma! </b><i>Neil and Diana Sowards, Founders, Friends of Burma (FOB)</i></p><p><b>KBC Hospital Faithfully Serving Amid Unprecedented Challenges</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMKHabfOzIHSXKRqDthGZCSHBqdEmPeFL3Jym27oJwnrWk8npYtz2GZBtwdG8vhST-l0kHr1qmwdisVt2r3MuTFNGLHOhbzf-9Q0RvRwaJuHHE0IUzysjecOUDpKMh5BQoKhJxvyT6jzYw/s867/image3.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="651" data-original-width="867" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMKHabfOzIHSXKRqDthGZCSHBqdEmPeFL3Jym27oJwnrWk8npYtz2GZBtwdG8vhST-l0kHr1qmwdisVt2r3MuTFNGLHOhbzf-9Q0RvRwaJuHHE0IUzysjecOUDpKMh5BQoKhJxvyT6jzYw/w400-h300/image3.png" width="400" /></a></div><p>These days, KBC Hospital (KBCH) has to hold on to their motto, “We Treat, God Heals” tighter than ever before. Since most government hospitals are closed, private hospitals are struggling to care for patients. Although the hospital is a 50-bed hospital, it now must accommodate 60 to 75 patients regularly. In addition to providing healthcare services for patients with their medical needs, KBCH is also offering COVID-19 screening services and treating patients tested positive for COVID-19. Many rural inhabitants relying on the hospital for healthcare are facing a major predicament as the hospital cannot accommodate their attendants in the hospital or the patient’s attendant house, but provides a rest area for them. Retaining hospital staff presents a daunting task. KBCH also has to maintain a relationship with the authorities in order to continue offering healthcare services. As people struggle with the pandemic, job losses, and political turmoil, many just simply cannot make payments, negatively impacting the hospital income. As if these problems are not bad enough, there is a crisis in acquiring medical equipment and supplies, which cost at least three times more than before. Encumbered by challenges related to COVID-19, financial distress, soaring expenses, medical supply shortages, relational burdens, human resources deficit, rising death rates, and many other issues, KBCH strives to offer the best care it can. But frankly, KBCH is like a ship weathering a tornado, hurricane, and tsunami at the same time, about to sink, but kept afloat by God’s grace and your gifts. So, your support is needed more than ever before. On behalf of our friends at KBCHS laboring tirelessly, we would like to shout out, “PLEASE HELP! MAYDAY! S.O.S!”</p><p><b>Zoe and Hope Centers Empowering Women and Providing COVID Relief</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg516wlMG87i-xvLHyuqyry03obZv7Y1qNc1VxiW1f2t6DE7xldiu9ZK0xldmV83P42doMgIVTL5x_uYMZOT00avkSBNm7IYj0a4CxcOmv2D_KA9rtHqTXpd5Ej4BXtMpIm2OXw0_WrNDJI/s918/image4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="820" data-original-width="918" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg516wlMG87i-xvLHyuqyry03obZv7Y1qNc1VxiW1f2t6DE7xldiu9ZK0xldmV83P42doMgIVTL5x_uYMZOT00avkSBNm7IYj0a4CxcOmv2D_KA9rtHqTXpd5Ej4BXtMpIm2OXw0_WrNDJI/w400-h358/image4.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Friends of Burma (FOB) partners with the Zoe and Hope Centers to provide 10,000 cloth masks, 1500 bottles of hand sanitizer, and to buy milk and eggs from self-help group members to deliver to the ill and elderly in various communities for nutritious intake. Sewing groups at these centers are designing and creating the masks. Trained migrant workers at the Hlaing Tharya Center and local leaders will distribute these much-needed items. Thank you for providing this health and nutrition assistance to mitigate Covid 19. </p><p><b>Karen Women Organization (KWO) Delivering Aid to Internally Displaced People (IDP)</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyy0uqLOGaZ-Eo0jSfhzW-AnrVQL_PwKpdnlgX3BLf9Bfp9j7oX6GD9Fzq4NlrIKeBzjN8KRAY4uwINmQYigDa82qR_WBg2HbU1p8tqrwNW6c8qRGDck-joPGlpfs6rA0LMOq9UNm1wO5M/s2048/image5.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyy0uqLOGaZ-Eo0jSfhzW-AnrVQL_PwKpdnlgX3BLf9Bfp9j7oX6GD9Fzq4NlrIKeBzjN8KRAY4uwINmQYigDa82qR_WBg2HbU1p8tqrwNW6c8qRGDck-joPGlpfs6rA0LMOq9UNm1wO5M/w400-h300/image5.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUxTMSE25I3E7TBrZ0QRN_TilqAle-emoLGZ60XtomTXYKkpoV10oulmMEly5eH9Re_1lTNDv6SVwJz7zaGPW69pz6XV3JEHwfR6ACk6Zmp2vFyBZkE49oNOuh11yepXevhkI9gMTeFS0k/s648/image6.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="433" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUxTMSE25I3E7TBrZ0QRN_TilqAle-emoLGZ60XtomTXYKkpoV10oulmMEly5eH9Re_1lTNDv6SVwJz7zaGPW69pz6XV3JEHwfR6ACk6Zmp2vFyBZkE49oNOuh11yepXevhkI9gMTeFS0k/w268-h400/image6.png" width="268" /></a></div><p>Karen Women Organization focuses on promoting an awareness of Women’s Rights and women’s participation in the community decision-making and political processes. KWO is also in the forefront in taking on different roles with helping IDPs and those who came to take refuge from cities due to increased fighting along the border and unrest in the country. They have been packing meals for IDPs, security forces protecting the IDPs and those who come from different cities. Friends of Burma assisted with the purchasing of vacuum sealers for meals. </p><p><b>Trust Meditation and Counseling Center (TMCC) Bringing Mental Health Help to Communities</b></p><p>Trust Meditation and Counseling Center (TMCC) was established in October of 2019 in response to the increased mental health needs of the communities. This non-profit organization provides a safe, confidential milieu with affordable mental health services, meditation, and other wellbeing activities. Their belief is that mental wellness contributes to a healthy community. TMCC provides counseling and self-empowerment training. During the trying time of COVID and the military coup, TMCC engages through online counseling, postings of mental health messages on the website, and church programs. Most of the 30 clients are aged 12-30 years old and female. Challenges include marital strife, parent/child relationships and communication. </p><p>###############</p><p><i>Dear Friends of Burma,</i></p><p><i>We have received your donation to Trust Meditation and Counseling Centre (TMCC). We are very grateful for your kind support that would be greatly helpful to fulfill our vision to help those who are suffering from mental health problems and to offer empowerment training. You truly make the difference for us, and we are extremely grateful! We cannot thank you enough for your help.”</i></p><p><i>Zelma Tial Cin, President </i></p><p>###############</p><p><b>Myanmar Institute of Theology (MIT)</b></p><p>The MIT continues to be closed. Pending the political situation, it may resume classes in January 2022. In June, the students returned to their hometowns. Unfortunately, some students live along the conflict zones, which necessitates taking refuge in the jungle alongside thousands of people fleeing the military regime atrocities. Please lift up MIT students and the people of Burma in your prayers. </p><p>Below is a thank you letter from Reverend La Rip Marip, PhD, Dean of Students to FOB:</p><p>###############</p><p><i>Dear Dr. Neil and Diana Sowards,</i></p><p><i>Warmest greetings to you from MIT! On behalf of the Crisis Response Committee, let me express our appreciation to you for your generous donation for the stranded students. Your donation is very helpful to our students who are stranded in Yangon during the lockdown period of Covid-19 pandemic. We helped the 68 stranded students by giving 15,000 Kyats in Cash, 6 Pyis of rice, and 1 Viss of vegetable oil. </i></p><p><i><b>Those who are generous are blessed, for they share their bread with the poor.” (Proverbs 22:9)</b></i></p><p>###############</p><p><b>Helping Mandalay Fire Victims</b></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTBRdVyQ81AZcgo03MsDYy2LOnHf8UpV6l0f-5Cj-mrRGpLy5FLfs5H6Z6vUvUl2VXFmx9Yg-wrBT5Er_eJ1QHxky0aa2nVYzOqCrfUdtJan01VKUNg8rm1ngATgc-riTbQLB5N5zv9ak_/s816/image8.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="426" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTBRdVyQ81AZcgo03MsDYy2LOnHf8UpV6l0f-5Cj-mrRGpLy5FLfs5H6Z6vUvUl2VXFmx9Yg-wrBT5Er_eJ1QHxky0aa2nVYzOqCrfUdtJan01VKUNg8rm1ngATgc-riTbQLB5N5zv9ak_/w334-h640/image8.png" width="334" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIwR-7r1wpmzxji5AtjPDrtOQeyuyLEL4QiZG9zfQd3aY0yZBZEL0oGgLrRkOHefDwWP8KWhf_fgIOKHqP8fyPfyaxANjuecJPhX8tl04Y-UTY59wjqolvR3OYsOK9sc-i2wulkcUaI7Iy/s2044/image7.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2044" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIwR-7r1wpmzxji5AtjPDrtOQeyuyLEL4QiZG9zfQd3aY0yZBZEL0oGgLrRkOHefDwWP8KWhf_fgIOKHqP8fyPfyaxANjuecJPhX8tl04Y-UTY59wjqolvR3OYsOK9sc-i2wulkcUaI7Iy/w400-h295/image7.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>Friends of Burma provide help to three pastors who were affected by a fire in Mandalay. They in turn shared the blessings they received with others. Below is the excerpt from their report.</p><p>###############</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Pastor Than Aung divided his portion into two – one for 16 households and the other for the ward people. His care packs include 7 items – rice, cooking oil, bean, tea leaves, fried beans, chicken eggs, and face masks. After he shared the care packs with 16 most needy households, he bought vegetables and cooking oils and let the ward people come and get as needed.</li><li>Pastor Silas bought 3 items – rice bags, cooking oils and chicken eggs with his portion of the gift, which he shared with 16 needy households too. He gave cooking oil and chicken eggs to 5 more families in addition. </li><li>I (Pastor Philip Bo Aung Lin) bought 6 items with my gift – rice bags, cooking oil, bean, noodle, chicken eggs and sardines, which I shared with 8 needy households on my street. </li></ul><p></p><p>The people we shared the care gifts with are mostly masons, stevedores, motorcycle taxi drivers, laundrymen, carpenters, widows, motorcycle washers, the paralyzed, etc. And they have been trying hard to survive since COVID lockdown. They sent their heartfelt gratitude to you for your love and concern for them as well. Thank you very much again.</p><p>The LORD bless you more abundantly in return! <i><b>Philip</b></i></p><p>###############</p><p><b>Providing Sustenance for Needy Families in Dalah Township</b></p><p>Greetings from Myanmar. </p><p>I am a pastor serving at Lai Baptist Church and a secretary of the Evangelism and Mission Department of the church. We have one mission field in Dalah township in Yangon. Many people in Dalah township left their villages and came to stay in Yangon for daily survival with their families and work as tricycle drivers, fishermen, canoe boat drivers, carriers, laborers and so on. Due to COVID-19 pandemic, most of them lost their jobs and were facing hardships for daily expenses. When I was asked to manage your donation, I chose fifteen families and gave your gifts to each family regardless of religion and race. Three of them could not pay for their rental houses for months. Most of them became jobless since last year. Two of them could not run their small shops for months. They were so happy to receive your kind donation and love. (I have attached the photos of them).</p><p>I am so sure that your kindness and empathy would be able to solve many of their problems and would motivate to stay stronger in hope and love in their daily lives. I am so honored and pleased to participate in your humanitarian aid program. </p><p>With much thanks,</p><p>ZELMA NGUN UK</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8NU3-I5lUOQvr38rlldPyhYbvvWHvLeedf_f6_wARRYroM9Sb4NuvW_kq8_MS6YYcwlw948ttojkrFE7CgACfTCUgilqF7Ldff2sNC0jG43OjI9_BMUntoQlzHyrx2iN1lQvNc1pGqCnh/s988/Screenshot+from+2021-08-09+17-36-21.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="232" data-original-width="988" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8NU3-I5lUOQvr38rlldPyhYbvvWHvLeedf_f6_wARRYroM9Sb4NuvW_kq8_MS6YYcwlw948ttojkrFE7CgACfTCUgilqF7Ldff2sNC0jG43OjI9_BMUntoQlzHyrx2iN1lQvNc1pGqCnh/w640-h150/Screenshot+from+2021-08-09+17-36-21.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><b>Orphanage Care Shelters</b></p><p>Due to school closures, students in the orphanage care shelters participate in life training activities. The supervisors of the orphanages are diligently teaching handmade craft training, music lessons, basic English and Karen language skills, and cement block-making, along with ensuring their physical and mental health needs. During this pandemic, the care centers are planning Zoom conferences for those orphanages with internet. Despite all these efforts, children are going through a very traumatic time and children from two orphanages even had to flee for safety. The leaders of the orphanage care centers requests your fervent prayers to overcome this extremely challenging time. </p><p><b>Lightning for Learning Report</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAAITGjlnq0mXTKrcp2N77a-SLmuTiM38NkQoM96zR0fECA_ANdor-ZbKtss-_62KuorPlwDG5nY287aF5pKXvWnc88i8dMaiA2bRt3hImO0enS3kVnNU2BV4MKndZSpvTcofJJ27PD2Qd/s1728/image14.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1261" data-original-width="1728" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAAITGjlnq0mXTKrcp2N77a-SLmuTiM38NkQoM96zR0fECA_ANdor-ZbKtss-_62KuorPlwDG5nY287aF5pKXvWnc88i8dMaiA2bRt3hImO0enS3kVnNU2BV4MKndZSpvTcofJJ27PD2Qd/w400-h293/image14.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p>We thank all our generous sponsors for your loving support for the orphans’ higher education in the Delta areas. School closures and food insecurity for all women and children exist due to the military coup, with the looming potential displacement of any childcare center or community. As a memorial to our mother and Ama Josephine Wu, and sister and aunt, Christina Wu Nasrawi, both Burmese natives, our team is matching all gifts from November 2020 to December 2021, to provide for the nutritional support for 12 orphanages sponsored by FOB. In June, $24,000 was sent to the 12 childcare centers. Our second semester of giving will provide Christmas nutrition and support for these precious little brothers and sisters. Thank you for your generosity! Our team ran a ½ marathon in Great Falls, MT in May. We will run the Duke City half marathon in Albuquerque, NM on October 17, with prayer and supplication, for the health, safety, and well-being of all orphans in Burma. </p><p style="text-align: center;">Thank you for <b>Running the Race of Life to Love</b> with us!</p><p style="text-align: center;">“I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you,” John 4:18</p><p><b>Kawthoolei Karen Baptist Bible School and College (KKBBSC)</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4o3f3EYDFzJz2lkcp9cgBOiBvzPol5zqSNeESUGsGKp01EvuDNIDh9xsbcSxr3IyV9chCSkwpJX-7vORxMq8YmTP9GzW86ArzK2OwA1DwpFENbauR_Nlw2ar9cadklj-WsnBs-wnC5n5u/s960/image18.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4o3f3EYDFzJz2lkcp9cgBOiBvzPol5zqSNeESUGsGKp01EvuDNIDh9xsbcSxr3IyV9chCSkwpJX-7vORxMq8YmTP9GzW86ArzK2OwA1DwpFENbauR_Nlw2ar9cadklj-WsnBs-wnC5n5u/w400-h300/image18.png" width="400" /></a></div><p>After three people in Mae La refugee camp were infected by COVID-19, a lockdown ensued and classes in Kawthoolei Karen Baptist Bible School and College had to be stopped. KKBBSC now has small group meetings, online classes, and in-person classes from time to time only. People are afraid that the virus will spread to the whole camp. They have to be very careful because they do not have a good health care system in the camp and all the houses in the camp are cramped with no proper walls. They are doing everything they can to prevent the spread of the virus, and at the same time continuing their ministries. They need your support and prayers.</p><p><b>Kawthoolei Hope Theological Seminary (KHTS)</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE76Z_-5VgJZftIW4VpC5q9xUBabzAOSJkaROTVm5pO2Ltz2QcUkCdreRtxEa_ZUyx5L7GB8vx5wsN7vsJpAd8o2sitc0-GGNBXfJv8OTljN0inrudMamEAs1xz6IQqx_6E2PUzlQyaXzk/s801/image19.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="801" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE76Z_-5VgJZftIW4VpC5q9xUBabzAOSJkaROTVm5pO2Ltz2QcUkCdreRtxEa_ZUyx5L7GB8vx5wsN7vsJpAd8o2sitc0-GGNBXfJv8OTljN0inrudMamEAs1xz6IQqx_6E2PUzlQyaXzk/w400-h326/image19.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd2JGHuDuKgjAB68OonixBPvICotFyKjFsYJfbX9GA00f8V5Ffphps3qq-obYf-RmB6u52Y5Gg2pqFB6Ti7AKh2TI-pDvBISgygJujRz7IE8rsxbgUnMuQ8jUNQgQB__Y2hTrghe8pkrSv/s1734/image20.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1183" data-original-width="1734" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd2JGHuDuKgjAB68OonixBPvICotFyKjFsYJfbX9GA00f8V5Ffphps3qq-obYf-RmB6u52Y5Gg2pqFB6Ti7AKh2TI-pDvBISgygJujRz7IE8rsxbgUnMuQ8jUNQgQB__Y2hTrghe8pkrSv/w400-h272/image20.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Kawthoolei Hope Theological Seminary, located in the Thai-Burma border, held their very first commencement ceremony and celebrated the achievement of 12 students, who graduated with Master of Divinity (MDiv). KHTS now offers not only the MDiv program, but also Master of Arts in Socio-cultural and Political Transformation. Utilizing non-violent initiatives, the program aims at giving directions to issues such as ambiguous vision, indecisive strategy, not-up-to-par leadership, and poor governance. The program is designed to predispose a new generation of more creative and interdisciplinary leaders, able to provide new forms of structure that make sense of present realties, envisage the future that is different, and bring about positive changes accordingly. Eleven students in the MA program and faculty members are seen in the picture above. COVID prevents full-time in-person classes. As a result, a hybrid of virtual and in-person classes is in place. Hope Seminary is determined to do its best care for their students and provide quality education. However, challenges are towering, and they need our prayers and support.</p><p><b>Updates on Internally Displaced People (IDPs)</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Aj5XzTumJJNPGKLyDdDGEzjekPL_KDKTLf9h8x5tWAyxQLZaafAT64_1430n0Gayy_9sVvYHq6Th8mgOblsyT4H_AQOtnqHWkJTm_rfGkJo6eASWK2_HX01NQ-iUMtG4M2RpC_-401om/s960/image21.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="960" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Aj5XzTumJJNPGKLyDdDGEzjekPL_KDKTLf9h8x5tWAyxQLZaafAT64_1430n0Gayy_9sVvYHq6Th8mgOblsyT4H_AQOtnqHWkJTm_rfGkJo6eASWK2_HX01NQ-iUMtG4M2RpC_-401om/w640-h312/image21.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Friends of Burma has been providing support for IDPs from many ethnic groups. Since 1975, the Karen people were hard hit by the “four cut” ethnic cleansing operation by the Burmese regime (cut food, funds, recruits, and information) and today’s tyranny against the Karen continues unabated. All these result in widespread displacement. The IDPs are those trapped within the country in need of food, shelter, medical care, physical and mental security, and education help. One of FOB’s partners in supporting IDPs is Kawthoolei Karen Baptist Convention (KKBC). KKBC relief teams have been delivering dried food (rice, noodles, canned fish, dried fish, porridge packets), cooking oil, medicines, etc. into deep jungles where IDPs are hiding. They report that rice bags are now harder to deliver because of the Thai authority’s restrictions. With rainy season come flooding, outbreak of diseases aggravating health conditions, travelling challenges, etc. The rainy season does curtail aerial bombing efforts, but on-foot militant activities against innocent civilians continue. The Karen people are resilient in that they continue to offer education to their children. The children of IDPs need food, medicine, and basic school supplies. The status of the IDPs remains dismal, but every time help is delivered, hope is ignited. Let’s not forget the IDPs and help generously!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9GchLJ-dgWXbs6mauEkQK2zZhr1ZkBx5Ovo6AMzJdkNB4Dv0D9DmBMYCk822jSBsWtjoZvRMnuZI_3sb10gVuMA2DaA5wXUSKi_AH8F02VFy55J4jO4748JNihro16-Q9XyyJya0XwA6e/s960/image22.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="328" data-original-width="960" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9GchLJ-dgWXbs6mauEkQK2zZhr1ZkBx5Ovo6AMzJdkNB4Dv0D9DmBMYCk822jSBsWtjoZvRMnuZI_3sb10gVuMA2DaA5wXUSKi_AH8F02VFy55J4jO4748JNihro16-Q9XyyJya0XwA6e/w640-h218/image22.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJK6_NKnrDILbL1RW9pxl39CPgz1dRAKQE8pooaIxjoDQ7yGtxwYBbhDRS_2DKe342D-3Wrtq0_jFGgBw6hu1a19kzOqGyXORt_pvHJzQc0a-gJlgPeGmraxzCM-wEXMPe4bHguCIrVXgn/s775/image23.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="476" data-original-width="775" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJK6_NKnrDILbL1RW9pxl39CPgz1dRAKQE8pooaIxjoDQ7yGtxwYBbhDRS_2DKe342D-3Wrtq0_jFGgBw6hu1a19kzOqGyXORt_pvHJzQc0a-gJlgPeGmraxzCM-wEXMPe4bHguCIrVXgn/w400-h246/image23.png" width="400" /></a></div><p><b>WISH LIST</b>.</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Orphan support – $360 per year for one child</li><li>Higher education support for orphans (Lightning for Learning) – any amount </li><li>Oxygen concentrators (KBC Hospital, Matthew 25 Clinic) – $1,100 per oxygen concentrator</li><li>KBC Hospital COVID support – any amount</li><li>KBC Hospital Oxygen plant and generator – $2 million </li><li>Matthew 25 Clinic COVID support – any amount</li><li>KKBBSC medicine, masks, PPEs – any amount</li><li>KKBBSC evangelistic teams (13 teams) to go out on mission trip as soon as they can – $150/team</li><li>IDPs relief – any amount</li><li>Education support for IDP children – any amount</li><li>Hope Seminary faculty subsidy – $200/month</li><li>Hope Seminary student scholarship – $400/year</li><li>Hope Seminary copier machine – $1,500 </li><li>Alternative Christmas gift given to a poor family – $50</li><li>Women’s empowerment group – </li><ul><li>(1) raising goats - $200; </li><li>(2) raising chicken - $100; </li><li>(3) serger/overlocker sewing machine - $150; </li><li>(4) Materials for masks to be made with the donated labor - $100 for 100 masks</li></ul><li>Fund for emergency need requests – any amount</li></ul><p></p><p>FOB, tax ID 20-5572384, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and all donations are tax-deductible.</p><p><b>Do you have a Will?</b></p><p>If not, consider the following risks associated with not having a will or estate plan. </p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Your loved ones will have no control over the distribution of your assets once you are gone. The local court will decide how your assets should be divided.</li><li>In the court decision, no religious, educational, charitable, or other philanthropic causes will be included. You will miss opportunities for charitable gift annuities and trusts that can benefit you during your life, as well as helping your favorite causes. </li><li>Taxes, expenses, and fees could substantially reduce your estate. </li></ul><p></p><p>If you already have a will, please consider Friends of Burma in your future plan to continue your favorite programs or projects. Please contact Neil or Diana at neildianasowards@juno.com for more information. </p><div>All the work of FOB is done by volunteers in the U. S. FOB has one paid staff member in Myanmar. Less than 2% of our income goes for overhead—most of which is for our one staff member in Myanmar and printing and distribution of our 3 annual newsletters.</div><p>This newsletter was written and compiled by Cynthia Wu and Tansy Kadoe. Please notify us if you wish to be on the email list instead of hard, mailed copy as this saves us money.</p><p>Donate: <a href="http://friendsofburma.org/donate">http://friendsofburma.org/donate</a> </p><p><strong>Friends of Burma, Inc.</strong> <em>548 Home Ave. Ft. Wayne, IN 46807</em><br /><em>Tel. 260-745-3658, Email: president@friendsofburma.org<br />Website: <a href="http://friendsofburma.org/">http://friendsofburma.org</a>, Blog: <a href="http://blog.friendsofburma.org/">http://blog.friendsofburma.org</a></em><br /><em>E-Newsletters: <a href="http://news.friendsofburma.org/">http://news.friendsofburma.org</a></em></p><div>Printable PDF version of this newsletter can be <a href="http://friendsofburma.org/static/docs/newsletter_fall_2021.pdf">downloaded from our website</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Lwin Moehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07744752229286096883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3863369074070826888.post-10269337839879750112021-04-02T10:57:00.006-04:002021-04-08T21:46:29.219-04:00Friends of Burma, Inc. Newsletter Spring 2021<p style="text-align: center;"> "A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed." Proverbs 11:25</p><p>We can’t thank you enough for all you have supported in this time of need in Myanmar. <b>Because of your kindness and concern, lives are being transformed daily through the power of Jesus Christ.</b> These are a paraphrase of words from our friend, Rev. Donovan Coley who is the leader of the Rescue Mission here in Ft. Wayne. He is much more eloquent than we are.</p><p><b>Military Coup and Ongoing Protests</b></p><p>On February 1, 2021, Myanmar’s military overthrew the democratically elected parliament and took over running the government. Perhaps they were surprised by the landslide victory of the National League for Democracy (NLD). Perhaps they have also been surprised at the overwhelming resistance to this action. Since then, the citizens have taken to the streets and the airwaves to defy the military. There have been shootings and all of it is documented by the younger generation in spite of obstacles put in the way of open internet.</p><p>Many NGOs have suspended their operations in Burma, in some cases, due to logistics. Friends of Burma continues to cooperate with our mission colleagues in Burma despite challenges to make sure that donations are disbursed to meet the needs.</p><p>The following picture on the left sent to us by one of our colleagues is a photo of soldiers in front of the seminary in Insein, Yangon. The one on the right is of a candlelight vigil for the people who were shot dead by the military during the protests. According to the Assistance Association for the Political Prisoners in Burma, more than 500 people have been killed since February 1.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiP1FJYEwoV6n5z0vh0u6eSskVLBgWGnCRsJo47Dnn2jfhj1GWkK9YPOXlkxa4IvM0LTN56V7lRXvu62CgSstwzU1ng90W9LG2LCDzOOZP2E3RBZSRDQWOLsx2ibUvmvyoE5F1ucVYzuRf/s1440/received_4104771549570166.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiP1FJYEwoV6n5z0vh0u6eSskVLBgWGnCRsJo47Dnn2jfhj1GWkK9YPOXlkxa4IvM0LTN56V7lRXvu62CgSstwzU1ng90W9LG2LCDzOOZP2E3RBZSRDQWOLsx2ibUvmvyoE5F1ucVYzuRf/w300-h400/received_4104771549570166.jpeg" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-oU386M4h_3157uffProZR87ThyphenhyphenK8ONh66hVUDP-z4jc_Wp_uNKKGDORww_XeVFazb9y5-cHMbyaRaULBxwSY7JmRqHc2bGVuQuc6J_JjDctUAC8iD6qoSzOz4gG94gpBwwLM96dBjvx/s960/received_145390644111833.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-oU386M4h_3157uffProZR87ThyphenhyphenK8ONh66hVUDP-z4jc_Wp_uNKKGDORww_XeVFazb9y5-cHMbyaRaULBxwSY7JmRqHc2bGVuQuc6J_JjDctUAC8iD6qoSzOz4gG94gpBwwLM96dBjvx/w300-h400/received_145390644111833.jpeg" width="300" /></a></p><p><b>Health Care During the Military Coup</b></p><p>During this time, government hospitals have been closed due to mass strikes and civil disobedience movement, known as CDM. The winning party, NLD, has set up an alternative government and has been appointing people to represent it. One of the appointees, Dr. Sa Sa, visited us two years ago to speak about his projects in Chin State and to thank Friends of Burma for facilitating donations to his projects. He has been appointed special envoy to the UN to represent the NLD. He is now outside Burma, travelling the world to encourage countries to sanction the military actions.</p><p>Friends of Burma, with the help of board members and social media, have been raising funds for the KBC hospital and for Internally Displaced Persons (IDP’s) whose villages have been shelled by the military. With these funds, needed supplies such as blankets, mosquito nets, tarps, food, medicines have been bought for the IDP’s (8000 of them) who are sheltering in the jungle.</p><p>Since government hospitals are closed, the KBC hospital has been accepting increased numbers of patients seeking help. Pastors are writing letters, asking the KBC hospital to accept out of town patients for treatment. FOB is helping in this situation by sending funds to help the staff, and for protective equipment. Up to 50% of the patients are non-paying charity cases. Thank you all for your participation in our fundraising.</p><p><b>As written on March 14 by an anonymous citizen in Yangon:</b> </p><p>“It has been 42 days since the military coup in Myanmar. 327 hospitals were closed since February 5th, 2021. Till 14th March 2021 morning, 104 people had given their lives in the Spring Revolution of Myanmar. For the health needs in the country, private hospitals and social health teams tried their best providing health care for the community.”</p><p>The following are some of the stories (in their own unedited words) of people who KBC Hospital helped recently.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyaonphQ_rc2ayghqy30Zn1mBFnF6GT4HHH1oJ_SmCWEux8RUh6kB7U5NJwM1ZlXaOvVT-39QNEAsBe303fUeJWXO5RwUMn7IkzvN3TDoON6Ztv5KC8mLfxAy39wFoNboeADt7k-OZ9aet/s379/Screenshot+from+2021-03-20+13-35-35.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="379" data-original-width="262" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyaonphQ_rc2ayghqy30Zn1mBFnF6GT4HHH1oJ_SmCWEux8RUh6kB7U5NJwM1ZlXaOvVT-39QNEAsBe303fUeJWXO5RwUMn7IkzvN3TDoON6Ztv5KC8mLfxAy39wFoNboeADt7k-OZ9aet/w276-h400/Screenshot+from+2021-03-20+13-35-35.png" width="276" /></a></div><p></p><p><b>Three weeks ago, I was cleaning the mission field church, and accidentally fell from the chair and, got a fractured neck of femur.</b> At the end of the day, the villager sent me to Pathein. As the situation in Myanmar become worse and worse, I had to stay in Pathein for 3 days without treatment. After that, Pathein Myaung Mya Association leaders called KBC hospital for further treatment. Then the hospital accepted and arranged so I could come to the hospital. As soon as I reached KBC hospital, all the hospital management team arranged things so that I could get the best treatment. Within one day, I was able to get an operation, and now can sit. So, I thank all of the well-wishers for providing me the treatment cost. As I am only a field mission worker, I could not afford the operation cost. Besides, due to our current situation, the villagers from my village told me that if I did not get an operation on time, I have to live lying on the bed the whole of my life. But now, due to all of your support, I can walk again. Thanks abundantly. May God bless you all.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0cpckIfwE44N1Lm32F_P6c9VebIMBf71wXEDSzWkcTX5ZrD4l7B5HTgeuj2A1x_0uMahXekxCYEeEKI3wa6ZNllIefoyGog-0eEMvUIuMfKmsK6AFTtJxJvk02_geTmuHJbixK1o7KUUn/s409/Screenshot+from+2021-03-20+13-36-05.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="302" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0cpckIfwE44N1Lm32F_P6c9VebIMBf71wXEDSzWkcTX5ZrD4l7B5HTgeuj2A1x_0uMahXekxCYEeEKI3wa6ZNllIefoyGog-0eEMvUIuMfKmsK6AFTtJxJvk02_geTmuHJbixK1o7KUUn/w295-h400/Screenshot+from+2021-03-20+13-36-05.png" width="295" /></a></div><p></p><p><b>My name is Aye Aye Thit.</b> I come from Tharyarwaddy to give birth at the KBC Hospital. May I share my biography? I am an office clerk at a government department. At first, for my pregnancy antenatal care, I consulted with basic health staff (BHS) in my hometown. But being a high-risk pregnancy and most of the health care workers not being available due to the Civil Disobedience Movement, there were no specialists to see me in town. Our villagers together with our pastor, decided to request support from KBC Hospital Medical Superintendent. The pastor sent a letter to KBC Hospital requesting support. After discussing it with the KBC Hospital Medical Superintendent, the pastor sent me to KBC hospital to be operated on. As the political situation in Myanmar is unstable, it’s also hard to travel from one region to another. So, the villagers together with the KBC Hospital, hired a car for me to reach the hospital. As soon as I reached the hospital, the staff and the OG specialist warmly welcomed me and did the best for me. The OG specialist told me that she thanks God as she could save both the mother and child's life. She also mentioned that, if I could not reach on time to KBCH, both of us (Mum and Child) will lose our lives. After reaching the KBC Hospital, the management team told me that, all the treatment and medicine support for me was provided by FOB. Thus, I thank all of the well-wishers for saving both of our lives. But now we are safe and sound. May I say a few words to all of the well-wishers as, “All of you are my lifesaver and May God bless you throughout your lives. Without all of your support, I may not see my child and lose my life too.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUebkTzqNXK21QyTFqNZ19DgaTG1YfJDxFJnFQG8o73tG128xWjlQgxCk1GnSDomrctQscTfdqatn-jqGSSVYiP0l12pdBcz7zMMPluXYoyz_ddck582rKiO-aQsYwBCLGaWFL9L-IWpF4/s402/Screenshot+from+2021-03-20+13-38-36.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="402" data-original-width="306" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUebkTzqNXK21QyTFqNZ19DgaTG1YfJDxFJnFQG8o73tG128xWjlQgxCk1GnSDomrctQscTfdqatn-jqGSSVYiP0l12pdBcz7zMMPluXYoyz_ddck582rKiO-aQsYwBCLGaWFL9L-IWpF4/s320/Screenshot+from+2021-03-20+13-38-36.png" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>My Name is Ma Mya Myint Zu</b>, and I live in Shwe Pyay Thar Township. I reached KBC Hospital with the diagnosis of atopic pregnancy with shock. My blood pressure was 70/0 mmHg. A thorough examination and fluid resuscitation were done immediately. An urgent operation was done and 3 units of blood were given to me. For my hospitalization I had only 90,000 kyats and, my family and I could not afford to pay. Then, the OG specialist together with the hospital told my family members not to worry and will support it as much as they could. After my operation process, the hospital staff told me who my supporter was for my operation. Thus, I want to say to all of you, “Thanks a lot for supporting me for my operation. Without your support, I cannot see the world again. Thanks profoundly for saving my life. I promise that I will pray for all of you to be healthy and well.”</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Students</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In past years, because of a lack of middle and high schools in delta village areas, students would come to Pathein city to stay and take their secondary studies in Pathein, aided by families in the community. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A donor had donated money for a hostel to accommodate students who had taken qualifying tests and made high scores. This is called the Gillen Hostel. Out of 30 students, 24 passed the difficult matriculation tests. For the whole country, only 35% passed in 2020. Here are a few that Rev. Mooler Gay mentioned.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Saw David Htoo</b> made a score of 488 (out of 500), qualifying him to join the Medical college, which is a seven year course. One of our supporters has said she will support this student once the medical college reopens. But at this time it is highly uncertain when the medical college will reopen with the political unrest going on.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Naw Paw Wah Htoo</b>, score 437, qualifies her to join the Education college. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Naw Emerald</b>, score 366, is qualified to join the Nursing College, which is a three year course, at a cost of $100 per month. She has 5 siblings and she is the second. Her parents are farmers. She studied at the Gillen Hostel.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Naw Moe Eh</b> is already a 1st year student at the Technological University. Her mother works at the Gillen hostel as a cook. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Naw Eain Chit</b> plans to go to Pathein University. She is from the mission field, which is usually a remote area. She finished high school in 2020. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">All these students study 10 months in a year and we are looking for a multiyear commitment for their support. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A music grad student, <b>Ms. Thandar Aung Kyaw Soe</b>, who we are supporting, has been studying all year online with a university in Singapore while staying in Yangon due to the Covid-19 restrictions. She is a teacher at Karen Baptist Theological Seminary Music School. At the request of the school, FOB bought a saxophone for the music program. It is sitting in Washington, D.C. waiting for shipment to Burma because of Covid-19 restrictions.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Internally Displaced People</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtNSAp0iRlKFMACXt_2A04FOd5qBs_RmEOuh5ey8t8_5Ekljg6L3WOcJC5osSZoNrOqkd554MWo1Xy_8JMVCskoCUEu_xjWc7TZzaFNyY5i1Ow_xW29fnYTDG70YZpytnRe4-1w6a44k6L/s960/received_248681343525837.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtNSAp0iRlKFMACXt_2A04FOd5qBs_RmEOuh5ey8t8_5Ekljg6L3WOcJC5osSZoNrOqkd554MWo1Xy_8JMVCskoCUEu_xjWc7TZzaFNyY5i1Ow_xW29fnYTDG70YZpytnRe4-1w6a44k6L/w400-h225/received_248681343525837.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf0tcvMy8F29u1BATNneMcMOgWw_sgtuXkUWYWSwExbd_MVyR7p2gBgBMUph-OU-ek8k-FnqRxG1hmsTiDMZnnzs1QflD09bEaVwINm_dyZMKF31u3WQrh_0diYtIy5QQP3XIBEA5V2P19/s960/received_1836069173216677.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf0tcvMy8F29u1BATNneMcMOgWw_sgtuXkUWYWSwExbd_MVyR7p2gBgBMUph-OU-ek8k-FnqRxG1hmsTiDMZnnzs1QflD09bEaVwINm_dyZMKF31u3WQrh_0diYtIy5QQP3XIBEA5V2P19/w400-h225/received_1836069173216677.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">If the fight against Covid-19 and the civil disobedience movement (CDM) against the military who declared martial law wasn’t enough for the people of Myanmar, there has been increased Myanmar army aggression in some ethnic areas. Although this is not one of FOB’s founding goals, we do send humanitarian support when we have funds available. According to Irrawaddy News (now being sued by the military), “Shelling and attacks on civilians have driven more than 8,000 Karen internally displaced people to flee since mid-December.” Accordingly, FOB has sent humanitarian relief to supply basic needs to the people who are literally in the jungle with no shelter. Since our fundraiser for the KBC hospital has been so successful, we are now seeking funds to the great needs of the IDP’s.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>A report from Naw Nita</b>, who is the head of the Karen Baptist Convention (KBC) Department of Care and Counseling, which is in charge of the orphanages run by the KBC, reports that two orphanages, Myit Tar Yeik Mon and Chit Myit Tar, are in special need to help them with their water systems. We just learned that the artesian wells at those two orphanages are no longer providing adequate water for the needs of the children. Please consider donating to this special need.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Karen Devotional Book</b>: All 1,000 of Book One of Karen Stories for God’s Glory were sold out. Book Two, in English and Karen, is filled with stories of what Karens have experienced and how God has affected their lives. Price $15.00. It is also available for your spiritual enrichment at http://kbcusedd.org This is a book easily useful to both Karen and American readers and has stories from all different parts of the US, Thailand and Burma. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Donation</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">FOB was very grateful to receive a bequest of a donor upon her death, of stock, which is being liquidated to provide approximately $14,000 to help us meet needs in Burma.</div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div></div><p></p><div><p><b>WISH LIST</b>.</p><p></p><ol><li>KBC Hospital—ongoing needs</li><li>Internally Displaced People fleeing from civil war</li><li>Naw Paw Wah Htoo, major Education, 4 years at $1,000 per year.</li><li>Naw Emerald, major Nursing, 3 years at $1,000 per year.</li><li>Naw Moe Eh, Technological University, 5 years at $1,000 per year.</li><li>Support for the various orphanages which are doing the best they can for the children during this difficult time.</li></ol><p></p><p>Your support of full amount or any portion would be a blessing. Please write a check payable to Friends of Burma. Please consider including FOB in your will. FOB, tax ID 20-5572384, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and all donations are tax-deductible.</p><p>All the work of FOB is done by volunteers in the U. S. FOB has one paid staff member in Myanmar. Less than 2% of our income goes for overhead—most of which is for our one staff member in Myanmar and printing and distribution of our 3 annual newsletters.</p><p>This newsletter was written and compiled by Neil & Diana Sowards, and Lwin Moe. Please notify us if you wish to be on the email list instead of hard, mailed copy as this saves us money.</p><p>Donate: <a href="http://friendsofburma.org/donate">http://friendsofburma.org/donate</a> </p><p><strong>Friends of Burma, Inc.</strong> <em>548 Home Ave. Ft. Wayne, IN 46807</em><br /><em>Tel. 260-745-3658, Email: president@friendsofburma.org<br />Website: <a href="http://friendsofburma.org/">http://friendsofburma.org</a>, Blog: <a href="http://blog.friendsofburma.org/">http://blog.friendsofburma.org</a></em><br /><em>E-Newsletters: <a href="http://news.friendsofburma.org/">http://news.friendsofburma.org</a></em></p><p>Photos of the women entrepreneurs from the Women Empowerment Program supported by Friends of Burma.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK9kO2KOEYCvtESg5bmbn6_EjodqorwsWmDlOkUg3jR2jmH1TdGBkerzBoVOhmO1aSBVDBjXLbWuHcyPPv-fVmilfR0pa3qQK5nxKD7MbYDbCkWj1NlU0-eJNYgSm2a0-v4ycK5khazLii/s699/image3.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="525" data-original-width="699" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK9kO2KOEYCvtESg5bmbn6_EjodqorwsWmDlOkUg3jR2jmH1TdGBkerzBoVOhmO1aSBVDBjXLbWuHcyPPv-fVmilfR0pa3qQK5nxKD7MbYDbCkWj1NlU0-eJNYgSm2a0-v4ycK5khazLii/w400-h300/image3.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTRK4kG9-Z4ppnLOmE6pKV0BFiSv_SE8nZCz9QySujifT4h1q8RD9ikfT7nFzG8xnxqeHjnnrYcAnGF-HG2zEv2nEAcV4lfwfO7S3SB_p5z-oC3T3Teyd6UGtm8pNnvGpK7XE_1nqwpWb9/s675/image6.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="675" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTRK4kG9-Z4ppnLOmE6pKV0BFiSv_SE8nZCz9QySujifT4h1q8RD9ikfT7nFzG8xnxqeHjnnrYcAnGF-HG2zEv2nEAcV4lfwfO7S3SB_p5z-oC3T3Teyd6UGtm8pNnvGpK7XE_1nqwpWb9/w400-h300/image6.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>Lwin Moehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07744752229286096883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3863369074070826888.post-25642936251650089752021-03-02T21:54:00.001-05:002021-03-04T00:35:56.844-05:00Thank you for your response<p>Dear Faithful Supporter of Friends of Burma, Inc.</p><p>Thank you for your positive response to our e-mail. You all gave enough to support the KBC Hospital for several months at this time of great need. Most of the patients arriving have been turned away by other hospitals which are now closed or filled. Fully half of the patients are completely indigent and unable to pay anything towards their treatment.</p><p>We have received a report from Naw Htoo Khu Paw. We will share one of the stories with you below.</p><p>Each of you should feel good about responding to needs of people who, without your help, would either die or suffer a lot.</p><p>We hope the virus crisis will pass soon in Burma but I fear I am overly optimistic.</p><p>The situation with the doctors and nurses protesting the change in government does not seem to be resolving itself. With many medical personnel locked up, hospitals are closing, putting more and more patients seeking help from KBC Hospital.</p><p>I hope you will watch the cameo pictures of patients you have helped and realize each of you are part of the solution and not part of the problem.</p><p>In Christ’s Service,</p><p>Neil Sowards</p><p>Sent by the KBC Hospital:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-jseWVajuoCoO7zY3IoWUPlrD6DkrAzrPlM6y5qP65y8_OtxRsbOyoHeAtm019eJPQp2iOFAVtxLffh_qcmeb_IfAfXtKSh6axUdj-4nq725FARvNnizE92mi2J1yOWqVgHLUIs95yO0W/s855/kbc_ortho_patient.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="641" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-jseWVajuoCoO7zY3IoWUPlrD6DkrAzrPlM6y5qP65y8_OtxRsbOyoHeAtm019eJPQp2iOFAVtxLffh_qcmeb_IfAfXtKSh6axUdj-4nq725FARvNnizE92mi2J1yOWqVgHLUIs95yO0W/w300-h400/kbc_ortho_patient.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p>On February 22, 2021, my mom and I were hit by a motor cycle, and both of us were seriously injured.</p><p>We lived in Maw Be Township, which is near Yangon. Villagers tried to send us to different hospitals (military and private hospitals), but they did not accept us. We had to go around for more than 4 hours. Finally, my uncle called KBC hospital, and the staff replied that they would try their best.</p><p>Due to our conditions (Mom's - cervical fracture and head injury, Me - Leg fracture), it was not easy for the hospital to accept us. But they tried their best and did many investigations. Mom's condition was not easy to accept but they took risk and accept her. </p><p>For me, the hospital called a specialist, and within 3 hours they were able to do an operation. The specialist mentioned that if the operation was not done within 8 hours my bone fracture could get infections.</p><p>As Mom is a minister, we could not afford much to pay for the operation. </p><p>Then the responsible person from KBC hospital arranged things for us </p><p>After the operation finished well, one of the staff came and told me about how the hospital saved my life and did their best for me.</p><p>Now I can smile, I can talk with no more pain.</p><p>Mum is not very well yet, but the doctor said she will be fine.</p><p>Please pray for her</p><p>As I am a child, I do not know who supports me but the hospital told me about them.</p><p>Thanks to all the well wishers who supported me. You all have saved my life and mom’s life. Mom has to be in the operation theater because of cervical fracture and head injury on the 25th of February.</p><p>Now you all saved my mom's life. </p><p>Thanks.</p><p><br /></p><p><strong>Friends of Burma, Inc.</strong> <em>548 Home Ave. Ft. Wayne, IN 46807</em><br /><em>Tel. 260-745-3658, Email: president@friendsofburma.org<br />Website: <a href="http://friendsofburma.org/">http://friendsofburma.org</a>, Blog: <a href="http://blog.friendsofburma.org/">http://blog.friendsofburma.org</a></em><br /><em>E-Newsletters: <a href="http://news.friendsofburma.org/">http://news.friendsofburma.org</a></em></p>Lwin Moehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07744752229286096883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3863369074070826888.post-83164997134545641722021-02-14T22:40:00.008-05:002021-02-20T12:58:20.113-05:00Special updates on Burma<p>Dear Faithful Supporter of Friends of Burma, Inc.</p><p>There has been a military coup in Myanmar (Burma) that has overthrown the lawful government of Aung San Suu Kyi. There have been anti military demonstrations resulting in injuries. Plus covid cases. The result is that the hospitals in Yangon have been overwhelmed with patients. Some hospitals have been forced to close for lack of personnel. Other hospitals have run out of space in their halls and are turning people away.</p><p><a href="http://friendsofburma.org/donate/">http://friendsofburma.org/donate/</a></p><p>The result is they are coming in large numbers to the KBC Hospital in Insein which we have supported. We gave that hospital $8,000 in October to help them deal with the Corona Virus crisis. That money came from undesignated funds that had accumulated during the year.</p><p>We have received an e-mail requesting more money for medicine, and other supplies to help them deal with the crisis at the KBC Hospital in Insein.</p><p>We disbursed all our reserves at the October Annual Meeting of Friends of Burma, Inc. In the past we have only asked for donations in our three newsletters but these are unusual times and we are taking this new step to ask those who receive our newsletter via e-mail if they could respond to this appeal. We have 368 on our e-mail list. If each could give something, it will be a big help to the hard pressed hospital in Burma. </p><p>Even though the hospital is located in the very back of the property of the Karen Baptist Theological Institute, it was said, at the bicentennial celebration, “Every taxi driver in Yangon knows the location of the KBC hospital” so they are bringing desperate people with no place else to go.</p><p>So please help as you are able.</p><p><a href="http://friendsofburma.org/donate/">http://friendsofburma.org/donate/</a></p><p>In Christ’s Service,<br />Neil Sowards</p><p><strong>Friends of Burma, Inc.</strong> <em>548 Home Ave. Ft. Wayne, IN 46807</em><br /><em>Tel. 260-745-3658, Email: president@friendsofburma.org<br />Website: <a href="http://friendsofburma.org/">http://friendsofburma.org</a>, Blog: <a href="http://blog.friendsofburma.org/">http://blog.friendsofburma.org</a></em><br /><em>E-Newsletters: <a href="http://news.friendsofburma.org/">http://news.friendsofburma.org</a></em></p>Lwin Moehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07744752229286096883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3863369074070826888.post-46943896766005625152021-01-15T21:48:00.000-05:002021-01-15T21:48:04.640-05:00Friends of Burma Annual Report 2020<p>It has been a hard year with the virus both here and in Burma. Many of our donors have been amazing, increasing their support to really help in this difficult time.</p><p>We had our Annual Meeting of Friends of Burma (FOB) in Peoria, AZ in October with six attending in person and twelve by Zoom. So we got reports from Burma and we got to meet our new Financial Secretary, Dr. Fom Men, by Zoom. After eight years of service Russ Kadoe resigned for health reasons and we were very fortunate in finding Dr. Fom Men whose husband teaches at MIT. Russ really helped her understand the job and she took the reins with a minimum of problems.</p><p>Thanks to so many donors saying, "use where most needed," we were able to help KBC Hospital and Matthew 25 Love Hospital with money so they could take the very necessary steps to deal with the virus.</p><p>We have sixteen board members who deserve our applause for their activism and commitment to the goals of FOB. John Peterson continued to spread the word among his friends, Show Ei Tun gave us valuable feedback from Myanmar (Burma). Adam Maung ably presided over our annual meeting. Lwin Moe, in Canada, gave valuable aid with various computer problems. Saw Htaw Plaw Htoo took on the treasurer’s jop and filing the 990 tax form for FOB. The instructions for that form are 78 pages long! After 36 years FOB is still a volunteer organization in the U. S. Our overhead is still less than 1.1%.</p><p><b>Saw Htaw’s Report on FOB finances. </b> </p><p>Friends of Burma, Inc. received from donors, endowment, grants, and all sources for FOB programs a total of $266,617.22. In this amount there was $59,432 designated for orphanages; $55,435 for Christian education for Institutions; Special ministry projects $25,036; Health care $12,430; Christian Education Scholarships $10,640; Humanitarian Relief $7,060; Ministry Organizational Support $5,000; Ministry Support for Specific Individuals $3,950; Loan Repayment $774.13; and Scholarship Aid in U. S. $300. An additional $86,560 was received from undesignated donations, endowment, grants, etc. The annual budget for FOB programs was $65,170, which came from that $86,560 undesignated money. Expenses in Myanmar were $4,300, mostly salary for our financial secretary. Expenses in the U.S. were $1,351, mostly for postage and printing of our three newsletters. So our total overhead was $5,651. </p><p>FOB also received $289,762.50 on behalf of our partnership ministries which was passed on to those organizations’ programs in Burma. They were charged 1% for administering their funds. </p><p>Therefore in 2020 FOB handled a total of $556,379.72 for programs for the people of Burma. Overhead was $5,651 or 1.01 % of income.</p><p><b>Aspects of FOB’s Programs</b>. It constantly amazes me how God is able to use us. A donor sent us a donation with the notation that it be used for nurse's training. There was no such request on our Wish List. We had no one waiting for such help. But within a week we learned that a graduate of one of our orphanages wanted to take nurses training. So God provided even before we knew the need.</p><p>We had 35 donations of $50 each to be given to a poor person in Burma. Here is one of the reports.</p><p>"<i>I am a minister serving in a Bible School and I usually visit villages on the weekend to see the real situation in the community. During the Christmas season this year, I got a chance to go for a leprosy mission, which is in Mayan Chaung village.</i></p><p><i>After meeting U Tun Tin and listening to his life history, I was impressed and had compassion on him. U Tun Tin was from Thaung Gyi village, Kyone Pyaw district, Ayeyawady division. He was rejected by the community because of leprosy disease and had to live in a grave. After that, he was discovered by the Christian leprosy community in Mayan Chaung. At that time, he had already lost some fingers and one eye. After arriving Mayan Chaung, one leg was also amputated below the knee. In 2003, for the first time, a prosthesis was made at Mawlamyine Southern Leprosy Hospital. However, the prosthesis was damaged and is now in need of a new prosthesis. Walking on crutches is not comfortable for 65-year-old U Tun Tin.</i></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYPdn7E7UH8Z2PTtEE4b2oa9kmGjyZDZUWRUh2D5IQhrqG2dRbsco1UT8mc9R9ZllDHO8m2fs5GkeZ86cBBPPjEVXT3sNMLniOfHdZCoxNBEK3HB9mHW4znU47SBtjSHobILrRV_0nG8ha/s698/u_tun_tin.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="504" data-original-width="698" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYPdn7E7UH8Z2PTtEE4b2oa9kmGjyZDZUWRUh2D5IQhrqG2dRbsco1UT8mc9R9ZllDHO8m2fs5GkeZ86cBBPPjEVXT3sNMLniOfHdZCoxNBEK3HB9mHW4znU47SBtjSHobILrRV_0nG8ha/w400-h289/u_tun_tin.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><i>U Tun Tin is a poor leprosy victim. However, he tries hard for his survival without giving up. Therefore, I chose him to share 50 USD as a Christmas present.</i><p></p><p><i>After receiving the Christmas present wonderfully and happily, U Tun Tin says "Praise the Lord for the Christmas present! Now I have the opportunity to walk. Thank you, Jesus, and also thank you the giver."</i></p><p><i>Best regards, Shwe Gyan</i>"</p><p>The persons who act as our agents and give out the $50 are very glad to do it. </p><p><b>Partners in Christ</b>.</p><p>God has laid some projects on the hearts of some persons here. If what they want to do to help the people in Burma lines up with FOB’s mission statement, then FOB partners with them. We can give their donors tax deduction which saves them on their income taxes. We can get the money into Burma at a cost of 1%--far less than the banks. And we can get their donations into the hands of their contacts there.</p><p>One man’s father had leprosy and was greatly helped by the Leprosy Hospital at Moulmein years ago. The son was able to come to the U. S. and he has had a good life here. So now the son is raising money for two leprosy hospitals in Burma in gratitude of the help his father received.</p><p>A brother of a former missionary to Burma and the daughter of that missionary annually support an orphanage in Taunggyi and work among the PaOs.</p><p>Several children and grandchildren of Burma missionaries are continuing the work of these missionaries by supporting projects in Burma.</p><p><b>Lightning for Learning</b>. An American and Burmese couple visited Burma and two orphanages. They learned the orphans were not motivated to do well in school because if they did well, there was no money to help them continue their education. God called this couple to found Lightning for Learning which is celebrating 5 years of Running the Race of Life to Love, providing scholarships for university students from the Hpu Saw Bu and Kwe Lwe orphanages. In 2016, the team kicked off with a 26.1 mile marathon with donations over $28,000. Over 70 families now sponsor these students. Every subsequent year the team runs a half marathon, with prayer, support, and supplication for the orphans. 2020 races included a half marathon in Yangon for the Matthew Love clinic building fund, and 6 virtual races: five 5 k races, and another half marathon. Our January 2020 orphanage visits brought joy to see the orphans grow in stature and health, praise God through songs, and exhibit love for each other. Our university students provided testimonies and encouragement to their younger brothers and sisters. It is a privilege to experience God’s love through the eyes of these precious youth. Thank you to our sponsors, our liaison Naw Magnolia, and our partner, Friends of Burma. God makes it all possible because of their dedication. </p><p>Our present students include Saw Ja Say Bo (HR Management), Naw Bway Khu (Geography), Saw Mar Gay (Education), Naw Phyo Thandary (Nurse Aide), Saw Nay Zaw (Community Leadership and Social Science), Naw Freedar (Education), Saw Kyaw Htet Aung (Education), and Saw Gler Gler (Seminary). God’s Hands and Blessings be upon all these diligent, dedicated, and faithful students!</p><p>This family helps the graduates of two orphanages. There are seven other orphanages with no one to help their graduates. Is God calling you to sponsor such graduates? Cost is $500 per year for each graduate.</p><p>Two Karen families each have programs to help the Karens in Burma and FOB partners with them for tax deduction and to get the money in. I praise God that he had touched so many hearts to give to help their people. </p><p>These dedicated people so enrich our lives. I like to think that our donors, when they get to heaven, will get to see what their faithful donations have accomplished year after year.</p><p>Baptist International Ministries have appointed Eric and Yuree Lembke to be missionaries to Kawthulei Karen Baptist Bible School and College on the Burma- Thai border. They are graduates of Bacone College and are now raising money for their support. Their e-mail is: lembke@internationalministries.org</p><p><b>Another report regarding the $50 Christmas gifts</b>. These Christmas gifts are given out on the bases of need, not affiliation. Below is an unedited report from Pastor Tlung Awm.</p><p><i>Dear Friends of Burma,</i></p><p><i>My name is Tlung Awm (Moses) and serving the Lord as a pastor and General Secretary of Myanmar Apostolic Churches Network for 15 years, then doing as a Mission director of Rakhine State mission fields for four years, which is also under Myanmar Apostolic Churches Network.</i></p><p><i>Pastor Soe Lwin was converted from Buddhist background and now he is doing ministry as a pastor at his home village. He had a gastric two months ago and then he will be doing operation the second time this week (may be on January 5). He is the most financially needy pastor in the current situation.</i></p><p><i>I did a distribution to him of 65000 kyats and he got it and he was happy for that and he said that it will be very helpful for his medications, thank you so much to you all for your helping me in my difficult situation. God bless you all.</i></p><p><i>Pastor Soe Lwin is doing pastor work in his home village (Bama village). His church members are converted from Buddhist backgrounds. We (Myanmar Apostolic Churches Network) could not support him in financial support, but we supported him in prayers and encouragements. Now he is having difficult times for his medication treatment. Please pray for him.</i></p><p><i>As a village pastor, who does not have a regular salary, it is very difficult when it comes to health issues. This Christmas gift means a lot to him. He was very surprised and happy to receive the gift.</i></p><p><i>We are so thankful for this Christmas gift program of Friends of Burma. We learnt how to share with the needy in creative ways through this program.</i></p><p><i>In His Ministry, Pastor Tlung Awm (Moses)</i></p><p><b>Conference on Micro Credit or Self help groups for March, 2020 postponed</b>. </p><p>Naw Paw Gaw was trained in the Philippines to start Self Help groups usually of women to do small businesses to give them income for schools, medicine and their children’s needs. Usually she forms groups of twelve to sixteen women and teaches them the fundamentals of business. The women work together helping each other develop small enterprises such as sewing, pig raising, chickens, beauty parlours, small shops, traditional clothing, and so on. She gives them a small loan and they start their businesses. They then pay back their loans so that other groups can be started.</p><p>Cyclone Nargis wiped out fourteen of her groups by killing the participants or the products they were raising. One of her helpers lost 47 relatives to Nargis. But Naw Paw Gaw continued to start groups. She is employed by ZOE a Karen Women’s Organization. Naturally ZOE wants her to work mostly with Karens but gave her permission to hold a Myanmar wide conference for all other ethnic groups. It was projected to have 60 participants, 10 who have started groups and 50 interested in starting groups. FOB would pay the cost of their coming to Yangon, renting facilities and feeding them. This was to cost $2,400. It would allow many more other ethnic groups to learn how to form such groups and so give them economic development.</p><p>The new participants would pair up and start a group after the conference. If each of the 50 participants started one group, then at least 300 women would benefit. (25 x 12) If each group needed $300 to start ($25 loan to each of 12 women) then a total of $7,500 would be needed as seed money. That was a figure FOB could hopefully meet devoting most of the "use where most needed" funds to it. It has taken years to get ZOE to agree to let Naw Paw Gaw lead this conference and it looked like at last the conference would happen. But then Corona Virus hit and the conference was postponed. </p><p>We still have hopes for it in 2021 or 2022.</p><p><b>Here are reports from two Self Help Groups</b>. In Burma, 100,000 kyats make one lakh or $77.00. So 20,00000 is 20 lakh or $1,540.00</p><p><b>Mara Chin Women Group</b></p><p>This women group is living in Chin state. The purpose of this group is to support women whose children are students in their family. They create ways to receive more income for education support for their students. For women they only have tradition weaving and agriculture. So woman pastor, Rev. Mai Ki, has a plan for women to earn extra income by a Yam Plantation. It has regular market demand and they can grow in local land and they can receive the seed of Yam plants from the local people.</p><p>Rev. Mai Ki has started with Mrs. Ngechai who has 5 daughters and one son. Their family owns only few small pieces lands for traditional farming and it could not afford well for children education. So we provide 300,000 kyats from FOB fund to start the Yam plantation. For one container of seed (16 Kilo) she has to pay 60,000 kyats and she can buy 5 containers. She begins her plantation on June and harvest time is in March. From 5 containers she gets 1,000 plants and from 1,000 plants she will receive 130 Kilogram within 3 years. Every year this lady has to pass one container of seed to another woman until 5 containers have been given but the rest of the products of yam are belongs to Ngechai. The price of yam is 10,000 Ks for .65 Kilo and for 3 years she will gain 20,00000 Ks for 130 kilo. This income is extra income for them apart from their regular farming products. Now Mrs. Ngechai has already passed one container of seeds to another member and she has already started for second year. She is happy and willing to do it because this plantation is in her local place which can work with her family members and she has many experiences and skillful in this work.</p><p>The leader Rev. Mai Ki said that in future there will be a new factory of Yam Noodle which will be set up in Mandalay. So it will be a new market demand for them.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7KLsFRcZtgyWH_U2JVCQCuuvVb8bXDR37A7BfHHERLg6cjceobqpOZSoDLx6Oyj6wLAkPhBXf26mO5UCixEaYfXBiK8bZ9rdAvj-9kkDtKfWu5OYM6MpJdrZtzJqcTtozyWiWd9lO20ui/s667/Ngechai_yam_harvest.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="667" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7KLsFRcZtgyWH_U2JVCQCuuvVb8bXDR37A7BfHHERLg6cjceobqpOZSoDLx6Oyj6wLAkPhBXf26mO5UCixEaYfXBiK8bZ9rdAvj-9kkDtKfWu5OYM6MpJdrZtzJqcTtozyWiWd9lO20ui/w400-h300/Ngechai_yam_harvest.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mrs. Ngechai & her Yam harvest</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOHABQqTy1F_DDwwcqIxQNpBWDDCWRtJrr-ZZ1P4-x8qanQcXT674NXem3D0VFgYdmZPmuVtvahM4sW_46yRUptXW-iqsqEme1ricn9JvNytxr8uOjivoklp2Vcfg2mYsT2gL6c74tDL-S/s665/Ngechai_family.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="498" data-original-width="665" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOHABQqTy1F_DDwwcqIxQNpBWDDCWRtJrr-ZZ1P4-x8qanQcXT674NXem3D0VFgYdmZPmuVtvahM4sW_46yRUptXW-iqsqEme1ricn9JvNytxr8uOjivoklp2Vcfg2mYsT2gL6c74tDL-S/w400-h300/Ngechai_family.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mrs. Ngechai Family</td></tr></tbody></table><p><b>Samurana Women Group</b></p><p>This women group is led by a pastor wife at Samurana Karen Baptist Church at Bago Township. It has 20 members, and they meet twice in a year. They save the money at least 1000 Ks and above. Most of them are government staff, farmers, house wife and students. In this group they don’t have business women but they are willingly organizing themselves to be a group. They have regular saving amount to the group but they never use loan for their private business. They usually take loan from the group for the needs within their family members. By using loan for emergency needs of family they can protect themselves from money lenders who demand the high interest rate in communities. Thus these group members have saved from the danger of unreasonable high rate of interest. In the group the interest rate is reasonable and they decide together that only 3% per month and all interest amounts are going into the group account. This group started from 500000 Ks in 2018 and up to now they get running fund is almost 20,00000 Ks. They have witness that this saving activity is very helpful for their urgent need and they also gain saving habit and also team work spirit.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0QiSVK6xq1FFNuDYRMumcIXW2NWkM16sZEF1uwjNWKLjQEKguR2wCwJUC0C0O7oAgm8e0M1D_XuWM6Gsoe97gt8ftCIivpZujG3Z3GTudYoilcYMo9se4WHEfh3LbHQG0M4pb7uQx6RKJ/s705/naw_lar.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="529" data-original-width="705" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0QiSVK6xq1FFNuDYRMumcIXW2NWkM16sZEF1uwjNWKLjQEKguR2wCwJUC0C0O7oAgm8e0M1D_XuWM6Gsoe97gt8ftCIivpZujG3Z3GTudYoilcYMo9se4WHEfh3LbHQG0M4pb7uQx6RKJ/w400-h300/naw_lar.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thramu Naw Lar (Pastor’s Wife)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJsfZKyC81TTuux43meP2G69pvzQBrB_fVaCZ6s6E-uOBFjaWlZ_3Lr-xVkIruOugATDprhv6OI-5F6DETAeskc7Fy7C0nkKzznmz6pKBXDJpvGLu5cthjMuT9mIWNN9EhyphenhyphenwE71v7ryCjq/s705/Samurana_women_group.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" data-original-height="529" data-original-width="705" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJsfZKyC81TTuux43meP2G69pvzQBrB_fVaCZ6s6E-uOBFjaWlZ_3Lr-xVkIruOugATDprhv6OI-5F6DETAeskc7Fy7C0nkKzznmz6pKBXDJpvGLu5cthjMuT9mIWNN9EhyphenhyphenwE71v7ryCjq/w400-h300/Samurana_women_group.jpeg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Samurana women group members</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><b>Karen Devotional Book</b>. An FOB board member put together a team that wrote "Karen Stories of God's Glory"—a four month devotional book of Karen experiences in English and Karen. It is available for $15 post paid from Tansy Kadoe at: tansymu@gmail.com It is really an inspiring book. And it makes graphically clear what the Karens have been through.<br /><p><b>WISH LIST</b>.</p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Eye glasses for a needy student $18.00.</li><li>Hearing aid for pastor $50.00</li><li>Sponsor a self help group for $300 or a member of such a group for $25.</li><li>Scholarship for bright student. $400 a year for 4 years.</li><li>The graduates of seven orphanages who could go on, can't due to no sponsor. Cost is $500 per year, usually a four year program.</li></ol><p></p><p>Why is #5 more than #4? #4 students have families and churches who will help them some while the orphans have no one to help them.</p><p>This newsletter compiled by Diana & Neil Sowards, Saw Htaw Plaw Htoo, Naw Paw Gaw, and information supplied by Dr. Fom Men, our financial secretary in Myanmar.</p><p><strong>Friends of Burma, Inc.</strong> <em>548 Home Ave. Ft. Wayne, IN 46807</em><br /><em>Tel. 260-745-3658, Email: president@friendsofburma.org<br />Website: <a href="http://friendsofburma.org/">http://friendsofburma.org</a>, Blog: <a href="http://blog.friendsofburma.org/">http://blog.friendsofburma.org</a></em><br /><em>E-Newsletters: <a href="http://news.friendsofburma.org/">http://news.friendsofburma.org</a></em></p></div>Lwin Moehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07744752229286096883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3863369074070826888.post-19930666512808035212020-09-18T18:25:00.000-04:002020-09-18T18:25:33.218-04:00Friends of Burma, Inc. Newsletter Fall 2020<h3 style="text-align: left;">Congratulations to Saw Lah Eh Shee!</h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyC3SnHPbKaK04uL8o3sZ-A6HsBaJE1d8Gu6o2e9iJPs0tl9Py9KAGSlqWpFluIy_oSQwZlRXrqyARrTIiOp894R6_B6XdygtPNzO57_VqkO7qXe7sKswUN4em8adA6aWuUULTsn2cJzRA/s2048/119482051_245275390135719_8768198970835804444_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyC3SnHPbKaK04uL8o3sZ-A6HsBaJE1d8Gu6o2e9iJPs0tl9Py9KAGSlqWpFluIy_oSQwZlRXrqyARrTIiOp894R6_B6XdygtPNzO57_VqkO7qXe7sKswUN4em8adA6aWuUULTsn2cJzRA/w400-h266/119482051_245275390135719_8768198970835804444_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Friends of Burma provided scholarship for Saw Lah Eh Shee to study Master of Music, majoring in Instrumental Conducting at the Silliman University in Dumaguete City, Philippines. He is a faculty from Ko Tha Byu Seminary in Pathein and intends to serve there.</p><p>We are delighted to announce that Saw La Eh Shee graduated. However, challenges remain for him as he is stuck in Manila due to COVID-19 and is waiting for a relief flight to return to Myanmar. Once he gets back to Myanmar, he will have to quarantine for a total of 42 days. But, Saw Lah Eh Shee is not one to sit idle. He is working on a series of lecture-videos teaching music. He also plans to organize local composers and publish yearly choir books. Opening a music school is his ultimate goal. He is grateful to Friends of Burma “for being with me during difficult times.” </p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Praise God for YOU!</h3><div><b>by Neil Sowards, President, FOB</b></div><p>I am grateful to all FOB partners for your gracious hearts and generous hands. One of the FOB’s programs that surprises and encourages me is the Christmas Gift program. I am surprised by the magnitude of impact these gifts have on people. I am encouraged by the focus of giving shifting from the ritual to the necessity. Those who were asked to give also gained so much satisfaction and joy. So, please remember to continue to make this gift for this coming Christmas. </p><p><i>“Christmas this year is wonderful for me. I got a call from Saw Sweetie, who arranged your Santa Claus gifts for the less fortunate. I was very pleased to be a part of this program. I exchanged the $50 to Myanmar kyats. There are so many people in need. But, I chose a young widow with two sons. I bought them warm clothes. We sat together praising God. I was so happy to see their faces light up with smiles as they received the gifts. I said the gift is from the Santa Claus. They said, “Thank you, Santa Claus, for the Christmas gifts.” May the Lord shower His blessings upon you as always. Amen.”</i> ~ Chris</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Report from Hinthada Karen Baptist Church Bible School (HKBBS)</h3><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHWrPOMBbVVl9UoLjeWF8w1SE7SpJtQEKdrN1ajm6sxgkPUClmLcnmrBE0BOcdfr48x3-Rc9t-nar5lMVaXRhOMf5ApfpG7xnREp00I32v9H6ggGCxN6TaLU6ZaLv0x9009Y49EPCUAIsh/s2048/119563239_955093784969264_8723602877146629276_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHWrPOMBbVVl9UoLjeWF8w1SE7SpJtQEKdrN1ajm6sxgkPUClmLcnmrBE0BOcdfr48x3-Rc9t-nar5lMVaXRhOMf5ApfpG7xnREp00I32v9H6ggGCxN6TaLU6ZaLv0x9009Y49EPCUAIsh/w400-h300/119563239_955093784969264_8723602877146629276_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><i>We praise the Lord for giving us good fellow-workers in His ministry. On behalf of our school, I express our deepest gratitude to FOB. Nearly every year, FOB purchased books for our library. For this 2020-2021 academic year, as soon as we received your donation, we went to Yangon and bought much needed Christian literature and theological books. Now, we have 2,401 books in English, 898 books in Karen, and 2,699 books in Burmese, magazines, and daily newspapers. We are gradually upgrading our library. Thank you for your kindness. We hope that you will continue to work with HKBBS in the future. May God be with you and bless you always!</i> ~ <b>Tha Doh Paw, Principal</b><p></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Report from Kawthoolei Karen Baptist Bible School and College (KKBBSC)</h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhedRUh9xUuhatKBJXgPXk3sV7T9AZAvaG6iYQ9MPK7OQ1QTxJazan6vDMrXaan4Perc-O90iBd2GAj4ErC-yz9rnuDSin2NlghBSg4B-9x7l3hULV9i4Oxy1bfr_JXdjtl7xW4VnTG2g_z/s1430/119472052_455093315452114_2346322588280412811_n.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="953" data-original-width="1430" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhedRUh9xUuhatKBJXgPXk3sV7T9AZAvaG6iYQ9MPK7OQ1QTxJazan6vDMrXaan4Perc-O90iBd2GAj4ErC-yz9rnuDSin2NlghBSg4B-9x7l3hULV9i4Oxy1bfr_JXdjtl7xW4VnTG2g_z/w400-h266/119472052_455093315452114_2346322588280412811_n.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX_ZmdotOJUpCRyJG_D6ou5JntB4EO9Uwzc1ez9qoe2OEDlOQlyGHEgoO_7eUK7cJCJalwj9t5jkhyphenhyphenry-XtAJ_Zj_lvLHgW13RvXVzTwgmEeaSNdMLGz2NB4SnNk__3QT9RS9n1tGwXiWL/s960/119574077_370669977430285_3848671272962860775_n.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX_ZmdotOJUpCRyJG_D6ou5JntB4EO9Uwzc1ez9qoe2OEDlOQlyGHEgoO_7eUK7cJCJalwj9t5jkhyphenhyphenry-XtAJ_Zj_lvLHgW13RvXVzTwgmEeaSNdMLGz2NB4SnNk__3QT9RS9n1tGwXiWL/w400-h300/119574077_370669977430285_3848671272962860775_n.png" width="400" /></a></div><p>The world is struggling to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic. Likewise, this year has been a challenge for KKBBSC community as we are in the face of this ongoing battle. Since the beginning of the year, the school had to hastily adjust to unexpected circumstances. Most of the students could not return home after graduation since the camp was on lockdown.</p><p>KKBBSC reopened in July, later than usual, for 435 students. We had to limit the numbers of the new students compared to the previous years. Students from other camps, as well as inside Thailand and Burma, are restricted to enter Mae La Refugee Camp. As classes resume, we need many things. What tops our need is food; we can no longer depend on rations. There are many students and teachers who get no food supply from the camp and have to depend on support from others. Adjustment has been quite challenging for the teachers and students. We are challenged socially, politically, economically, physically and religiously. However, even in these darkest hours, God is with us. The lockdown has helped us to stay connected with God and one another. It also helps us to not contract the virus from outside. We could not imagine if only one person contracts the virus, as we do not have a good health care system and thousands of people in the camp live together tightly in a very small area. However, it is quite challenging for people who have serious health issues, because they cannot leave the camp to see the doctor and go to the hospital.</p><p>In the midst of challenges, we found the presence of God nearest to us through the love and prayers of friends around the world, as we also pray for the world to be healed. We truly appreciate Friends of Burma for your faithful support in helping our KKBBSC whenever we are in need. Our prayer is that the Lord be with you and take care of you. Let us continue to pray for one another!</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Welcome to the Team, Dr. Fom Men!</h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphenSF9x9KyE87ZVUx9w6_MaDMvSDSCj7WjpHnDLDP1X0rIzUiUueOpDxLiOKD0fiNbrDbER14d6HmNa1v97J8Mxwg6aepnQn7SsHSbxGTohQjl0r3kbgMStZMqzb0C5jf9QbAF7CdOVoTD/s492/119048352_755739901876558_3417179726657851867_n.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="453" data-original-width="492" height="369" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphenSF9x9KyE87ZVUx9w6_MaDMvSDSCj7WjpHnDLDP1X0rIzUiUueOpDxLiOKD0fiNbrDbER14d6HmNa1v97J8Mxwg6aepnQn7SsHSbxGTohQjl0r3kbgMStZMqzb0C5jf9QbAF7CdOVoTD/w400-h369/119048352_755739901876558_3417179726657851867_n.png" width="400" /></a></div><p>We offer our heart-felt gratitude to Russ Kadoe for faithfully serving FOB for eight years as our representative in Myanmar. His excellent contribution was instrumental for our success. FOB was blessed with a new representative. Dr. Fom Men has a keen heart to serve and bless others. Moreover, Dr. Fom Men came with a high caliber of education, a Doctor of Ministry degree from Central Theological Seminary and Myanmar Institute of Theology. Moreover, Dr. Fom Men’s husband, Rev. Dr. Thomas Cung Bik, serves at Myanmar Institute of Theology as an associate professor. They have an eight-year-old son, Amos, and a six-year-old daughter, Lydia.</p><div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Thank You, KBC Hospital Staff!</h3><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmNNN9vcyzWgQHBQE2OsgSxoXcpl3ubYsyridDAs1vAzqk68h64YgbT_wH8W31ynAohedyre8cYJ29ygkVpjOjLsGwmRE1vwX0vWiXzBhq4OS18-10R3d1UfsL3DT3wlJKKyuZq_io8vdp/s750/119211667_652261972388689_1183981516746133299_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="750" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmNNN9vcyzWgQHBQE2OsgSxoXcpl3ubYsyridDAs1vAzqk68h64YgbT_wH8W31ynAohedyre8cYJ29ygkVpjOjLsGwmRE1vwX0vWiXzBhq4OS18-10R3d1UfsL3DT3wlJKKyuZq_io8vdp/w400-h400/119211667_652261972388689_1183981516746133299_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div>COVID-19 puts many U.S. hospitals, healthcare workers, and resources under tremendous strain that has never been experienced before. Imagine running an already cramped-hospital in areas with vulnerable populations, fragile healthcare systems, and scarce resources! That is what KBC Hospital is facing these days. In May, KBC hospital took drastic steps for safety measures. They instituted a safety plan, conducted drills, and acquired or hand-made PPEs. The picture below is a standing infrared thermometer. While preparing the best they can, KBC Hospital staff understands their protection comes from the Lord. They continue to march on with the theme they always follow, “We Treat, God Heals.” Recently, there was a patient who accidentally swallowed battery acid liquid, which shut down her internal organs. She was on the brink of death and no other hospital was able to accept her as a patient free of charge. KBC Hospital was able to treat her quickly using the funds from FOB, which saved her life. Now, she needs to be transferred to a government hospital that offers a higher level of care and KBC Hospital is supporting her through that. This patient is slowly recovering. Together, we are serving our neighbors. Praise be to God! </div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSz2hNESiWOb7ToQvgAmaPMULO0cMfTEL3UH_9olxl1qVABbTgKWliDggsiOuTSy-Vn4jT7rsUesNxOxaVw2hyz9YuiOh4yG0vFzul4vVXYNx12nEa5gsvgx_1mXZMejzrRh2YNZ2d70pI/s2048/119646880_343268863391245_1225575309269854002_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="729" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSz2hNESiWOb7ToQvgAmaPMULO0cMfTEL3UH_9olxl1qVABbTgKWliDggsiOuTSy-Vn4jT7rsUesNxOxaVw2hyz9YuiOh4yG0vFzul4vVXYNx12nEa5gsvgx_1mXZMejzrRh2YNZ2d70pI/w143-h400/119646880_343268863391245_1225575309269854002_n.jpg" width="143" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlmZHeBF3-gthGrXCs2aLEhoN7WPG4hONkNPtlHMK27ZoBG-AI8B3NtsrKk5dMmv_IQjp3AWAXusSG70ceS0W7myK5iRugPrHT_dyKDGtkoxJlZInPRjW2St6zAq8CtT5Dx_1N2krnh1WU/s960/119567097_2748447935440252_7296116048640372150_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlmZHeBF3-gthGrXCs2aLEhoN7WPG4hONkNPtlHMK27ZoBG-AI8B3NtsrKk5dMmv_IQjp3AWAXusSG70ceS0W7myK5iRugPrHT_dyKDGtkoxJlZInPRjW2St6zAq8CtT5Dx_1N2krnh1WU/s320/119567097_2748447935440252_7296116048640372150_n.jpg" /></a></div></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Report from Myanmar Institute of Theology (MIT)</h3><div>Greetings from (MIT)! Your contribution is so precious for MIT community. It has reached us when we are badly in need of help for the building to accommodate our growing student body and to offer a healthy environment. Kindly continue to pray for us and help us continuously with the fundraising for the building until we complete it. <i>~ Rev. Dr. Samuel Ngun Ling, President</i></div><div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Report from Akha Baptist Bible School</h3><div>I hope you are in good health and happy in the serving the Lord. We are happy and healthy by God’s grace. Thank you so much for your donation, which we used to provide eye glasses for 16 students. The gift of seeing is a very precious gift and we are grateful. <i>~ Naw Nor Mi, Principal</i></div></div><div><br /></div><div>Eyeglasses were also provided for students from Wa Baptist Bible School and Hinthada Karen Baptist Bible School. We were informed the cost for eyeglasses has drastically increased.</div><h3 style="text-align: left;">ZOE Women Empowerment Program</h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvMOQTgP8ca76BREp5JDDRch7jernstP87rkqlm1EfAzeXXVuDqFMQ5N9Bt-bP50f5TSsHioXfW6lHVdZZnO6o02rVcuYzT9E2E3qrvpCAvplfW24THg8MO-mBiWbn9nHWS9SukvzAlsq6/s960/119181322_634384290809972_5190048016438207106_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvMOQTgP8ca76BREp5JDDRch7jernstP87rkqlm1EfAzeXXVuDqFMQ5N9Bt-bP50f5TSsHioXfW6lHVdZZnO6o02rVcuYzT9E2E3qrvpCAvplfW24THg8MO-mBiWbn9nHWS9SukvzAlsq6/w400-h300/119181322_634384290809972_5190048016438207106_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>The Myanmar government has allowed 130 Mro families from the conflict area of Yakhaing State to temporarily resettle in Hlegoo township, 30 miles North of Yangon, as migrant workers. ZOE has been working with the Mros community to meet both short-term emergency needs as well as long-term income opportunities. As the migrant workers are willing to put their various weaving skills to work, ZOE has started an income generating program with them to earn sustainable income. We were delighted to meet some of the emergency needs and also buy eye glasses for them. Zoe conveyed their heart-felt thanks for the funding we provided for their capacity development initiatives. We look forward to hearing more information about this wonderful ministry in the next newsletter.</p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Greetings from KBC Orphanage Care Shelters</h3><p>Peace, joy, and good health to our partners in Christ! This has been a very difficult season for us just as it is for others. While schools are closed and we have concerns for the health of our children, we are trying our best to keep them active and engaged in health habits and learning activities. Each day, what keeps us busy are: Bible study, sewing, wood-chopping, crafting, gardening, music, animals, and much more. So far, everyone is healthy. All first though ninth-grade students are promoted to the next grade. We have three students who matriculated. Please remember us in your prayers. Knowing you are with us and supporting us really is encouraging. We are thinking of you during this difficult time and praying for strength for you.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDnEq2TnTaAfLtKP9CjtM8cBC5iLkADcClMomGK68ydYQQhyphenhyphenOXxuc8KOVR3RDox96UaQOzF-Y4YY3kVmOp5I6AeOZZ2unLaGGDTGzlvd_5MqcrhHiYQHb-nOBrWk3S_eJHGqXq1gSKVNUR/s518/119071764_855396875265791_3130191899512946083_n.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="412" data-original-width="518" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDnEq2TnTaAfLtKP9CjtM8cBC5iLkADcClMomGK68ydYQQhyphenhyphenOXxuc8KOVR3RDox96UaQOzF-Y4YY3kVmOp5I6AeOZZ2unLaGGDTGzlvd_5MqcrhHiYQHb-nOBrWk3S_eJHGqXq1gSKVNUR/w400-h319/119071764_855396875265791_3130191899512946083_n.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh07Yj4GFQXtb0NpT4q-kIMFAjhnFHr0VSeMDmMpJ-PnTyif-8uLaqp7GK-BMMl_SmlBZW6hK5GodMzHVNeq8Iq6dgsDiQKHWOxPUV_PLnSsa98kf7-p3lbOSOaV4CcIAu3mqM8pKmGydlq/s504/119093864_2846269922362327_6377068326317273749_n.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="504" data-original-width="406" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh07Yj4GFQXtb0NpT4q-kIMFAjhnFHr0VSeMDmMpJ-PnTyif-8uLaqp7GK-BMMl_SmlBZW6hK5GodMzHVNeq8Iq6dgsDiQKHWOxPUV_PLnSsa98kf7-p3lbOSOaV4CcIAu3mqM8pKmGydlq/w323-h400/119093864_2846269922362327_6377068326317273749_n.png" width="323" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM2572QugaN_0Y5xmIqHsn7oUQrhwjYGe2WPYQtXYH6Gk03Ce1qef63Yji4zMlwnuBz51r4sE5t9mkos7_XZ2XqPBdez_tJTuIBWkpdF1OYPFcHkffzy3FrHvfGd96iJtwYO_7M752oCKS/s543/119139408_1036175966834347_149088105165602129_n.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="543" data-original-width="433" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM2572QugaN_0Y5xmIqHsn7oUQrhwjYGe2WPYQtXYH6Gk03Ce1qef63Yji4zMlwnuBz51r4sE5t9mkos7_XZ2XqPBdez_tJTuIBWkpdF1OYPFcHkffzy3FrHvfGd96iJtwYO_7M752oCKS/w319-h400/119139408_1036175966834347_149088105165602129_n.png" width="319" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="422" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkW_puOyrInGcjPVRrejRkgrDJOu587v6hRPSrfcX6XYjnvEatR_NSWZfu9Bks5VjvxoJZEJZyuK9I-M1JomPmcdQuMdOCUSW0_TpBqsiKPgBhDRm6gcKmPA2SeI7WRwnepWxAKUK0iczG/w316-h400/119514540_3378725858870289_8016793881602309055_n.png" width="316" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkHS64HT0CkbNCI0l9dPRXF2Jn889xwGelRsQ2nGW4GKLyszFaAYpfoMzvREWpq_XrnOcORprwGNk6eI1KfqAsLtk7ddb1he2AETDU6RpMmyrGO6R_hUXW2H7Iach2CNbGfCdhX2hmuPNF/s489/119603559_967067370372366_9157672588595078506_n.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="416" data-original-width="489" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkHS64HT0CkbNCI0l9dPRXF2Jn889xwGelRsQ2nGW4GKLyszFaAYpfoMzvREWpq_XrnOcORprwGNk6eI1KfqAsLtk7ddb1he2AETDU6RpMmyrGO6R_hUXW2H7Iach2CNbGfCdhX2hmuPNF/w400-h340/119603559_967067370372366_9157672588595078506_n.png" width="400" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Relief and Rehabilitation Committee for Chin IDPs (RRCCI)</h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNk_yginzsplVadr2WATtxgms09jOdlszE9cbJA9OiYteHVzBWyPtUuJVSSKsBVo6FK9v7TwQbF8CpEsUXxWSs93kXHLMDGdf8Pd0ASiTVgnnaydxGt9oP8m3TxbY3b5OcoHJAyXPcSFeD/s653/119095708_972528569881057_7976239916289884985_n.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="489" data-original-width="653" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNk_yginzsplVadr2WATtxgms09jOdlszE9cbJA9OiYteHVzBWyPtUuJVSSKsBVo6FK9v7TwQbF8CpEsUXxWSs93kXHLMDGdf8Pd0ASiTVgnnaydxGt9oP8m3TxbY3b5OcoHJAyXPcSFeD/w400-h299/119095708_972528569881057_7976239916289884985_n.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdQ6wqkPE7Z-C3fhiRh_hTgtMlYEhOnAjXOE4SYTVCT9DyWtK2FImy3Z62uT9BYvrMCI2FQ_mE6PsOA8OwM8AqnynNJ2lN8RDZX4mOx9Z8dPgKQLZ_WWBrnW75CHYtqDWwmgwHM3YILgO8/s619/119071893_662615024680664_1266311579013377065_n.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="464" data-original-width="619" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdQ6wqkPE7Z-C3fhiRh_hTgtMlYEhOnAjXOE4SYTVCT9DyWtK2FImy3Z62uT9BYvrMCI2FQ_mE6PsOA8OwM8AqnynNJ2lN8RDZX4mOx9Z8dPgKQLZ_WWBrnW75CHYtqDWwmgwHM3YILgO8/w400-h300/119071893_662615024680664_1266311579013377065_n.png" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The Relief and Rehabilitation Committee for Chin IDPs (RRCCI) serves war victims with donations and charities received from national and international organizations, individual donors, and religious organizations. Areas the RRCCI serves are: shelters, food and clothing, transportation and medical assistance, women and children support, and education. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY1IR0yvGQcB08bP3YxP9PgPoN9LJMaV1cfSo_OnM_7SbK-LWwF2mo-24IgjaU3ITG_OcCGb4jUoKPjqxfXQ3b7ZjTuSO1NEADKpSrXtSULMHAwU0hFwxvxM2SstES9Uo_JwtGSs8AzW7b/s650/119174877_267670010888993_1632380483159109323_n.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="366" data-original-width="650" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY1IR0yvGQcB08bP3YxP9PgPoN9LJMaV1cfSo_OnM_7SbK-LWwF2mo-24IgjaU3ITG_OcCGb4jUoKPjqxfXQ3b7ZjTuSO1NEADKpSrXtSULMHAwU0hFwxvxM2SstES9Uo_JwtGSs8AzW7b/w400-h225/119174877_267670010888993_1632380483159109323_n.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc5dSI_ZOplYh0A7hN3BvZd10Ts2Xhyphenhyphen7uDltog9BM9JOGTzSb2ojqPmegfeRiSCmO3GSwJodFT0u7J_8vO4GjeKs0PhEVk_dR9zuPcCTqks8uZr3kbE0y6V95dzva_f80jW5Y5-Q6YQGCM/s811/119154596_714229239165380_7680558269227635607_n.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="454" data-original-width="811" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc5dSI_ZOplYh0A7hN3BvZd10Ts2Xhyphenhyphen7uDltog9BM9JOGTzSb2ojqPmegfeRiSCmO3GSwJodFT0u7J_8vO4GjeKs0PhEVk_dR9zuPcCTqks8uZr3kbE0y6V95dzva_f80jW5Y5-Q6YQGCM/w400-h224/119154596_714229239165380_7680558269227635607_n.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>FOB received these words of gratitude from Salai Isaac Khen, Chairperson of RRCCI Central Committee, <i>“It is very heartening when we received a gift from you that allows us to help the IDPs, who need and deserve our love and help. We cannot tell you how much we appreciate your donation for this lifesaving work. It is only with financial contributions from generous donors like you that we can commit to assisting the IDPs by providing services mentioned above. We especially need funds this month for IDPs camp in Hmawbi, Yangon Division since we have to buy rice for them. It was touching and joyful to see the smiles on the faces of those who were helped by your donation. Your donation has helped us provide the needs for our people who are suffering. Your support has strengthened us to press forward.”</i></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Lightning for Learning: Running the Race of Life to Love!</h3><p>The Team completed five virtual 5K races and a half-marathon this summer, with prayer and supplication for the students, their teachers, all the orphan mothers, and for all our 70-plus sponsor families across the USA. </p><p>We want to report to you that university students from Kwe Lwe and Phu Saw Bu orphanages continue to study diligently with online courses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Approximately 10 returning students are engaged in various studies, including business, seminary, teaching credentialing, geography, nurse aide schooling and more. All of them participate in some form of service to their community. Their dedication, diligence and service are so heartwarming and inspirational. We thank The Lord for their well-being and role modeling to their little brothers and sisters. A huge thank you also goes to Naw Magnolia for her labor of love! </p><p>Thank you for giving the gift of education to these amazing students! Please pray for the eventual need for widespread computer technology for their education. </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqLhNNZCg0vHA8mQBI2-SWzVYrmYKysRkIxoLZlAWmOIucAIVPY1pYdR1Ot-K4yl8N0mCGBqY5TcUrv6ULQ5ad73-CpzoHFZn-OUEkcouxjSpgnz8eOYdp_TFQsOkHC7fcUsKtjo6swn-J/s746/119564988_2701260796806178_4584379076930598113_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="746" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqLhNNZCg0vHA8mQBI2-SWzVYrmYKysRkIxoLZlAWmOIucAIVPY1pYdR1Ot-K4yl8N0mCGBqY5TcUrv6ULQ5ad73-CpzoHFZn-OUEkcouxjSpgnz8eOYdp_TFQsOkHC7fcUsKtjo6swn-J/w400-h303/119564988_2701260796806178_4584379076930598113_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfqkO830xPpKXhOT5JE_pbqAr2GPVuiY7yaUH8ZJTp2qq4Dp3Tooxr8LXWMku1fBsYWaxTrUKE2BLZhfAYb04fctwyjGS2Ph-x3UIRsku4x6OP6OFqSg8OG13tPOII_7jFFaZkK-CO0baF/s750/119527904_318888946044016_5633874558924435763_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="750" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfqkO830xPpKXhOT5JE_pbqAr2GPVuiY7yaUH8ZJTp2qq4Dp3Tooxr8LXWMku1fBsYWaxTrUKE2BLZhfAYb04fctwyjGS2Ph-x3UIRsku4x6OP6OFqSg8OG13tPOII_7jFFaZkK-CO0baF/w400-h299/119527904_318888946044016_5633874558924435763_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Daily Devotionals: Karen Stories for God’s Glory</h3><p>FOB, in partnership with Karen Baptist Churches in the USA, is supporting efforts to publish daily devotionals that capture Karen journeys and resiliencies, and most of all, their faith in God, for the purpose of witnessing Christ’s love. The devotionals will be in Karen and English languages. Please pray for this project and support this effort. Here is a story from the Karen devotionals.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>THE NEW CANAAN</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>"Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given." John 1:16 NIV</i></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;">Sometimes, we lack understanding even after God has already answered our prayer. When we were in the refugee camp, we prayed, “Father, have you abandoned us in this foreign land? As you heard the cries of the Israelites in Egypt, please hear our pleading, take us out of this camp and send us back to our own country.” God listened to our prayers and sent us to a developed country, where milk and honey flows. This is the New Canaan God prepared for our Karen people. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;">One day, a mother called me, “Teacher, my daughter heard from the doctor that her father has cancer and has only a few days to live. She said that, “If this God doesn’t listen to my prayer and my father dies, I can no longer worship Him.” This mother asked me to encourage her children. I visited the family and prayed with them.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;">A week after the father was buried, the mother invited us for a prayer service in her house. She spoke, “I thank God for sending me to the New Canaan. When I was in Burma, the Burmese soldiers murdered my father and I never got a chance to see his grave. Here, we could bury my husband with dignity upon his death. When I was in the refugee camp, we only had rice and pickled fish. We had to feed our children clear rice soup, and we couldn't even afford to buy salt to flavor it. Here, we get to have milk and honey abundantly. When we were in our country, we had to work in the field under the hot sun and in the pouring rain just to get a few morsels of food. Harvest time arrived, but the enemy came and burned them all. Here, I work in a meat processing plant. I am tired, but comparing my life then with what it is now is like experiencing the difference between night and day. That is why I told my kids, there is no way we can abandon God. The greatest worry for me is that I might forget His grace, lest He puts me back where I was.” This mother’s testimony encouraged all who heard her and I believe it will inspire you too. </span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">Needs List -- Please pray for these needs and give as you can!</h3><div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Christmas gift ($50/gift)</li><li>Daily Devotionals ($30/day)</li><li>Eye glasses ($40/pair)</li><li>Scholarships ($500/student) for KBTS Liberal Arts students, BARS Liberal Arts students, </li><li> Pwo Karen Seminary students, Nyaungleben Bible School students.</li><li>MIT Building for a growing body of students</li><li>Women Microcredit Self Help groups ($300/group)</li></ul></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>KKBBSC</b></div><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Food for students</li><li>Support for teachers ($75/mo./teacher)</li><li>Sponsor evangelistic teams ($100-$500/team)</li><li>Medical supplies</li><li>Scholarship for two DMin students, KKBBSC faculty members (any amount)</li></ul><p></p><p><b>KBC Hospital</b></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Patient monitor ($1,000)</li><li>Patient monitor & defibrillator ($10,000)</li><li>Emergency trolley + instruments ($1,000)</li><li>Portable pulse oximeter ($1,000)</li><li>FAST/V. Scan portable ultrasound ($10,000)</li><li>Ventilator ($10,000)</li></ul><p></p><p><b>KBC Orphanage Shelters</b> </p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Support for orphans ($360/child/yr.)</li></ul><p></p><div><div>Please pray for FOB Annual Meeting on October 24, 2020. Most FOB board members will attend via Zoom.</div><div><br /></div></div><div><div>Your support of full amount or any portion would be a blessing. For more information, please visit us at http://friendsofburma.org. Please write a check payable to Friends of Burma. Please consider including FOB in your will.</div><div>FOB, tax ID 20-5572384, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and all donations are tax-deductible.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>This newsletter is prepared by Adam Maung and Tansy Kadoe.</div><p><strong>Friends of Burma, Inc.</strong> <em>548 Home Ave. Ft. Wayne, IN 46807</em><br /><em>Tel. 260-745-3658, Email: president@friendsofburma.org<br />Website: <a href="http://friendsofburma.org/">http://friendsofburma.org</a>, Blog: <a href="http://blog.friendsofburma.org/">http://blog.friendsofburma.org</a></em><br /><em>E-Newsletters: <a href="http://news.friendsofburma.org/">http://news.friendsofburma.org</a></em></p>Lwin Moehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07744752229286096883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3863369074070826888.post-6120250839166950482020-04-30T22:03:00.000-04:002020-05-02T08:49:34.867-04:00Friends of Burma, Inc. Newsletter Spring 2020We thank the Lord for His faithfulness, mercy and unending love. "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness" (Lamentations 3:22-23). In this time of pandemic and uncertainty, we pray for those who are sick to receive healing and the safety of all healthcare and other front line workers. We ask for God’s protection, trusting His promises in the Bible. In this Spring Newsletter, we want to share the great things that the Lord has done through FOB and many supporters of FOB for the people of Burma.<br />
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We rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn because we are in the family of Christ. We are sad to report the passing of our dear friend and former FOB board member, Rev. Dr. David Horton.<br />
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David E. Horton of Phoenix, AZ died April 7. Born December 10, 1931 in Fort Wayne to Thomas and Bernice Horton. Dave graduated from Northside HS in 1949 and served in the Air Force during 1952-56. In 1957, married Doris Tindall of Trenton, NJ. Ordained as an American Baptist minister and served churches and communities in Cardiff, NJ; Saginaw, Grass Lake, and Jackson, MI; Pueblo, CO; Fort Wayne, IN; and Green Valley and Phoenix, AZ. Remembered as warm, kind, caring, dedicated, and energetic. He was close to the Amish and Burmese communities in Indiana. After retiring, lived in Fort Wayne, and Green Valley, AZ until Doris’s death in 2008. Married in 2009 to Mary Frances Ward, and lived in Green Valley until moving to Phoenix in 2013. Predeceased by parents, sister Carolyn, and first wife. Survived by wife Mary Frances of Phoenix, daughter Bethany Klingensmith of Colorado Springs, and son Mark Horton of Bethesda, MD, grandchildren Thomas, Peter, and Anna Horton, sister Shirley of Fort Wayne, and his brother Steve of Naples, FL. Deeply loved and will be dearly missed.<br />
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We thank you all for your prayers, generous gifts and support for the people of Burma through FOB. We could not do it without you.<br />
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<b>Christmas gifts 2019 </b><br />
$50 was given by each donor to be used as Christmas gift in Burma. FOB sent the gifts to some local leaders and the gifts were to be given to those who are in need. We also obtained $75 gifts which were given to the Kawthulei Karen Baptist Bible School and College students who went to different villages in Thai-Burma border area.<br />
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<b><u>Your gift was a blessing to a young widow and her family</u></b><br />
From Chris, a friend of FOB in Burma, who received $50 gift from us to give it to someone in need. Chris wrote in his own words (we didn't edit):<br />
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“May His Joy and Perfection upon you. This year Christmas is wonderful for me as I got the phone call from Saw Sweetie who arranging your Santa Claus' gifts to the less opportunity people. I'm also pleased to cooperate with you in this Christmas season.<br />
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The $50, I got from Saw Sweetie has changed to Myanmar Kyats then with a short pray I started to think who needs the gift. Around us, a lot of people are in need, but finally, I chose a young widow with her two sons called them to a warm-clothing shop and let them to have any things they need and want. After we buy warm clothes I set prayer together for praising God and the giver (Mr/s Santa Claus). I am very happy to see their faces are shining and smiling together with the gifts in their hands. I told them about this is the gift from Santa Claus, I even don't know their name. Instead of hearing their words of thanks to you, only I can hear on your behalf. Thank you Santa Clause for the Christmas Gifts. May the Lord shower His blessings upon you always. Amen.”<br />
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<b><u>Your gift was a blessing to a local missionary in the rural area</u></b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">Thramu Naw Eh Htoo</span></td></tr>
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Christina wrote: “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Yesterday, we received FOB love gift for our Bible School from Thra Moolar Gay. I also gave 75000 kyats to Thramu Naw Eh Htoo for Christmas present as you advised me. She served at Pa Daunk Gone mission field work since 2013. Thramu Naw Eh Htoo is a faithful servant. Even though, she faced a lot of things, she never gives up. That point, I chose her to give Christmas present in this year. May the Lord continue bless FOB and you for evermore.”<br />
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<b><u>Your gift has helped an elderly couple who are in poor health</u></b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daw Than Yee presenting gifts to Mr. Moses</td></tr>
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The Agape Child Care Center committee member said “Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!! Greetings from the committee members of the Agape Orphanage Project and the orphans. We're very happy to inform you that we've received Kyats 75,000 that you sent to help anyone who's in need of help. We gave Kyats 50,000 to an old couple named Mr. and Mrs. Moses who are over 80 and are members of the Loikaw Church. They live on a small pension and are in poor health. We also bought them Ovaltine, Milo, canned milk, sugar, some biscuits and snacks with the rest of the money. They were very happy when we gave them the presents and told them they were from you. They thank you and send you their blessings. I'm sending you some photos of Daw Than Yee, our Project treasurer, presenting your gifts to Mr. Moses. We hope you'll be glad to see them.”<br />
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<b><u>Your gift was a blessing to a grandmother who is raising her grandchildren</u></b><br />
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Saw Sweetie said: <i>We just back from giving the Christmas gift of FOB to Su Pone Chit. Five of us, me and my 4 kids, with bicycles, went to her house. When we were there we saw her sitting in front of her house, her elder sister was cooking and her grandmother was washing. Unlike former years she did not cry and show no feeling of embarrassing.</i><br />
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<i>When I asked my kids “who wants to share their snacks?” all of them went to their room and put some packets of snacks to the plastic bags. I was so happy that the kids have learned about sharing. I did many times of distributing the gift of FOB in front of them.</i><br />
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<i>We gave some foods, drinks, 50000 kyats and together with the present from my kids. The grandmother was nearly cried. She may think we are not coming this year.</i><br />
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<i>Her smile makes me happy but not so long. Many thoughts come into my mind. Her future without Mom and irresponsible Dad, unhealthy Grandma and under age sister is quite challenging.</i><br />
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<i>Anyhow I thank FOB very much for making needy people happy in Christmas time with this Christmas gift program. We are not only wishing Merry Christmas and Happy New year by words to her but with presents from FOB. I am 100% sure; this moment is a big happy moment for all of the family. Thank you FOB. You are making poor people happy time by time.</i><br />
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<b><u>Your gift was a blessing to two Theological students who are in need of financial support</u></b><br />
Nang from Myanmar Baptist Convention said, “Thank you so much for scholarship fund to support a student in a financially difficult situation. I got $ 100= 150000MMK, I gave it to two Theological students. I gave them each 75000 MMK (Myanmar Kyats). I am sure both of them are needy. They both lost their father and lived in the difficult place. Thank you for supporting them. Both of them are needy one day got fund they are very happy and very thankful to you and Friends of Myanmar. They wrote to you thank you letter in Myanmar.”<br />
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<u><b>Your gift was a blessing to a pastor who is suffering from stroke</b></u><br />
Saw Frits wrote: “Dear FOB, I took responsibility of $50 for the Christmas gifts requested by Diana. Before I gave the gift, I searched carefully for the person who needed it the most. On the 22nd of December 2019, when I went to Pyaw Bwe Gone Village Church, I found out that their pastor is ill due to the stroke he received a year ago. His name is Rev. Thara Joe, he is 78 years old, he cannot walk and talk but he’s attending the church every week in every devotion. He greets everyone who comes to the church “God Bless You”. He’s been serving the church for more than 25 years. The medical expenses of the pastor are about 100,000 kyats per month. The church members take care of his medical expenses but since they all are villagers and farmers, they do not earn much. Therefore, the $50 of our Christmas gift meant a lot to him and to the church. The attached photo is the pastor at his house after the Sunday noon service.”<br />
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<u><b>Your gift has supported many seminary students to share the Joy of Christmas with many villages in the border area</b></u><br />
Friends of Burma, Inc. sponsored fourteen teams from Kawthulei Karen Baptist Bible School and College who went out to villages along the border at $75 each. Below is a report from Rev. Mary Wood.<br />
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Rev. Mary Wood said, “The amount of care and compassion that they provided to 13 villages amazes me beyond belief. During their travels, they managed to travel by truck, foot, boat and tractor. What 75 dollars can do in one month for a group of traveling students to Karen State in Myanmar only God can fathom.”<br />
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The First group reported traveling to brigade seven visiting 13 villages. They did not meet any Christians. All villagers were Buddhist and Animists. Some village leaders allowed the group to share the good news of Jesus Christ but some did not allow. The villagers were poor and unable to afford to send their children to study at school. Another village consisted mostly of grandmothers and grandfathers. Their children did not care for them. Out of great pity the students cared for the elderly ones in their loneliness. The students took pity on the children and villagers as they provided dramas, music, singing and love. The students are pictured here traveling in various destinations during mission campaign.<br />
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If you ever wondered how you can do ministry from your life in USA, consider giving 75 dollars to a mission campaign group this Christmas during sweet December. Your money will send students to do the work you want to do but you will not ever be able to do for yourself. The students will do, in their capacity, the work of God in your place. Their love is packed full of determination and commitment to do the will of God with a Smile and a greeting. These students go into places in Burma where you may be able to go, but the students will go often at great risks to themselves and their health, and they go with deep ability to love others as Jesus commanded us to do as Christians.<br />
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<b>Partnership</b>. FOB has partnered with several groups whose objectives are in line with FOB’s mission statement. One person is raising money for the Leprosy Hospital in Moulmein. Another has various projects with the churches and Bible school in Karen State. Still another has projects in Chin State. By partnering with FOB their donors can get tax deduction for their donation. Also FOB has the means to get money to the projects they want to support.<br />
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<u><b>Lightning for Learning</b></u><br />
Cynthia Wu and her husband have a program, called <b>Lightning for Learning</b>, to sponsor orphans from Child Care Centers to go to college or other advanced training. She went to Myanmar, ran in the half marathon and raised over $30,000 from her sponsors. The race money will be used for Matthew 25 Love Clinic. Her program has motivated the students to really work hard so they can go on for further education. Before her program, they were discouraged from achieving well because there was no way they could go on to college. Now they are really applying themselves and many more are passing the final matriculation test. Thank you Cindy and family!<br />
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<b><u>Self Help Groups</u></b><br />
Years ago Naw Paw Gaw was trained in the Philippines to start, train, and oversee Microcredit or Self help groups. Since she is employed by ZOE, a Karen organization to help women, she worked with the Karens. She and ZOE have agreed to lead a three day conference to train women from all ethnic groups on how to form, train and nurture Microcredit or Self help groups. The plans were to invite sixty women, pay their transportation costs, feed them for three days at a conference led by Naw Paw Gaw and women from groups she had formed over the years. Unfortunately that conference has had to be postponed due to the corona virus. We hope a good number of the participants would form groups. After their groups have saved their targeted amount of money, we hope to give them a grant. The grant is not repaid but is recycled to new groups. We are very excited that ZOE has allowed Naw Paw Gaw to lead such a conference and we think many groups will benefit from it.<br />
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For years FOB has helped Naw Paw Gaw with her Microcredit Groups or Self Help Groups. She organizes twelve to sixteen women into groups and they learn about business and set a goal for each person saving money. When they reach their goal, they get a grant from Friends of Burma and one of the group gets the money to start a business such as pig or chicken raising, sewing, small retail shop, beauty shop, ethnic clothing. Etc. When they pay back, another person gets to borrow the money. They charge themselves 5% interest a month which is much better than the 10 to 15% the money lenders charge. Below see how Naw Paw Gaw is leading Self help group, helping individual becomes more financially independent across Burma.<br />
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<b><u>1.Mara Chin Women Group</u></b> (by Naw Paw Gaw)<br />
“This women group is living in Chin state. The purpose of this group is to support women who have student of children in their family. They create way to receive more income for education support for the students. For women they only have tradition weaving and agriculture. So woman pastor Rev. Mai Ki has a plan for women extra income by plantation of Yam Plantation. It has regular market demand and they can grow in local land and they can receive the seed of Yam plants from the local people. <br />
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Rev.Mai Ki has started from Mrs.Ngechai who has 5 daughters and one son. Their family owns few lands for traditional farming and it could not afford well for children education. So we provide 300000 kyats from FOB fund to start the Yam plantation. For one container of seed (16 Kilo) she has to pay 60000 kyats and she can buy 5 containers. She begins her plantation on June and harvest time is in March. From 5 containers she gets 1000 plants and from 1000 plants she will receive 130 Kilogram within 3 years. Every year this lady has to pass one container of seed to another woman until 5 containers but the rest products of yam are belong to Ngechai.The price of yam is 10000 KS for .65 Kilo and for 3 years she will gain 20,00000Ks for 130 kilo. This income is extra income for them apart from their regular farming products. Now Mrs. Ngechai has already passed one container of seeds to another member and she has already started for second year. She is happy and willing to do it because this plantation is in her local place which can work with her family members and she has many experiences and skillful in this work.<br />
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The leader Rev.Mai Ki said that in future there will be a new factory of Yam Noodle which will be set up in Mandalay. So it will be a new market demand for them.”<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJiDVv185_tT0Uq-5eVSanf5wtlG0EfxjEyOtmzLC_5H14PvOUVryMN5M9mPs7edObuLD3MQAbjrUQ3blfYlYfELI2tU3ps6tSxYKyHufoZArwdvno25AwoF9vnbW1HZ1Fkdo1oLjFerLY/s1600/image13.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="359" data-original-width="480" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJiDVv185_tT0Uq-5eVSanf5wtlG0EfxjEyOtmzLC_5H14PvOUVryMN5M9mPs7edObuLD3MQAbjrUQ3blfYlYfELI2tU3ps6tSxYKyHufoZArwdvno25AwoF9vnbW1HZ1Fkdo1oLjFerLY/s320/image13.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mrs. Ngechai & her Yam harvest </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mrs. Ngechai & Family</td></tr>
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<u><b>2. Pwo Karen Women Department</b></u><br />
After this women group receive the fund, they provide sewing training on mosquito net at headquarter level then sell them to their members who are living around in rural areas. When they gain the profits, they invest in another production like making washing soup liquid, harbor medicine lotion. They collect all projects and add with the capital and provide loan to women church groups. They have to pay back capital and interest once in a year. After that they provide loan to another women church group. From all the benefits, they take 200000 kyats to support 2 young girls to attend the vocational training. Now they still have 800000 kyats for their revolving fund. As they are large organization, they need more to invest for more profits. Thus on this coming March we will provide them second time grant 200000 Kyats so that they can invest more to gain more profits.<br />
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<b><u>3. Hope Center</u></b><br />
The women group is running for education support to the needy students. This year they can support 8 students in different classes and location. They try to get more technical skills in new materials. This year they take granted from some class which rent their room for bag sewing training which take a week. They get chance to learn without charges. So the 3 workers of Hope center gain new technical skill for each differently from that training. Now they are sewing things which they have learned from the trainers. Now they can make income for these sewing products. The capital for raw material is funded by FOB. Moreover in summer holidays the students from center help them in the activities of income generation.<br />
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<b><u>A friend to those who need friend that cares</u> </b>(by Tansy)<br />
All that Thrah Ler Lah wanted was to show Christ’s love to those suffering from leprosy. He had been working hard to raise funds and collect surgical instruments for the leprosy ministries in Burma. With excitement, he looked forward to visiting Burma. Then came the Coronavirus outbreak! Just like most of us, he felt confused and discouraged, but not for long. He sought God’s guidance earnestly. It was clear to him God still wanted him to go. He had to cancel some flights and make new travel arrangements. Things went smoothly, which was encouraging because God Is Faithful. So, Ler Lah spent almost a month in Burma, from February 5 to March 3. His mission was simply, “Show God’s Love!” On this trip, Ler Lah visited multiple areas where people suffering from leprosy live as separate communities.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ler Lah with a patient</td></tr>
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Many of you also contributed to the dining hall for multipurpose use: Thank you all very much for sharing!<br />
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<b>Wish List</b><br />
<ol>
<li>Donations to Matthew 25 Love and KBC Hospital for Covid-19 prevention practices and equipment.</li>
<li>$17 each for prescription glasses for students at various Seminaries and Bible Schools.</li>
<li>$300 for a microcredit or Self Help group. </li>
<li>Scholarships for KBTS Liberal Arts students $500. </li>
<li>Scholarship for Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies students $500. </li>
<li>Scholarships for Seminary students at Nyaungleben and Pwo Karen Seminaries $500 each.</li>
<li>$360 for an under-served child at Htee Mu Htaw Ber, Pu Thu Thu Pu Shay, and Ywa Dah Eh child care centers. (We welcome lesser amounts and will combine them to get the $300 or $500 needed.)</li>
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<b>990 Form for Federal Government</b>. Saw Htaw Plaw Htoo, Michelle Kessler, and Neil have been working hard on the 50 page form required of all 501(C)(3) organizations.<br />
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This newsletter was compiled by Naw May P. Cartee. Please notify us if you wish to be on the emailing list and feel free to pass along the printed copy or email version of this newsletter. Please visit our website to view all other information that could not be included in this newsletter. Thank you for reading and May the Peace of Christ be with you.Lwin Moehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07744752229286096883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3863369074070826888.post-88711919043570879852020-01-19T10:24:00.000-05:002020-01-19T10:24:43.828-05:00Friends of Burma Annual Report 2019<style type="text/css">
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<b>Overview.</b> Looking back over the last year I am pleased with everything we accomplished. While we are a small organization, we have a very dedicated board which works hard and gives generously. We are supported by a core of donors who faithfully support the work in Burma, many of them for many years. Last year $496,486 was entrusted to us which we passed on to our programs in Burma (Myanmar). Our three largest programs are 1. Orphan support, 2. Sowards Memorial Scholarships and 3. Medical support. About $200,000 of that income was from partner organizations which we passed on to their programs which ranged from Leprosy Hospital, Bible Schools, Deaf School, medical care in the Chin state and graduates of Child Care Centers. So between our programs and their programs, we had a profound effect on the lives of a good number of persons in Burma.<br />
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We support 119 children in Child Care Centers with $43,057. Childcare is a more accurate term since many are not orphans, but desperately poor children in need.<br />
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The Sowards Scholarships Program was given out by Myanmar Baptist Convention, a project of Neil & Diana Sowards—no general funds from our donors were used for this program. The leadership committee awarded 401 scholarships to children of ministers and Christian workers and 63 to financially needy students for a total of 464 recipients.<br />
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Medical support goes to the KBC Hospital in Insein and the Matthew 25 Love Hospital in Pathein. Also some support goes to free clinics.<br />
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FOB supplies $20,000 to Friends of Myanmar Governing Board which they use for programs that they feel are important. It is forbidden to use “Burma” in Myanmar.</div>
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<b>Diana’s Commitment.</b> Diana wants to share this, “At the last board meeting in July, I made a commitment to reach out to people more assertively than I had in the past to tell them about FOB and ask them to donate. To my surprise, some of them did! If you tell about our work, this will be interesting to people. We are also trying to put more on our Facebook, Neil-Diana Sowards. People have been reading this and donating. So we want to ask you, our donors and mailing list recipients, to do likewise this year. Reach out to your friends and inform them about why you think FOB is an excellent charity to support. Many people want to be part of something big and there is nothing bigger or more important than building the Kingdom of God. We thank you in advance.” You might want to say on your social media site that you find your giving to FOB a very rewarding experience and list our website.<br />
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<b>Microcredit Program</b> or Self Help Women Group. FOB gives grants to Naw Paw Gaw of Women Empowerment Program. She sent us reports on eleven groups she organized this year. One group, called Blessed Women Group was made up of eleven members who had survived being sex trafficked and two that has suffered sexual abuse. They made sewing products while receiving health care and counseling. Their leader, a woman minister, also encouraged spiritual and character development.</div>
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<b>Alternative Christmas Giving.</b> This year more people felt that giving $50 to a needy person in Burma or $75 to a team of students from Kawthulei Karen Baptist Bible School and College (KKBBSC) on the border was a good way to celebrate Christmas. Twenty three donations were given to the poor and fourteen to the student teams that made field trips to villages with the Christmas story. Below is a report on a $50 donation.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFTEuB_WeLT7SrHyBy3WHK392oJXEy67FVo6sQ72et9uu7LhKCITpMSNi4bwz7H2UdFS-RKWHGsQUwAPiucf0M4g0Ndomh-ygp9u8KTtPGdHdu_JZS033D7NooqVXfDW64wIDj_TqweJQc/s1600/old_lady_christmas_donation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1530" data-original-width="1239" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFTEuB_WeLT7SrHyBy3WHK392oJXEy67FVo6sQ72et9uu7LhKCITpMSNi4bwz7H2UdFS-RKWHGsQUwAPiucf0M4g0Ndomh-ygp9u8KTtPGdHdu_JZS033D7NooqVXfDW64wIDj_TqweJQc/s400/old_lady_christmas_donation.jpg" width="323" /></a></div>
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Last year she became weaker and weaker and at last she couldn’t eat at all. Her son took her to a clinic. After an injection slowly and slowly she can eat little by little. But because of that injection she can not walk well now. She has to use stick to walk. But she thank the doctor for an injection which saved her life. Now she regain her appetite.</div>
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She received 26000 kyat from a donor. I told her that not to give it to her children but to buy what she wants to eat. She smile and say “yes” and blessed the donor.<br />
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Sincerely Russ<br />
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The Alternative Christmas Giving Reports from Burma and the border are available on our website friendsofburma.org <br />
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Yangon Half Marathon. One of FOB’s board members, Cynthia Wu, ran in the half marathon and raised $28,000 for an upgrade in the building at Matthew 25 Love Hospital at Pathein and her program, Lightning for Learning, that is helping orphans who qualified for college to get their education.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Mission Evangelistic Team with their creative stage in a village.</td></tr>
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<b>From:</b> Mary Wood <br />
<b>Subject: Report #1</b> team from Mission Campaign to Karen State <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZw5_reXXUhTGhqhid92oqrh6jWrd_fyns35I7ljf1Q5i5BPLTFoPmoobjlNmShpU33cTbpiQhN_A6wxE8SK9du9qZktgYetFxCgdW1m_beLCliMoU9Hr6rq4xFk9BAhwMM2qpdbZ45m8/s1600/image3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1073" data-original-width="1430" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZw5_reXXUhTGhqhid92oqrh6jWrd_fyns35I7ljf1Q5i5BPLTFoPmoobjlNmShpU33cTbpiQhN_A6wxE8SK9du9qZktgYetFxCgdW1m_beLCliMoU9Hr6rq4xFk9BAhwMM2qpdbZ45m8/s400/image3.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Students trimming nails and toe nails.</td></tr>
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I want to begin this report by saying that as students of KKBBSC provided this first report of mission campaign to me all I did was cry. Their mission campaign during the month of December is humbling to me. The amount of care and compassion that they provided to 13 villages amazes me beyond belief. During their travels, they managed to travel by truck, foot, boat and tractor. What 75 dollars can do in one month for a group of traveling students to Karen State in Myanmar only God can fathom. <br />
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The First group reported traveling to Brigade Seven Area visiting 13 villages. They did not meet any Christians. All villagers were Buddhist and Animists. Some village leaders allowed the group to share the good news of Jesus Christ but some did not allow. The villagers were poor and unable to afford to send their children to study at school. Another village consisted mostly of grandmothers and grandfathers. Their children did not care for them. Out of great pity the students cared for the elderly ones in their loneliness.<br />
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The students took pity on the children and villagers as they provided dramas, music, singing and love. <br />
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If you ever wondered how you can do ministry from your life in USA, consider giving 75 dollars to a mission campaign group this Christmas during sweet December. Your money will send students to do the work you want to do but you will not ever be able to do for yourself. The students will do, in their capacity, the work of God in your place. Their love is packed full of determination and commitment to do the will of God with a Smile and a greeting. These students go into places in Burma where you may be able to go, but the students will go often at great risks to themselves and their health, and they go with deep ability to love others as Jesus commanded us to do as Christians. <br />
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Tablut (thank you) for your constant faith in the Karen people. Thank you for your generous giving. Thank you for supporting ministry inside the jungle in very remote places that still waits to receive the love of God in Jesus Christ. <br />
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Thank you for your giving to the Mission Campaign of KKBBSC. <br />
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With Love and Admiration from KKBBSC, <br />
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Thramu Doh Mary Wood. She is a person that uses her own money to go to KKBBSC and teach and help in various ways.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An interested audience at a village</td></tr>
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<b><br />The Kawthoolei Karen Baptist Bible School and College (KKBBSC)</b> is located in Zone C of Mae La Refugee Camp which has 40,000 persons. It is on the Thai side of the border with Burma. The Bible School students receive a bachelor of theology degree upon completion of their matriculation. There are two tracks in the school; one in English language, another in Karen. There are approximately 480 students currently enrolled. They come from other refugee camps along the border, areas within the Karen State of Burma, or inside Thailand. Not all students are Karen. Some students are Karenni, or Thai. <br />
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In 2008 a relocation process began in which 12,000 people relocated to a third country, one of which was the United States. Rev. Mary Wood, an American minister from Toledo, Ohio, travels back and forth to teach at the Bible school since 2004. She is now enrolled in the doctoral program at Central Baptist Theological Seminary, Shawnee Kansas, with two other teachers from KKBBSC. Their cohort totals 10 students. Five are from Burma and five are from the United States. They are hoping to use their Doctorate degrees to teach students Master of Divinity students, a new degree program offered through KKBBSC.
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three typical students from KKBBSC</td></tr>
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The school is currently receiving many students who are transferring from other schools in the Bible school due to camp rations have been reduced. Many other students have no means to pay tuition fees. Still others come from other refugee camps. There is a large need for scholarships. We have one young woman who would be enabled to be a student at KKBBSC for 300 dollars per year which covers matriculation fees. It needs to be a five year commitment. What a blessing to help those who are learning to be Christian church leaders in remote places. Please consider an ongoing commitment to sponsor a student from the Bible school. Your gift will be one that gives back to others a hundredfold. <br />
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<b>Eyeglasses.</b> One of our most appreciated small programs is our prescription eye glasses for Seminary and Bible School students. After we give a grant to a school, an optometrist comes to the school and tests the students and finds out what strength of eye glasses they need. He then has the glasses made up in Yangon and returns to adjust the glasses for each student. As one student said, “I am so thankful because I can now read as long as I want without my eyes watering and hurting.”</div>
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<b>Wish List.</b></div>
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<ul>
<li>Provide a medicated mosquito net which is the best prevention against malaria $7.</li>
<li>Eyeglasses for Seminary and Bible School students. Prescription eyeglass $17.</li>
<li>Sponsor a self help or microcredit group $300.</li>
<li>Supporting an orphan $360.</li>
<li>Support a free clinic for a month $1,200.</li>
<li>Support a refugee student at KKBBS school (5 year commitment) $300 per year.</li>
<li>The Karen Baptist Theological Institute wants to expand their music program to offer a BCM (Bachelor of Christian Music). They have three graduates from their current music program who want additional education. The cost is $5,000 per year for education in the Philippines.</li>
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<b>Why I support Friends of Burma. </b></div>
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I support Friends of Burma because it puts dollars where needs are great. Friends of Burma supports Christian education, health care, orphanages, and women's programs, and missions work in Burma - all programs that I believe are important for spreading the Gospel of Christ in a Buddhist country. Nearly all funds given go to the actual programs, with only a small overhead, unlike most other non-profit organizations. FOB supports many programs that benefit a large number of people in Burma, both Christians and non-Christians, and this is important in an impoverished country that is hungry not only for assistance but also for the message of Christ. Phil Schock. <br />
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Phil Schock, son of Harold and Estelle Schock, missionaries to Burma and later Hong Kong. Phil was a child in Burma and speaks some Burmese. He has served on the board of FOB for over fifteen years. He has visited Burma four times as an adult. He recently married Samara Sanchez who is the daughter of missionaries to the Congo and now Rwanda. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The modern equivalence of washing their feet.</td></tr>
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We hope you might want to consider FOB in your will so that the work you have been supporting will continue. Neil and Diana’s children know that the bulk of their estate will go to Friends of Burma so it can continue their work with the Burmese.</div>
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All the work of FOB is done by volunteers in the U. S. FOB has one paid staff member in Myanmar. Less than 2% of our income goes for overhead—most of which is for our one staff member in Myanmar and printing and distribution of our 3 annual newsletters. <br />
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U. S. office is at the Sowards’ residence at 548 Home Ave., Fort Wayne, IN 46807, E-mail: <a href="mailto:neildianasowards@juno.com">neildianasowards@juno.com</a> 260 745-3658, Website: friendsofburma.org All donations are tax deductable because Friends of Burma, Inc. is a 501(C)(3) organization. </div>
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</style>Lwin Moehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07744752229286096883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3863369074070826888.post-55250680079267517182019-09-28T23:13:00.000-04:002019-09-28T23:17:18.271-04:00Friends of Burma, Inc. Newsletter Fall 2019<br />
<h2>
Annual Board Meeting (2019)</h2>
Friends of Burma annual board meeting was held on July 20, 2019 at Fort Wayne, Indiana. Neil and Diana Sowards (Fort Wayne, IN), Anna Barbara Maung (Fort Wayne, IN), John Peterson (DeKalb, IL), May Pearl Cartee (Ann Arbor, MI), Adam and Tansy Maung (Phoenix, AZ), Phil Schock (Camas, WA), Sung Cer (Battle Creek, MI), Htaw Htoo (Indianapolis, IN) and John Gravley (Kansas) attended the meeting. Lwin Moe (Toronto, Canada) and Show Ei Ei Tun (Maryland, now based in Rangoon, Burma) also attended remotely via Facebook Messenger.<br />
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Htoo Khu (KBC Clinic, Myanmar), Mary Wood, Nay Tar Mu, Kaw Khu (Kawthoolei) also participated in the meeting as special guests. Nay Tar Mu and Kaw Khu were from Kawthoolei at the Thai-Burma border, and now studying at the Central Baptist Seminary in Kansas. The students gave a presentation and were presented with scholarship awards for their studies at Central Baptist Seminary. Thank you all volunteer board members who drove and flew from different states, giving your time for FOB mission.<br />
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<h2>
Dr. Chit Maung Fitness Center (DCMFC)</h2>
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DCMFC was founded in August, 2009 to provide low-cost and accessible fitness service to the community. It was supported by family members of the late Dr.Chit Maung and FOB, under the organization of Dr.Chit Maung learning center. The fitness center started with a small room behind the Dr. Chit Maung library with a few machines, but now expanded to a separate building with a large room, a special space for female clients to stretch, and more equipment.<br />
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It has offered various kinds of services to individuals from the community, who come to use the facility for health purposes as well as strengthening mind and body. About 40 regular members use the facility. It has multi-talented and dedicated Saw Thay Lar as an instructor.<br />
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The fitness center is now celebrating its 10th anniversary.<br />
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<h2>
Matthew 25 Love Clinic </h2>
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Matthew 25 Love clinic in Pathein has been giving excellent medical services to the local community in the Delta area, especially those who cannot afford private and expensive care. It is managed by Dr. Bwe Khu Paw. They offer various health care services including maternity (OB/GYN) care. </div>
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They are planning to upgrade the clinic to offer more health care services. They would like to provide X-RAY services to the patients. An X-Ray machine is wished for to provide more convenient services because patients are now being referred to other clinics and hospitals for taking an X-RAY examination. Please see Wish List at the end.</div>
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<h2>
Mosquito Nets Donation</h2>
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Burma being in the tropics, mosquitoes are known to cause a lot of diseases among the people in remote villages. FOB has been involved in mosquito nets distribution in far and remote villages. Sinzwe village is thankful to FOB donors for receiving 10 mosquito nets. They said mosquito nets helped them prevent malaria and Dengue Hemorrhagic fever, caused by mosquito bites.</div>
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<h2>
KKBBSC's Beneficial Shop</h2>
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On August, 2019 KKBBSC, Kawthoolei Karen Bible School in Mae La Refugee camp on the border, held an opening ceremony and dedication of the Beneficial shop. The shop is organized and managed by KKBBSC to meet the needs of the community. You can get Karen traditional clothes, books, stationary, food, drinks and over-the-counter medications for a reasonable price. Profits will go to the funds for supporting teachers and staff from Kawthoolei Karen Bible School. Thank you to all the donors for your contributions which allowed this to happen.</div>
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Photos below: The opening ceremony of the shop.</div>
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<h2>
New board members of FOB</h2>
Welcome to our new board members, <b>Cynthia Wu</b>, from Tacoma, WA and <b>James Thawnghmung</b> from Lowell, MA. Thank you also to outgoing board members, Judy Lundy and Michele Kessler for their years of service. All board members are volunteers.<br />
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Robert and Cynthia Wu are with <b>Lightning for Learning</b> for the Orphans, a group of concerned families, who have taken an interest in education, especially for orphans and residents of childcare centers. Cynthia is running a half marathon in Yangon in January, trying to raise $25,000 for the Matthew 25 Love Clinic’s new building.<br />
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Robert and Cynthia Wu with the orphans in Burma.<br />
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James Thawnghmung was originally from Chin State in Burma, and migrated to the US with his parents in the 80s.<br />
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James Thawnghmung</div>
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<h2>
Karen Baptist Convention (USA)</h2>
KBC-USA General Secretary Rev. Ler Htoo met with Neil Sowards in July (photo below). They discussed how FOB could relate to KBC-USA. There are 102 churches under KBC-USA.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghLysge0lPgJmCycGRnV7Tq0sX8jIjEt2TkLz3ChGGwrefAN5Bev-kWhKM0aZeDsXPKEla3vLCSuQcp69rvXwDvJnMr_MOKTj8XXSE7s52rTW4i4ylRG7kucAUv7YzV6YqrJkJF818-T2y/s1600/image2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="872" data-original-width="1430" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghLysge0lPgJmCycGRnV7Tq0sX8jIjEt2TkLz3ChGGwrefAN5Bev-kWhKM0aZeDsXPKEla3vLCSuQcp69rvXwDvJnMr_MOKTj8XXSE7s52rTW4i4ylRG7kucAUv7YzV6YqrJkJF818-T2y/s400/image2.jpeg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<h2>
Women Empowerment Program</h2>
Women Empowerment Program gives loans to women to start small businesses, and to invest more in their small business. There are eleven women’s groups participating in this program.<br />
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Report from Naw Paw Gaw:<br />
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<i>These groups are running small businesses such as making dresses and other fabric items, opening small grocery stores, buying dried chilli, pounding and powdering them and making packages for the market, buying cooking oil from whole-sale market and reselling it to neighbors, and providing suitable training for different women targeted groups. Activities of these self help groups come up with different ideas, and meet regularly to share their performance.</i><br />
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<i>Women Empowerment Program would like to express heartfelt thanks to FOB for giving them opportunities to gain trust building and strong networking among women groups</i>.<br />
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<h2>
Fundraising for Orphanages and Childcare Centers </h2>
FOB would like to thank Gawad Kalinga (GK) club from Liberty High School, Las Vegas for raising funds for orphanage programs in Myanmar.<br />
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Gawad Kalinga means "give care", a Philippine-based movement that aims to end poverty by first restoring the dignity of the poor. Currently 50 members from 9th to 12th grade participate in GK club to help out the community around the world. Zipporah Maung, high school teacher from Liberty HS and younger sister of two board members, is advisor in GK club.<br />
<h2>
Lightning for Learning</h2>
Friends of Burma has facilitated interested organizations to help the people of Burma. Lightning For Learning is a group of concerned families, who have taken an interest in education, especially for orphans and residents of childcare centers. The Wu family has been active in fund-raising for scholarships.<br />
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<h3>
From the Wu family:</h3>
<i>Thank you to our 60+ donors from the Lightning for Learning team! This 2019/2020 school year, 7 university students from the Kwe Lwe and Phu Saw Bu orphanages are sponsored, and many are graduating! They are so diligent, dedicated and devoted to serve and give back to their communities. </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>God bless them every day for their resilience and grit!</i><br />
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<i>Thank you to our sponsors for running this Race of Life to Love! </i><br />
<i>With love and gratitude, the Wu family.</i><br />
<i>Keep watch for news of Cynthia’s half marathon in Yangon in January, 2020</i>.<br />
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Photo below: Naw Pho Thandar And Naw Juisi, graduates of Lightning for Learning. </div>
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<h2>
Mawlamyine Christian Leprosy Hospital</h2>
Another organization we have facilitated is the Christian Leprosy Hospital in Mawlamyine. A concerned friend in the US has been raising funds for the hospital. We have facilitated the transfer of funds to buy a much-needed ultrasound machine. Photo below shows staff and doctors from the hospital praying for the dedication of the ultrasound.<br />
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<h2>
From Saw Kaw Khu:</h2>
Saw Kaw Khu, who is now studying at Central Baptist Seminary in Kansas, sent this:<br />
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I am writing this letter to show my appreciation to you for generously donating $1,500 to the nine students in Mae La Refugee Camp. The nine students were originally born in Karen State, Burma. Some of them are from Buddhist background and some are Christians. That was such an abundant blessing for them. This donation helps and encourages them to stay focused on their studies without having to worry about their physical needs. Your generous support is a hope that motivates them as they keep following their passionate dreams.<br />
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Our purpose for this ministry is to reach out to the children who are in need of education, and be a light that shines in a corner where we are with the ability God has given us. We are filled with hope in God as we saw friends willingly offer help.<br />
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It is almost two years we are providing the opportunity for these students. We try our best seeking financial support for the students. Gracefully, because of the love and support from friends, we are able to continue this ministry. I would like to thank Friends of Burma from the bottom of my heart for your love and generous support. Your love and support means more than anything for the students who enjoy the blessing you share.</div>
<h2>
From Russ in his own words:</h2>
Russ, has taken four village children into his own home.<br />
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<i>Yesterday I bought some bread and coffee as the kids want me to buy. We still have some butter at home. After studying until 9 o’clock, we ate together. The kids are like Americans. They like bread and butter very much. They put some sugar on the bread too. Before we ate, we pray for Friends of Burma. It was a beautiful night. It was fun. We were talking about the food in their village while eating happily. They ate more than we can. After that, they went to sleep.</i><br />
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<i>Thank you so much for caring.</i><br />
<i>Sincerely, Russ </i><br />
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A student enjoying her bread</div>
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Russ and the children giving thanks for food</div>
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<h2>
Wish List</h2>
<ul>
<li>$31,000 X-RAY machine for Matthew 25 Love clinic </li>
<li>$50.00 Christmas gift to a needy family</li>
<li>$50.00 for a Christmas party for a childcare center (there are nine of them)</li>
<li>Prayers and support for flood victims in Mon and Karen states during last month monsoon season</li>
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This newsletter was written and compiled by Anna Barbara Maung and Lwin Moe. Please notify us if you wish to be on the emailing list, as this saves us money.</div>
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<strong>Friends of Burma, Inc.</strong> <em>548 Home Ave. Ft. Wayne, IN 46807</em><br />
<em>Tel. 260-745-3658, Email: president@friendsofburma.org<br />Website: <a href="http://friendsofburma.org/">http://friendsofburma.org</a>, Blog: <a href="http://blog.friendsofburma.org/">http://blog.friendsofburma.org</a></em><br />
<em>E-Newsletters: <a href="http://news.friendsofburma.org/">http://news.friendsofburma.org</a></em>Lwin Moehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07744752229286096883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3863369074070826888.post-87202436681489562212019-06-29T12:53:00.002-04:002019-06-29T13:09:14.769-04:00Looking for a board memberDear Friend of Friends of Burma, Inc.,<br />
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Friends of Burma, Inc is an incorporated 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization. It is governed by a sixteen member board that meets once a year alternating between Peoria (Phoenix, AZ) and Fort Wayne, IN. Between meetings motions are voted on by e-mail.<br />
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One of our board members has elected not to run again so we are looking for a board member. Terms are for five years.<br />
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The board is a mixture of Burmese and White Americans, Middle aged and old. Oops, senior citizens!<br />
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Most board members support FOB financially unless they contribute a needed skill. We are looking for a board member very interested in helping the Burmese. Since all of our board members are over 40, a younger person might be of special interest.<br />
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FOB has no stipend for the board members, as our organization is almost completely volunteer. You have the gratitude of the Burmese people for what you do. Board members travel to the annual meeting at their own expense.<br />
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So, if you are interested or know someone you think we ought to look at, please tell us.<br />
<br />
In Christ’s Service,<br />
<br />
Neil SowardsLwin Moehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07744752229286096883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3863369074070826888.post-88259378604485097382019-05-13T22:25:00.000-04:002019-05-13T22:25:21.698-04:00Friends of Burma, Inc. Newsletter Spring 2019Here is <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mqqJFo7AjuV4ctGagTDrP8AiecVDvMg9/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">our newsletter for the spring 2019 in PDF</a>.Lwin Moehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07744752229286096883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3863369074070826888.post-67231054107389073602019-01-11T18:26:00.001-05:002019-01-11T19:44:37.886-05:00Friends of Burma Annual Report 2018"Pure unsoiled religion in the judgment of God the Father means this: to care for *orphans and widows in their trouble….." (James 1:27) *As in Matthew, the word implies personal service and help. [James Moffatt translation.]<br />
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When Friends of Burma first began in 1985, we focused on higher education primarily. In the 1990's the Karen Baptist Convention (KBC) began operating orphanages for the many children who were products of unrest in Karen and Shan states, and for children of very poor villages. Thus, FOB began supporting orphans.<br />
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We now support nine childcare centers under the KBC, one under the supervision of the Loikaw Baptist church, and one long time independent facility in Taunggyi, which was originally started by 3 sisters. Although there are other donors who give support, our support is crucial for the continued survival of the KBC facilities. Here is a success story for one of the orphans.<br />
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Naw Esther, first arrived at the orphanage on June 1, 1998 and began schooling in Loikaw from Grade 6. Rev. Richard Thawt, the then pastor of Loikaw Baptist Church, brought her from Daw-law-khu village after finding her as an orphan there. After failing the Matric exam twice, she attended the Kayah Seminary in Demawsoe for four years from 2005 to 2009 till she got the L.Th degree. She served at the orphanage for a year, then joined the Southern Shan State Seminary in Taunggyi for the B.Th degree from 2010 to 2012. Later she served at the orphanage as the boarding mistress as well as the spiritual teacher, dutifully caring for her younger fellow orphans with love and patience. She got married beautifully before God and man at Loikaw Baptist Church in January, 2018. She continued to look after the children till the end of their final exams in March, 2018. Only then she left the orphanage for good and went to live with her husband in Sar-boo-taung village in the Bago Division. She was the most obedient and dutiful among all the orphans who came to live at the orphanage. She is much loved and greatly missed by everyone, especially by the committee members.<br />
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Along with our support of orphans, we have over the years contributed to the health of various libraries. On Oct. 29, 2018, Alan Po, head librarian for Myanmar Institute of Theology, visited Neil and Diana on his way home to Myanmar the next day. Diana invited him to pick his "most desired" historical and relevant Baptist related books to carry back with him. These will be used for research and study at the seminary. There are two other seminaries on the compound that also will have access to these valuable books. Some date from the collection of Neil's parents, and include autographed copies of some mission related books. There is a total value of approximately $1,600.00.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td><img height="399" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/pURCpjOd2WCK4czK_UvEQilrtU-21kZagb9ctrq7OX50pclBSV8thBhByTLA91tRH9sOe2lO7J1L7xt4obNGENOnf9AeCnkS_lDAXZAjHGT-oOPcPE3S4Bt6SZVXA3OJAfIbqREAcYeY3SCV-g" style="border: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; transform: rotate(0rad);" width="345" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Alan Po, MIT Librarian</td></tr>
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The books will be marked with a bookplate inscribed with "Gift of friendsofburma.org". This is a donation to be used, protected, and treasured at M.I.T.'s library. It is just part of our years of supporting libraries for the good of the country and includes many books shipped to India and carried over the border to Chin State, the independent Dr. Chit Maung Library, and several other libraries throughout the country.<br />
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On Nov. 1, I was sitting in the office of a literacy organization here in Ft. Wayne when I noticed their very sophisticated and elegant mirrored logo wall decoration. I looked--and thought--FOB doesn't have anything like that to present to the public. (this is because we are a bare bones volunteer organization in which nobody in the U.S. is paid to do the work of our charity. Our hard working board members work free.) Then I saw fliers from an organization that offers low interest, partly refundable loans to students. And I thought--FOB has offered thousands of scholarship grants, not loans, to students in Myanmar since 1985. I want you to consider this as you pass on your newsletters and talk to your friends and put FOB's values on social media. We will rely on you subscribers to get the word out on the needs we are attempting to meet.<br />
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From the very beginning of FOB, our focus was on education. Following is a testimony to the meaning of education and how you, our donors, have helped so many students.<br />
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<i>Dear Donor, First of all I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to you for your kindness. My name is Naw Bway Khu and I just graduated this September 2018 majoring in Business Administration. As I am the eldest daughter out of four siblings, my parents have difficulties sending me to the University. During my years at K.B.T.S. I learned subjects relating to Business Administration and marketing has become my favorite subject as I'm interested in creating and promoting my own ideas of products. I believe the knowledge and experiences I gained from KBTS would help me in my future career. At the moment, I'm trying to do my final year of University of Distance Education, majoring in English which will finish in November first week. I hope to apply for a job after the exam. I'm very thankful that although my parents cannot afford to send me to the university, the Lord has provided and made a way for me with kind people like you. I really feel very blessed and hope to become a person who is sharing my blessing with others. Thank you so much and I pray that the LORD will bless you richly. With best regards, <b>Naw Bway Khu</b></i><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="225" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/dm2Ak2HTXH2B2C6jZ9aV2gZ9W8T8pCcSd5OQCnCDmCA0fIhKkFEl8aCJpsVHDI646GUhaobtpK445TDtEf5OF2bzzyBM70VuzYyLrF29_FJRAyik4ueuiLNq8yYuxZKAzFSBne05TIP17XJpew" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mosquito nets donation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Malaria is a very big problem in Burma. It kills many and if a person recovers they can have relapses if they get weak. The most cost effective way to fight malaria is with mosquito nets which protect people at night which is when the malaria mosquitoes bite. A good net has insecticide that kills the mosquitoes if they land on the net thus protecting the sleepers if they lie against the net. FOB has given out hundreds of nets to protect pastors and evangelists.<br />
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During the year 2018 FOB took in $407,602. Most of this was designated by the donor for a particular program the donor wanted to support or was for a program of their own that was within FOB's mission statement. Part of the undesignated money was from one donor who gives to support FOB's annual budget of $57,840. That left $27,167 in undesignated money that the board will allot at our annual meeting June 20, 2019.<br />
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<img alt="Women’s Empowerment Program" height="298" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/QsTSVeYjW_c7F8Z9KNd3JjY59DRhmesyEto5zC-DtkUPuasXvxMiiXxXIvlm-LTUYq1f3a_aYfbldMy_ETw93PohtNXWp8o_V7txwaJnuJp877fnczEOcnj9vEf49hlJRlrkLm-6bkMAbFDplg" title="Women’s Empowerment Program" width="400" /><br />
According to Naw Paw Gaw, whose Women's Empowerment Programs have been supported by you, the accomplishments of the mainly women's groups have been many. The groups are reaching milestones of saving, trust building, accountability, and cooperating in their various communities. Her comment, "I do believe that FOB members will receive joy and satisfaction when they see the positive life changes in group empowerment members."<br />
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The following are some of her reports:<br />
<b>Pwo Karen Women Department</b>. This group is still going in gaining income generation. They provide loans to other women's groups each year. From the benefits of the loans, they provide skill training. This year they supported a Bible student from their profits.<br />
<br />
<b>Hpa Pun Women's Group</b>. This group received funds of 300,000 kyats ($250 U. S. Dollars) from Friends of Myanmar Governing Board (FOMGB). (This group in Myanmar which disburses $20,000 a year.) They have plans to make a small scale business of printing local materials. The leader has attended training at the KBC Women's Department. During the month of July, because of flooding, they could not start as planned, but now they are preparing to activate the printing project and are very excited. They have great hopes for success.<br />
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<img height="300" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/v33PMisGUJf_kNE1vPtc2sx5nAc0VjNuoIIG8Jn-dLtny8YeYbG09obn2rHbYTg27V9lo6B7f3AZtTkwK8ltHJfKBjStdTi1OPrYvxg9r-emg4k5B-WavSa9TunKkvDx3bOTto2zEjWiXY0Pww" width="400" /><br />
<br />
<b>Mara Chin Women's Group</b>. This group is run by Rev. Mrs. Mai Ki. They received FOMGB funds of 300,000 kyats ($250) on July 24, 2018. They will encourage mothers to increase their income by providing initial funds for traditional weaving in the village. They will make materials available and link to the markets in Yangon. Emphasis will be placed on children's education.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="300" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/gIy3jDBIbaMfsGTHNN6lc4SS2bBc6j7DC-WF5BrhpXLwE-TvnHb4VINuQFtI6dYDNRwI626d7wfq8yO6ycyH-IwhzhjKa5tH1HkgtmxYTh-75efyMQvmzqlgpYLjzrsMXdfCW-bHWiNGzBsjZg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eye glasses donation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Many thanks for your most generous gift of 207,000 kyats ($138) to Hsaw Htit Bible School for glasses. <i>Lady Paw, Principal</i>.<br />
<br />
We want to ask you who are on our mailing list to do three things to help FOB.<br />
<ul>
<li>Pray for Friends of Burma, that we will be wise and careful in funding those projects that we can raise funding for.</li>
<li>Talk about us to your friends. Two of our elder board members have done an outstanding job of raising funds by talking about us. To those of you using social media, please mention us.</li>
<li>If you use email and have not done this already, please send us your email so we can reduce our postage costs. We watch every penny.</li>
</ul>
Some of you retired people have IRA's and must take the required minimum distribution (RMD). You pay taxes on this distribution. The good news is that rolling over part or all of your RMD to a charity like ours can help reduce your tax bill while supporting our cause. If you are 70 ½ or older, you can direct your IRA administrator to distribute a gift to Friends of Burma.<br />
<br />
<b>Our Wish List</b><br />
<ol>
<li>A long time professor at KBTS is on kidney dialysis. He still teaches at home. He needs dialysis twice a week. $50.00/dialysis treatment</li>
<li>We have lost three donors who went to their final reward. So we need three donors who will give $360 each year to support an orphan,</li>
<li>Sponsor a self help women's group aka Microcredit or Entrepreneur group $300</li>
<li>Give needy students prescription eyeglasses. Cost is $17 per student, a school can total $150 to $400.</li>
<li>Give a hearing aid to an old minister $50.00</li>
<li>Support Naw Eh Ka Lu Paw, teacher at Late Pote Village. $200 per year.</li>
<li>The Bible School at Hinthada to help them pay back a loan for a building they desperately needed. School has been in existence a long time. Our Goal $1,000.</li>
</ol>
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<br />
<img height="224" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/DfYeZuJNHIQGDwNUpH_BIZtGu6L1kDqc8VQacutjCgyhqTPDRei9XXGwQY3inLMrT2G56UD4IfVnkPvjP0606wEYiXH7JTRvBJkjsRZoW6n9s1bm2w-shKlnHCnxyxgzuXbHL3htlmFRZ5JaGw" width="400" /><br />
21 Ministers from Language and Regional Conventions who received mosquito nets.<br />
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<img height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/KdB1c_qqzX95mg-Hk7Qv4LDLSIxmKBmxcly7ydvXFmXYq0LEmaIkRxcbEX-gM-g1GRgMYksUCa_DHQ0Ws1hfUZG6WRVjHkIM0-eLnoWZ4f4PAihHpSsr9jnqz_ffEAT527Ed36XmbPP07GPhaA" width="323" /> <img height="400" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/WKK9oD1CzSQHq7te1jm3lyChMvnUBIpCzrwPcpyjVsxTnVh50NxZ6RB0ZPmexShGMU_BW3rH91JZRyKl3qHB3ktZnSUZ0qdesdRZVIP6KbiEyU7nmFKSwLA564o_H0P3pJ9xpvct90JNGg_GwA" width="296" /><br />
Saw Kaw Khu & Naw Nay Mu from Kawthulei Karen Baptist Bible School & College who are studying online at Central Theological Seminary. A donor helped them for their first year.<br />
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<img height="299" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/xm7Xjh2zb73nMMVhQ-MU3YTqm2hwm5pMk7wpzW9yeWM8lukiAVaxGHHqT0MGh8LyHpAK3xrk8gQXxrpc6VLKYtDDTCPwDa08X9g-9UVVijupilbugEi2-8Ay-ub0BmJBsjjnBElvVy5H6tbT4w" width="400" /><br />
Woman's Entrepreneur Restaurant.<br />
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<img height="400" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/kZnYFkYWZ0hEasKWfGcGKKqI35kZ8uKFL6TwpdUh86JlET7Hq72AVTbWM9UyOQ2gx_8JLi8A_TYS_4Icee0W3Yy8cvqjSGI_GnEXQzvVENUEyuXKmLg6cXWBi3quS1x4oPXvHK0GmcvZfWxl5w" width="373" /><br />
$1,600 worth of rare books on Burma missions from Diana's Library for MIT's library.<br />
<br />
548 Home Ave. Ft. Wayne, IN 46807<br />
E-mail: neildianasowards@juno.com Tel. 260-745-3658<br />
Website:<a href="http://friendsofburma.org/"> http://friendsofburma.org</a><br />
Compiled by Neil & Diana Sowards<br />
<br />Lwin Moehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07744752229286096883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3863369074070826888.post-41262221878482705932018-10-08T22:09:00.001-04:002018-10-08T22:09:24.279-04:00Friends of Burma, Inc. Newsletter Fall 2018Here is <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UUucE6IcwUQxNOZ29t1kIcATn4Zv8-Mi/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">our newsletter for Fall 2018 in PDF</a>.Lwin Moehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07744752229286096883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3863369074070826888.post-57563585634535872702018-05-02T22:00:00.002-04:002018-05-14T21:36:08.330-04:00Friends of Burma, Inc. Newsletter Spring 2018Here is our <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ngXoGswlcHd1lcjNpIrgjGFdhy1vhoN8/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">newsletter for the spring 2018 in PDF</a>.Lwin Moehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07744752229286096883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3863369074070826888.post-85070602954234205442018-01-20T19:40:00.003-05:002019-01-10T21:31:03.952-05:00Friends of Burma Annual Report 2017We are now entering our 33rd year with one part time financial secretary in Burma (Myanmar) and a hard working core of volunteers here and in Burma. Our board of sixteen is all volunteers. Several have visited Burma and helped carry out our work there. We are small but do important work.<br />
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<b>Report from Thanda who FOB helped train in Singapore in Music.</b><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5kB0wWQ29vR-ygVF62Wjneoe2lcxA4ctLzvsoGSkyEc7X-2kVyAarnX99rUruNR9DT5IdN9iGECW90JPwAzM3MKiDNxP28xs8BPWwKQFiTTZG3epPHSNsCyxhtvbQKVkFjht9Scs_N6jK/s1600/image1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1124" data-original-width="1459" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5kB0wWQ29vR-ygVF62Wjneoe2lcxA4ctLzvsoGSkyEc7X-2kVyAarnX99rUruNR9DT5IdN9iGECW90JPwAzM3MKiDNxP28xs8BPWwKQFiTTZG3epPHSNsCyxhtvbQKVkFjht9Scs_N6jK/s400/image1.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Music students at Ko Tha Pyu Seminary, Pathein, Burma.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I just simply would like to update about my ministry. By God’s grace and guidance, I can overcome another year of teaching ministry after I graduated from Singapore Bible College. For the academic year of 2017-18, we have 18 students who join for Certificate of Church Music and another 4 students who take Diploma course. Through the ups and downs, we all went through the process of preparing them to be a useful instrument for their future ministry. Last year we could present Christmas Cantata in our own dialect (which is composed by the local composer) to the Churches in Tharyarwady and Pathein Division. We were very glad that we could be a blessing to the people from different villages that could hardly experience Christmas Cantata. This year round, we, Church Music Department did mini cantata on Christian Family week as well. We will be presenting Christmas Cantata once again on the first week of December at one of the churches in Yangon. We will be going for mission trip to Taungoo on December school break and will travel to Kayah State for annual mass meeting of the Karen Baptist Convention. Due to your prayer support and blessings, we can serve the Lord and involve in music ministry. As we are approaching the Christmas season, may people see God through us, experience God’s love through our deeds and speech. May God protect you and each and every one of your family members from all harms. May you continue be a blessing for the people and the nations. With love and blessings,” Thandar<br />
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<b>Preaching tapes.</b><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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One interesting project FOB has become involved in is partnering with Karen Baptist Theological Seminary. They are inviting ten really good preachers to come and preach to the students. These sermons will be videotaped and then shared with the Homiletic Class (Preaching Class) in future years and with the 15 Karen Bible Schools. We believe good preaching is learned by hearing good preachers.<br />
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<b>Where There Is No Psychiatrist and Where There Is No Child Psychiatrist.</b> <br />
FOB made thirteen copies of the above books (with the publisher’s permission) and had the four schools who train Village Health Workers and nine seminaries evaluate them. Burma is facing a rising crisis in mental health with an increase of alcoholism, drug abuse, anxiety, and depression. The feedback we got from the evaluators is that these books were too high a level for village health workers, Bible Schools, and Seminaries. Therefore the conclusion is that they should not be translated into Burmese at this time. It costs $15 to copy a pair of these books. Since there are forty eight Baptist Bible Schools and Seminaries in Burma, it will cost $720 to give one copy of each book for each school. Some have requested six copies for their professors and library. If we give two copies to each school, the cost will be $1,440.00. FOB board will vote on this project at its Annual meeting Feb 17th in Phoenix, AZ.<br />
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If any of you know of helps for pastors and health workers in dealing with the four mental illnesses listed above, please let me know about them.<br />
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<b>Public Funding Sites</b></div>
Friends of Burma needs to find add additional sources of income. There are many Public Funding sites. Some of the sites are: GoFundMe, YouCaring, GiveForward, Fundly, Indiegogo, FundRazr. However, we don’t have enough knowledgeable people to productively use these sites to raise money for us. We tried and failed. We would love to have some volunteers who can help put up the projects from the Burmese Christians on the sites and steer the projects to get enough funding. If you are interested in helping, please contact Neil Sowards.<br />
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It might help if you mention us on Facebook etc. or pass on our newsletter to friends.<br />
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<b>Dr. T. Than Byah Christian Institute.</b> <br />
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This school was founded by Rev Dr. Saw Yaha Lay Lay La in 2014. This school on the Thai border offers three majors; Management Information Systems, English Language and Literature, and Business Administration. Their program is three years which ends with an Associate Degree.<br />
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It is supported by several Karen churches here in the United States.<br />
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<b>Paw Wah Doh Children’s library.</b><br />
<br />
Neil met Paw Wah Doh in 1985 when he carried in medicine that saved her life from TB. She spent her life establishing preschool nurseries, training Nursery Teachers, teaching people to make educational toys, and helped establish 94 nursery schools in the Shwe Gyin area. She has retired and is working to develop a library related to Nursery Schools and Children’s books.<br />
<b><br />Genevieve Myrtle Sowards Gillen </b><br />
<br />
I am sorry to report the passing of my sister on September 16, 2017. She was born in Burma and in recent years visited there several times. She helped FOB over the years and built the Gillen Hostel in Pathein which housed outstanding students from the villages so they could complete Middle and High School.<b><br /><br />Summary of FOB Finances<br /><br />Expenditures for 2017.</b><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
Orphan Support<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> $33,867<br />
Dr. T. Than Byah Christian Institute $10,000<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
Other organizations’ projects $85,400<br />
Library<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> $300<br />
Humanitarian <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> $4,990<br />
Scholarships<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> $21,850<br />
Medical<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> $8,558<br />
Myo Mission Field<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> $1,000<br />
Microcredit<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> $1,900<br />
Karen Bible Schools<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> $5,000<br />
Specific Scholarships<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> $3,850<br />
Naw Paw Doh, Shwe Gyin $2,000<br />
Bible Schools & Seminaries $6,030<br />
Grant to all Bible Schools<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> $7,990<br />
Myo Evangelism<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> $4,600<br />
Grant to Friends of Myanmar $20,000<br />
Buildings <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> $750<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
Special Projects<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span> $400</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;">
General Funds Total $63,483.94 Used for budget $57,840. Overhead—postage, printing, office expenses $658.61, Bank Charges $240, Financial Secretary Salary $3,000. Total Overhead $3,898, which is 1.47% of our income.</div>
To be allotted at Annual Meeting $5,643.94</div>
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<b>Dr. Chit Maung Library Report by Anna Maung on the 20th Anniversary</b></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwiByi0-hWjKEqfq-4ZTdV9yMZOXW2kulnldmONs606FmmPi5hnUoAaoEuacbV-FimAF9xqTqyV3MtGPIwc5s-S3YNFubppl2-GNt8oj-3AULD2vmAFyicLsbV_kPOkjUx_hB6WN9s2HiL/s1600/chit_maung_library_birthday_cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: "Nimbus Sans L"; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; white-space: normal;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1259" data-original-width="1600" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwiByi0-hWjKEqfq-4ZTdV9yMZOXW2kulnldmONs606FmmPi5hnUoAaoEuacbV-FimAF9xqTqyV3MtGPIwc5s-S3YNFubppl2-GNt8oj-3AULD2vmAFyicLsbV_kPOkjUx_hB6WN9s2HiL/s320/chit_maung_library_birthday_cake.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTP6P5Wf0iZqJ_0JlODC3s90t8A35xfAwxPdADeaEzmp5cTCcT2PtwYe9yBt-VoicoOoWttFxGjq0J-EwmGd9P3Yve3uwV8VufN-cX8c0ZmtA1LysRmV57gusaGS22EOCdUf2vkNkX5wMV/s1600/image-0-02-06-8839a15195d960be6e8e1cc016f1dbe68ec578f343becddf35d018a1f7375717-V.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: "Nimbus Sans L"; font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center; white-space: normal;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTP6P5Wf0iZqJ_0JlODC3s90t8A35xfAwxPdADeaEzmp5cTCcT2PtwYe9yBt-VoicoOoWttFxGjq0J-EwmGd9P3Yve3uwV8VufN-cX8c0ZmtA1LysRmV57gusaGS22EOCdUf2vkNkX5wMV/s320/image-0-02-06-8839a15195d960be6e8e1cc016f1dbe68ec578f343becddf35d018a1f7375717-V.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div>
<br />
By the grace of God the Dr. Chit Maung library (DCML) can celebrate its 20th anniversary. A Thanksgiving service celebrating the anniversary was held on December 30,2017 at the library.<br />
<br />
Thramu Tansy, (Tansy Kadoe, a board member) one of the founders, explained a brief history of DCML and Dr. Adam Maung(also founder and board member) gave a thanksgiving message. Words of thanks were expressed by former librarian Anna Barbara.<br />
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DCML was established in July,1997 and supported by FOB. In the year 2000 we offered English classes for children (age 4 to 15) and now we have more than 150 students. We found out that our English learning center is growing more than the reading service and we decided to change the title of our organization from the library to the Learning Center and plan to offer more different levels of English classes.<br />
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We are planning to rearrange our collection to remove some types of printed materials which are not popular to our community and replace with new materials especially for educational purposes.<br />
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We would like to express our heartfelt thanks and great appreciation to FOB, Neil and Diana Sowards, family members of the late Dr. Chit Maung, staff, volunteers and all donors who have supported our DCML during 20 years to become a successful organization.<b><i> Anna Barbara</i></b><br />
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We would like to comment on donations to Friends of Burma. The beauty of supporting a small nonprofit such as ours is that donors feel a close association with the country and the needs of the people.<br />
<br />
Some people, particularly sponsors of orphans, donate to a specific child in a specific child care center. We always tell donors that their support helps ALL the children there. Others support other projects that they have a particular interest in, such as microcredit assisting the poorest of the poor to establish their own businesses.<br />
<br />
On the other hand, some donors send in undesignated donations, allowing us to either hold these funds until used for an emergency or to use for some immediate need. This is what allowed us to assist workers in the country with relief efforts after the devastating Nargis cyclone in 2008. People working in Pathein with the Karen associations which were already there were immediately able to give humanitarian supplies to the survivors. We also have sent support to Kachin and Rakhine internally displaced people (IDP’s) We do this from our general funds. Without undesignated funds we could not do this.<br />
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Whatever the designation of your kind support, we thank you and the people of Burma thank you!</div>
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<b>Lwin Moe and Swe Di Nar</b></div>
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As we are writing this annual report we would be remiss if we did not mention how much our Board member, computer guru, webmaster, and “foster” son, Lwin Moe has meant to us and to Friends of Burma.<br />
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From the time he arrived in the U.S. in 1998, to live with us and attend university, to graduation with a B.S. in Computer Science from Purdue University at Ft. Wayne to his return to Burma to teach at the Myanmar Institute of Theology, and then his graduate work in Thailand and at Indiana U. he has been a constant support to Friends of Burma.<br />
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Now, after six years of being here on an H1B visa, a working visa with Linguist List, that visa is expiring and, not having been given a green card, he and wife Swe are leaving the U.S. to become Canadian citizens. They will return to Burma for an extended visit to both their families and then fly to Canada in the summer to take up residence there, and hopefully enter a PhD program somewhere in Ontario.<br />
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He will continue to support FOB electronically when he is able. To say we will miss him will be an understatement. Words cannot describe how important he is to us. Best wishes to him and Swe Di Nar as they embark on their new lives.<br />
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<b>In Their Own Words</b></div>
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"<i>Dear FOB donors,<br /><br />First, I would like to thank you so much for loving this poor family. It is impossible for the family to get this kind of big present from local people. I found the kids are very happy in this Christmas season. The family come to the church and also to the thanksgiving service of the other villagers’ family in the village.<br /><br />I don’t see the father in the village but this Christmas is very special for them. They can eat what they want to. Especially kids are very happy with their new dress and presents. Before they did not come to the village often but now I frequently find them in the village. Your love put them out from the depression and encourage them to come to the community. The pastor and the villagers also pay the attention, and show their love to them as much as they can. <br /><br />I even see them in a thanksgiving service this morning. The elder sister push the wheelchair. Thank you so much for what you do for us. May the Lord keep on blessing you.</i>" Sincerely Russ Kadoe</div>
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<b>Wish List</b>.</div>
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<li>Dr. T. Than Byah Christian Institute, a rural college $10,000</li>
<li>Distributing mental health books set $14.00; to all schools- $1440.00 </li>
<li>Medical students $1000 each year for two students</li>
<li>Support an orphan $360 per year.</li>
<li>$1500 to support a dental student in Yangon (she is from Pathein) per year.</li>
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Congratulations to board member Tansy Kadoe who received her Masters in Counseling. She is working with Karens in Thailand with two of her church members.</div>
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<b>Amazon Smile</b><br />
When you shop on AmazonSmile (<a href="https://smile.amazon.com/">https://smile.amazon.com</a>), <b><i>the AmazonSmile Foundation</i></b> will donate a small percentage of the price of eligible purchases to your choice of charitable organizations. Friends of Burma, Inc. is registered on AmazonSmile. You can use this link to choose FOB, start shopping and donate without costing you a dime: <a href="http://smile.amazon.com/ch/20-5572384">http://smile.amazon.com/ch/20-5572384</a>.<br />
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<i>This report was prepared by Neil and Diana Sowards with help from Lwin Moe.</i><br />
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<strong>Friends of Burma, Inc.</strong> <em>548 Home Ave. Ft. Wayne, IN 46807</em><br />
<em>Tel. 260-745-3658, Email: president@friendsofburma.org<br />Website: <a href="http://friendsofburma.org/">http://friendsofburma.org</a>, Blog: <a href="http://blog.friendsofburma.org/">http://blog.friendsofburma.org</a></em><br />
<em>E-Newsletters: <a href="http://news.friendsofburma.org/">http://news.friendsofburma.org</a></em></div>
Lwin Moehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07744752229286096883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3863369074070826888.post-88927070568431742572017-10-15T10:43:00.001-04:002018-05-14T21:38:45.174-04:00Friends of Burma, Inc. Newsletter, A Special Edition from Yangon, Fall 2017<b>The Music that Adorns Churches</b><br />
<i>by Adam Maung</i><br />
Since I came back to Myanmar last year, I have been attending the same church where I was baptized on Insein seminary hill. Amazingly enough a lot within the church building - the pews, the lightings, the banner, etc. - have remained the same for the past 25 years!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thramu Tah Mla Paw Meh at CMD Music library</td></tr>
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However, the one noticeable transformation is a beautiful choir music by seminary students. The beautiful voices, nicely arranged music, a polished piano all add to a wonderful worship experience. The person in charge of the choir is my childhood friend Thramu Ta Mla Paw Meh, who is the head of Church Music Department (CMD) at Karen Baptist Theological Seminary (KBTS). Some of you may recall that FOB has supported her and her department periodically in the past. One weekend afternoon I decided to visit my longtime friend Thramu Ta Mla Paw Meh and her program.<br />
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About 20 years ago, KBTS introduced CMD, and it has since made a significant impact to church music in the Karen communities. The program is designed to train and educate students so that they could go back to serve their churches. And most of the graduates have done just that. The primary focus is in piano, choice, and voices but there are also cello and wind instruments.<br />
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There are ten used pianos for students to practice and take lessons. Thramu Ta Mla Paw is hoping to get an electronic piano (please see the Wish List).</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A CMD student practicing piano</td></tr>
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The department has remained relatively small with a low student-to-teacher ratio so that students benefit from teacher’s attention. Currently there are 7 teachers with 20 fulltime students within the department. Three of the teachers, including Thramu Ta Mlah Paw, studied music abroad and came back to serve. In fact, two of them were sponsored by FOB during their studies abroad. The teachers’ main responsibilities include overall music for KBTS. In addition to a one-year program that offers Certificate of Church Music, this year CMD starts a Church Music Diploma that requires two years. </div>
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The wonderful job that CMD has done obviously reflects in the beautiful Sunday services that I have been attending. Thanks to the department, Karen churches in Myanmar these days have good pianists which I particularly appreciate because most Karen churches in the US are devoid of good pianists. </div>
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<b>Myanmar Young Returnees</b></div>
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<i>by Adam Maung</i></div>
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I have been quite encouraged to see a lot of young people in their mid 20s to early 30s’ repatriated back to Myanmar. It is timely as the country basically needs as many of these young repats to rebuild and modernize. </div>
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Harmony Kadoe (picture above) is one of those who decided to come back to Myanmar after finishing her bachelor’s at Bacone College in Muskogee, OK. Some of you may remember her as she spent two summers with Neil and Diana helping FOB as well as a Karen church in Ft. Wayne, IN.</div>
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Since coming back to Yangon in 2015, she has taught at KBTS, BARS, Dr. Chit Maung Library as well as in Nyaung Ywa. In addition, she has started a fellowship program between KBTS Liberal Arts Program (KLAP) and a migrants’ school in Thoo Mweh Khee (TMK) located 45-minute drive from Mae Sot in Thailand. The purpose of the program was to connect KLAP students to Thoo Mweh Khee and explore ways to help out the school. She also did a mission trip with Thra Tawlu to Bago Yoma as a follow-up to the mission work that FOB has supported. In both trips, she leveraged her US connection to secure funding. Currently, she works for the Ministry of Communications in Nay Pyi Daw teaching high-ranking officials English but finds time to do volunteer work. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harmony with KLAP students in Thoo Mweh Khee</td></tr>
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Like Harmony, most young returnees keep themselves busy with many side jobs or activities. They are genuinely excited about the opportunities in Myanmar and the potential that they can realize for the country and the difference that they can make for the people. They find ways to use the ideas and connections that they have brought back to make the pursuit of life more fulfilling than while they were abroad. For Myanmar’s sake, let’s keep them coming back!</div>
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<b>A Bicycle Boy Sells Ice to Support Mom</b></div>
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<i>by Adam Maung</i></div>
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On his trip to distribute mosquito nets in Hmawbi area, Russ, FOB only paid staff in Myanmar, came across a poor mother of 8 children. With an alcoholic husband, Naw Mu Gyi, struggled to make ends meet. Naw Mu Gyi did odd jobs to support her family but with the youngest child at age 3, life was unkind to her. Her son Saw Gay Nay Wah, however, helped out by selling ice from a factory in nearby villages. Recently, this 11-year old boy needed a new bike to continue to support his mom. So Russ took him to a Hmawbi market and got him a new bike.</div>
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<b>Christian Education Center from Dawei, Southern Myanmar</b><br />
<i style="background-color: white;">By Naw Show Ei Ei Tun</i></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dawei Youth Hostel Students</td></tr>
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Early this year, I had a chance to go to Dawei, the capital of Thanintharyi Region in Southern Burma bordering with Thailand for the first time for work. While there, I had an opportunity to visit Christian Education Center – a youth hostel – which is now home to 120 middle and high school students (5th to 10th grade) coming from nearby Karen villages including some from beautiful islands in Myeik Archipelago. The Christian Education Center was first founded about 12 years ago in 2005 by a Baptist pastor Rev. Saw Tun Oo and his wife Naw Flory, a native of Thanintharyi, when they saw many children were missing opportunities to continue their education beyond elementary school as their native villages simply did not have full high schools. To provide them with further education opportunities, the couple decided to start a small hostel under the auspices of Karen Baptist Convention (KBC)’s Dawei Myeik Baptist Association. During the weekdays, the students go to public middle and high schools in Dawei. They provide room and board, tutoring sessions after school hours and spiritual guidance for the students. The school is financed by fees from parents or guardians, individual donors and some contribution by the Dawei Myeik Baptist Association. They collect only 150,000 Myanmar Kyats (est. US$110) per academic year for one student from the parents as almost all the parents are poor villagers who have lost land or livelihood due to intense armed conflicts or land grab in their areas. Some are orphans. Lately, children whose parents have left for Thailand as migrant workers have been coming to the hostel. It is sad to learn that some parents have stopped contacting and supporting their children because of divorce or other challenges faced as migrant workers in Thailand. Rev. Saw Tun Oo said his students’ high school graduation rate is low (10%) due to their weak Burmese language skill, he still strongly feels fulfilled and the need to continue this ministry as it is making a difference in students’ lives who would have only received elementary education. (The national high school graduation rate is only 31-24%). He is pleased that they were able to send some high school graduates to universities. In light of changing political landscape and a more open economy, Rev. Saw Tun Oo is now exploring opportunities to network with vocational training programs for his students so that they can find ways to get jobs and stand on their own feet. </div>
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He said narcotic drug addiction has been a major challenge for youth there, as it is elsewhere in many parts of the country. Some major contributing factors are lack of sound formal or non-formal education and/or good recreational outlets where youth can grow, learn and have fun. In addition to running the hostel, Rev. Saw Tun Oo is actively involved in advocacy for youth development together with other non-government community based organizations and international NGOs operating in the area. </div>
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<b>In Their Own Words</b><br />
We often receive wonderful feedback on the various projects that we support. Here are some in their own words so that as a supporter of FOB, you know what a blessing you have been.<br />
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<b>Eye Glasses </b>
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<i>“We thank all FOB members and all donors for giving eyeglasses to so many students of bible schools in Myanmar for so many years. Many of them become pastor, lecturer, evangelist, leader and serve in the community. May the Lord keep on blessing FOB.”</i> <b>Nant Christina - Pu Mya San Pwo Karen Bible School</b></div>
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<b>Hearing Aids </b>
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<i>“<b>Saw Poe The</b> is a Deacon of Yon Daunt Karen Baptist Church at Delta. He is 80 years old but very active in church activities. When he heard about hearing aids program from FOB he was very happy and even he came from very far place as soon as he heard about it. He is very thanking FOB for support him with hearing aid and it is very powerful for his life and it’s like his starting a new life.” </i><b>Thramu Naw Paw Gaw</b></div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>News and Updates</b><br />
<ul>
<li>English classes at <b>Dr. Chit Maung Library</b> have been doing well and in high demand as parents recognize the importance of English. These classes prepare students to take Cambridge English Language Assessment Test. Last year, all 74 students who took the test passed and 30% of them earned some distinctions! This year the teachers have added upper intermediate level totaling six classes. </li>
<li><b>The annual meeting for FOB Executive Committee</b> was held at Ft. Wayne, IN on July 15, 2017. Hosted by Neil and Diana, it was the first time the annual meeting was held outside of Phoenix, AZ. The meeting minutes will be made available on our website. </li>
<li><b>The Pathein-Myaungmya Sgaw Karen Baptist Association (PMSBA)</b> has a program that helps outstanding students in villages that only have elementary schools to continue middle and high schools. PMSBA offers these students an opportunity to study in Pathein and stay in a hostel. The program has been astonishingly successful with 78% of its students passing matriculation exam compared to 32% nationwide! It costs $300 each for these students to come to Pathein but the village and church chips in half. We have an opportunity to sponsor the other half.</li>
</ul>
<b>Giving is all about where your heart belongs</b>. Please take a moment to review a variety of exciting ministries below and pick one or two that touch your heart.<br />
<ul>
<li>Operating room at Matthew 25 Hospital: <b>$5,000</b></li>
<li>Support a team to teach mental health and counseling in refugee camp in Thailand: <b>$1,800</b></li>
<li>Electronic piano for Church Music Department in KBTS: <b>$1,200</b></li>
<li>Support a nursing student (per year): <b>$500</b></li>
<li>Sponsor two 5th graders from Bago Yoma to study in Thayawaddy (per student): <b>$300</b></li>
<li>Sponsor one orphan per year: <b>$360</b></li>
<li>Sponsor students in PMSBA program (see News and Updates for more): <b>$150</b></li>
<li>Kachin Internally Displaced Camps: <b>$50+</b></li>
<li>Alternative Christmas gift: <b>$50</b></li>
<li>Eye glasses per pair: <b>$17</b></li>
<li>Where There Is No Doctors (per book): <b>$5</b></li>
<li>Mosquito Nets: <b>$7</b></li>
</ul>
Your support of full amount or any portion would be a blessing. For more information, please visit us at <a href="http://friendsofburma.org/" target="_blank">friendsofburma.org</a>. Please write a check payable to <i>Friends of Burma</i> or <a href="http://friendsofburma.org/donate/" target="_blank">use Paypal or Razoo</a>. FOB is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and all donations are tax-deductible.<br />
<br />
<b>Do you know that</b> Friends of Burma has only one-paid staff in Burma? All the work in US is done by volunteers. The overhead cost is less than 2% of the total income! That makes FOB one of the lowest overhead costs among the non-profit organizations in the US. Your love gift goes straight to the beneficiaries!<br />
<br />
<b>Do you have a will?</b><br />
If not, consider the following risks associated with not having a will or estate plan.<br />
<ul>
<li>Your loved ones will have no control over the distribution of your assets once you are gone. The local court will decide how your assets should be divided.</li>
<li>In the court decision, no religious, educational, charitable or other philanthropic causes will be included. You will miss opportunities for charitable gift annuities and trusts that can benefit you during your life, as well as helping your favorite causes.</li>
<li>Taxes, expenses, and fees could substantially reduce your estate.</li>
</ul>
So, if you do not already have a will, perhaps it is time to start thinking. If you already have a will, please consider Friends of Burma in your future plan to continue your favorite programs or projects Please contact Neil or Diana at neildianasowards@juno.com for more information. For planned giving opportunities, you may also contact, American Baptist Foundation at abfadmin@abc-usa.org or visit <a href="http://abcofgiving.org/" target="_blank">http://abcofgiving.org/</a>.<br />
<br />
<strong>Friends of Burma, Inc.</strong> <em>548 Home Ave. Ft. Wayne, IN 46807</em><br />
<em>Tel. 260-745-3658, Email: president@friendsofburma.org<br />Website: <a href="http://friendsofburma.org/">http://friendsofburma.org</a>, Blog: <a href="http://blog.friendsofburma.org/">http://blog.friendsofburma.org</a></em><br />
<em>E-Newsletters: <a href="http://news.friendsofburma.org/">http://news.friendsofburma.org</a></em><br />
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</style>Lwin Moehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07744752229286096883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3863369074070826888.post-49437453555840749582017-05-20T18:57:00.000-04:002017-05-23T22:37:56.576-04:00Friends of Burma, Inc. Newsletter Spring 2017Over many years, Friends of Burma has been capably assisted by so many leaders who have given sacrificially to their people. One of these is Rev. Erville Porwy, whose several reports are in this newsletter. Rev. Erville (named for Neil’s father) has now come to retirement, and is handing over the leadership of PMSKBA (Pathein Myaungmya Sgaw Karen Baptist Association) to Thra Moo Ler Gay. We hope to have many years of cooperation and service under this new leadership. Best wishes to Rev. Erville for a happy and productive retirement.<br />
<h2>
Christmas Gifts</h2>
By the grace of God, FOB gave 8 alternative Christmas gifts. We appointed five people in Burma to choose someone to receive those gifts and here is one of the reports.<br />
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<strong>Saw Gaw Say</strong> lives in Tha Bye Kyine village, which was affected by Nargis Cyclone in 2008. He has skills in carpentry and fishing. He has five children, the elder two daughters are staying with their relatives as domestic workers. The younger 3 are attending the school at Primary school at their village.<br />
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He had made a good income by his daily fishing and carpenter work in the summer time. His wife has also done well preparing dry fish and prawns. Moreover, he also was able to make a house for his family by himself.<br />
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In June 2016, he suffered a serious disease and was hospitalized for a month. His wife was the main caregiver to the family. She also became sick, which lasted for about two weeks. Because of their illness, they could not survive without taking loans from a money lender. The interest rate of the loan was 10% per month. While both were sick in their beds, they had to use their money received through the loan. During the six-month period, they were unable to pay back their loan, and the interest rate became higher. Finally, the money lender came to their house and took all the parts of the house from the roof to the foundation. They were left with few materials for daily use, with no shelter. They had to live under the tree and use an old boat to keep their few things that have left. Under the tree was also their dining area. During the daytime, tree shade is their home and at night they sleep in their neighbor’s house. They have been staying that way for almost two months.<br />
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When visited, he shared his plan of building a new house before the rainy season for his family. He started saving money for his house but still needed more. So, I added some amount of money through the Christmas gift from FOB. That day was December 25th, Christmas day. His family members were very happy, especially his children, because this meant they would get a new home soon.<br />
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I was so happy and smiled with them too. I do believe that donors from FOB will gain happiness like this family for having a chance to give such a valuable gift on Christmas day to the poor and to those who really need it.<br />
<h2>
Cemetery Care</h2>
<em>By Naw Paw Gaw</em><br />
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In Yangon, we have Christian, Buddhist and Muslim Cemeteries. These places are close to each other. For our Karen Christian Cemetery, we have two, the old one is called Yay Way and the new one is Tain Bin. Now people are going only to the new one, but the old one is still visited by some people. So we have appointed responsible people to take care of it. These people live with their family in each related cemetery.<br />
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Every year, our association goes to our two cemeteries for worship service during Christmas time. During the Christmas program, Christmas gifts are given by some people to those who are serving at the cemetery. So for this year when some of the staff went there during Christmas time, I sent Christmas presents with them to the families who are living at all cemeteries.<br />
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As my husband was buried on 24th December 2012, Christmas Eve, I had to go to cemetery during Christmas at this time. However, now when nobody wants to go and celebrate Christmas with these people, some of our staff and friends went there. I added some amount of money and also a contribution from Friends of Burma Christmas gift and gave them as a Christmas present among the people at the cemetery. They are so happy and thankful to all people who give them present on Christmas. It’s also making me happy, and I do believe that Friends of Burma members will enjoy for helping in this way.<br />
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<h2>
Outstanding Student at Pathein, Ayeyawaddy Region</h2>
In review this program started back in 2004 with only 20 students. Currently, we have an average of 20 students per class at our 2 tutoring classes. In all of Myanmar about 30% pass the matriculation examination in an average every year. Since we opened this program, all of our students have passed this examination with the minimum of 60 % and the maximum of 81.48% every year. In the 2015-16 academic year, Naw Htar Htoo Paw passed the matriculation with six distinctions (All D). Last year Saw Win Htut Aye passed with five distinctions, and he is attending the MBBS second year course now. Naw Htar Htoo Paw also attends first year MBBS course. Saw Htay Aung, who is now a dental surgeon has passed matriculation from this program. Within ten years 197 students matriculated and 54 students passed with distinctions. As our two buildings are too small for lodging and class room, we are in need of another building and hostels.<br />
<h2>
Report from Chit Myit Tar Orphanage</h2>
Chit Myit Tar Orphanage Care Shelter wished for a new kitchen and sent FOB their wish list. In 2016, by God’s grace they could build a new kitchen for their shelter. Khun Thoe Yu, care director from the shelter said “Our dream has come true, we have dreamt for a new kitchen for more than five years. To all of you kind FOB donors, now our orphanage care students can eat things in a new building, and the supervisors can cook in a more efficient building.<br />
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Our children have experienced and benefited from your gifts. You give us so much love, and we cannot express our gratitude by any words. I would like to say, “Thank you, and wish you a peaceful and happy life forever.” Through you, God’s love reaches those children who are in difficulties and in need. We appreciate everything you have done for these children. We thank you very much for your generosity.”<br />
<h2>
Report of Matthew 25 Love</h2>
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By the grace of God our Pathein Myaungmya Sgaw Kayin Baptist Association Matthew 25 Love Clinic has existed more than 20 years and has been beneficial to all patients regardless of race and religion. For the pastors and those who cannot afford the medical expenses it is free of charge (FOC). We applied to the government to promote our clinic to the hospital level, and one of the requirements is to have ample space for operations. Our present operation theatre is small and does not meet the requirement standard. We intend to build a new building which will include theatre office, etc. May I request the FOB to financially support the construction of this building?<br />
<h2>
The Myo Mission Report</h2>
<em>By Erville Porwy</em><br />
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Pathein Myaungmya Sgaw Kayin Baptist Association has launched our Myo mission work among the Myo People in Rakine State since 1989 and in 2008 the Myo can establish Myo Baptist Association under the umbrella of Karen Baptist Convention. In 2008 also, the Myo Association opened the Myo Bible School in Sittwe, Rakhine State. At present, the Myo association had 20 churches, 20 mission fields and about 4000 baptized members. More than 40 Myo students graduated from Bible Schools and universities. Kyaw Myat has started translating the Bible in the Myo Language and has not finished yet. Some Myo children and young people are still coming to PMSKBA to pursue education. Two Myo students graduated at Pathein University and attended M.Div (Master of Divinity) course at Ko Tha Byu Theological Seminary, Pathein. Another Myo will join M.Div course at KTS next year once he graduates from Pathein University. Maung Nge, another Myo has passed his matriculation at Pathein, and he is now attending his final year at Pathein University. Ten Myo students have now come to study at Kaw Lei Lu village, Laputta area, but two of them went back to their respective village. Another two Myo young people came and lived at TaGuSeik village and attended school there. Maung Maung San another young Myo, graduated from Pathein University, and with the arrangement of Rev.Dr. Honor Nyo attended Bible Institute at Singapore and received his diploma degree, and he is now teaching at Myo Bible School at Sittwe, Rakine State. Due to economic hardship and poverty, many Myo families had to migrate to other places. About (30) families of Myo People are settled near the Thai border, and they live there as a Myo Christian community, built a church and have their own pastor.<br />
<h2>
Lily Flower Micro Credit Group</h2>
<em>By Naw Paw Gaw</em><br />
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We started our group on May 7th and we have 8 female and 1 male member in the group. We live in Shwe Bon Hsu village, Bago Division.<br />
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We have decided to save money twice in a year because we don’t have a regular monthly income. So we save 6000 kyats for 6 months for each member. We have received 300,000 Kyats from FOB and we add that with the group saving money. We all agree that loan service charges will be 3% per month. We started with an initial pay loan of, 40000 Kyats for each and within 2 years the loan to members is to increase to 110,000 Kyats for each.<br />
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Apart from the primary benefits of each member, we have a purpose to help the needy and the sick people through providing financial support from the benefit of the members. Our group has divided the group collected money as reasonable personage into loan amount to members, contribution for helping people, honorarium to group leader and meeting expenses. From May 2014 to 2016 May, we got a total amount of revolving fund is more than 1,000,000 Ks.<br />
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We would like to share about 3 members for success story:<br />
<h3>
Naw Julia</h3>
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I am a mother of 2 children who are attending middle school and my husband is a farmer. We don’t have much paddy field and I have to work my own ways for my family needs. I have a mini grocery shop at home but it did not give me enough profit to support our needs, after I received a loan from the group, I could invest more to my grocery shop to gain more profit.<br />
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As the first loan started from 43,000 kyats I could add only a few things to my grocery stock, but after the loan amount increased, I could add more things to the grocery and also open a shop of ice-lollies, ice-scrape and juice (from local food). As the income from our paddy field has only a one time in a year income, the grocery and ice shop provide us enough profit for my family needs and especially for my two kids. I could give back my service charges of the loan regularly and received more loans from my group. I’ve enjoyed my 2 shops and I do believe that one day I can rebuild my house which will be better than our present house.<br />
<h3>
Naw Say Khu</h3>
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I am a widow and although I have children, they are grown and are staying with their own families and live a little far from my house. My children support me sometimes but it’s not enough for me. I don’t want to ask them for my need because they are also struggling for their family. After I become a member of Lily group, I took a first loan of 43,000 kyats .First, I bought a pregnant sow and I fed her with my other saved money. After 3 months, I got 15 piglets from the sow! After 1.5-2 month of piglets I could sell them each at a cost of 40,000-50,000 kyats. Now I can sell the second group of piglets. From the income of selling piglets, I can save some for my new house, food for pigs and other things which I have to use. Sometime my son in-law and my daughter visit me and help me when I need them. I thank FOB for encouraging us through this micro finance group. From this activity, I have not only received financial support but also psychological empowerment in my old age.<br />
<h3>
Saw Hegramoe</h3>
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I am the only male member in micro credit group. I have 5 family members, myself, my wife and my 3 children who are attending middle and high school. Usually people used to tell me that I love to work and that I’m always thinking about work. My main business is buying and selling rural products from village to city. My products are depended on the weather and the season. Buying eels, fish, chicken and ducks from the villagers and selling them with a profit to the city. Sometimes I buy eggs from house to house then after collecting it all, I carry them to sell in urban places.<br />
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Sometimes I do not have enough money to buy products so I lose profit from it. After I joined the micro credit group, I received more capital to buy more products. So I gained more profit and could save more money. I also have an old motorcycle I use to carry my goods and sometimes I use it for carrying passengers for more income. But it is in disorder often and it will be dangerous for me. So I have decided to buy a new one and I have started to save the money to buy the new bicycle. Now I will save money to buy the new motorcycle and at the same time I could provide some needs for my family members.<br />
<h2>
Agape Orphanage Project</h2>
A brief history of our project, back in the 80’s, many children were left homeless and parentless due to the civil war that was ongoing in the country. The children of the Kayah State, especially those in the border areas were most affected. Their relatives could not take care of them so they came to Rev. Richard Thawt, the Pastor of the Loikaw Baptist Church, and asked for help. The Reverend conferred this matter with the church elders and committee members and, as a result, a decision was made to establish the project.<br />
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We are continuing the good work which the late Reverend had left us in helping the orphans and, of course with much help from donors like you. We deposit all the donations we receive in the bank and use only the interest that is gained annually from it to support the children with their livelihood and education. Our goal is to provide the orphans with the basic education as well as higher education if they pass the matric exam. So far, only two orphans have passed the matric exam and joined the university. One has graduated from Loikaw University, specializing in Chemistry. She´s already working and can stand on her own feet now. Many thanks to the donors. Another one is still pursuing her education, specializing in Physics.<br />
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Many children who arrive at the orphanage lack the basic education which they should have acquired in their previous grades. As a result, they find it hard to pass the matric exam, and as a result, they quickly lose hope after two or three attempts and don´t want to continue their studies anymore. For those kind of children, we help them attend a vocational training course that they find interesting. We support them until they can earn their living and, when they are old enough to get married, we support them as much as we can. Some who have left the orphanage always keep in touch with their mother church and visit us when they have the time. They come back and admonish their younger brothers and sisters to work hard in their studies. The results of the previous academic year are due to be out on the 23rd of this month.<br />
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The committee is doing its best to bring up the children physically, mentally and spiritually. Please remember us and the children in your prayers. We´re very thankful to God for such kind and generous donors like you who are interested and sympathetic enough to help the poor children.<br />
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May God grant you and your family manifold blessings as you continue to serve Him through the Agape Orphanage Project.<br />
<h2>
Htee Moo Lu Women Group</h2>
This women group has organized in November first week of 2016.The group has 20 members and all of them are from the village of Htee Moo Lu in Delta area which is also one of the Cyclone affected villages.<br />
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This group regularly meets every month of last week of Friday at 7 PM. At this meeting the members come and collect the saving money and also loan interest. During the meeting they also have chance to discuss and sharing about their future business among the members. Though they get small amount for loan they add with their own capital and run their own business.<br />
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I would like to send reports on some members who are running their small business by their own ways at their village.<br />
<h3>
Naw Seit Paw</h3>
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She has 4 family members and her children are students. They don’t have their own paddy field and her husband works as a daily wager in the village. She has raised few chicken and pig. She also has small grocery at her house and sometimes she also sells vegetables with grocery. From the loan she could invest her grocery to get more profit.<br />
<h3>
Naw Dwa Nar Paw</h3>
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She is single and she has 4 siblings. Her father is carpenter and her 3 siblings are working as helpers at a small restaurant at a city. She is only one who stays with her parents at home and takes care of her parents. As she is still young she wants to make income while she is helping her parents at home. She takes loan from the group and buys 2 piglets and raises it. She has just started her business but has a good plan for her future small business.<br />
<h2>
Translation Project</h2>
FOB gave the book, “Where There Is No Doctor” to the graduates of four schools that train Village Health Workers. Several years ago we translated and printed 2,000 books of “Where There Is No Dentist”. We are now having ten schools and several doctors evaluate two books, “Where There Is No Psychiatrist” and “Where There Is No Child Psychiatrist” to see if they should be translated, printed and distributed. Burma, like all places, have mental illness particularly depression, alcohol addiction, drug addiction, and anxiety. If our panel decides the books are useful enough to translate, the cost is $6 per page. Total cost of the project including printing books is estimated to be $15,000.<br />
<h2>
Wish List</h2>
<ul>
<li>Sponsor an outstanding student in Pathein (student’s family contributes bags of rice.): <strong>$100</strong></li>
<li>Travel expenses for Naw Paw Gaw to oversee MicroCredit groups: <strong>$200</strong></li>
<li>Sponsor a Microcredit Women’s Group. Helps 12 to 16 women to earn money for their families: <strong>$300</strong></li>
<li>Sponsor a teacher, Naw Kalu Paw in Late Pote Village: <strong>$200/year</strong></li>
<li>Sponsor an orphan or needy child: <strong>$360/year</strong></li>
<li>Expand the operating room at Matthew 25 Love Hospital in Pathein, Burma: <strong>Any amount</strong></li>
<li>Translating and printing ‘Where there is No Psychiatrist” and “Where There is No Child Psychiatrist”: <strong>$15,000</strong></li>
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<em>This newsletter was compiled by Saw Htaw Htoo, May Thet and Neil & Diana Sowards.</em><br />
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<strong>Friends of Burma, Inc.</strong> <em>548 Home Ave. Ft. Wayne, IN 46807</em><br />
<em>Tel. 260-745-3658, Email: president@friendsofburma.org<br />Website: <a href="http://friendsofburma.org/">http://friendsofburma.org</a>, Blog: <a href="http://blog.friendsofburma.org/">http://blog.friendsofburma.org</a></em><br />
<em>E-Newsletters: <a href="http://news.friendsofburma.org/">http://news.friendsofburma.org</a></em>Lwin Moehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07744752229286096883noreply@blogger.com