Today I spent time with a young missionary named James. He and his wife are from Burma. They are missionaries to unreached people groups in both Burma and the U.S. He has an amazing story and God is moving through his work in a powerful way. In the past year since he arrived here, he has baptized over 100 people who have accepted Christ.
I am sharing a small piece of his story here so that you can “meet” him. A year ago they came to America for some training never expecting to stay, but through various circumstances in their lives God has shown them that He wanted them to plant here. They are currently seeking asylum from the U.S. government.
I want to share something that should shake you a little. I know it did me. As James and his wife seek to raise support for their missionary journey, they have been faced with a lot of closed doors. Some of the reasons...“we have to take care of our own church members first” and “we already have a missionary.” I have to tell you that those words struck me deeply. As I have shared in previous blog posts, growing up in a missionary home myself, I have seen many roasts that were meant to feed five people multiplied to feed two full families. I don't think we can out-give God. He replenishes the supply as we pour out.
While sometimes discouraged, James and his family know that they can trust the God who has been faithful to them. Until the government grants asylum, they cannot obtain work permits so they are literally trusting God for every morsel. And yet God continues to show Himself trustworthy. Would you like to guess who has been supporting them throughout this past year? Men and women who still live in Burma. In Burma, one hundred dollars is about one month’s wages. In America many people spend that eating out over the weekend, or for a new pair of shoes, or tickets to a concert. And yet, we cannot take on one more missionary?
I am tempted to say “shame on us.” But some of the people who read this blog already give more than they have in their pockets to meet the needs of those around the world. So rather than a wagging finger, I am going to ask you to got to the JMA website and take a look around. (link below) Maybe you could help him build a new building for the orphanage he established outside of Yangon. Or perhaps you would like to help him train native missionaries to go into the remote areas of Burma where no one else can go. Or maybe you might want to support he and his wife as they continue to make disciples here in Clarkston.
Even if you can only pray – you will open the floodgates of heaven with those prayers. Or even if you can only share the link to James’ website – you may connect him with someone who has a heart to see him keep on doing what he is doing.
Thank you for taking time to pray for James and his wife and children. Thank you to James for letting me share his journey with you.
If you can’t go … would you be willing to support those of us who can?
My passion for His purpose,
Becky
Click on this link or on either of the pictures to go to the JMA Ministries page. http://www.jmaministries.org/