Zoom Provides New Avenue for Communication with Thailand and Myanmar
As the Asia Pacific Area Director for the Advent Christian General Conference, I had the privilege to share in two special Zoom meetings in one day. The first meeting included some of our ladies’ ministry leaders from here in North America, and Maeo Middlewood along with the young ladies of Christian Mission Ban Naratchakwai (CMN) in Thailand. That same night, I “zoomed” with the four leaders from the Advent Christian Conference of Myanmar.
It was a joy to witness our women’s ministry leaders as they saw and talked with the CMN leadership team face to face. Who would have thought 30 years ago that God would give us these types of communication opportunities today? We were able to see a series of slides showing different aspects of CMN’s property and ministry.
During the meeting, we learned that Ban Naratchakwai (the area where CMN is located) has recently lifted their coronavirus travel restriction. This means that the CMN ministry team can now meet in person after weeks of only being able to communicate by phone. These young ladies shared some ways the virus has impacted them and their families. In turn, they asked our leaders what impact they have experienced here in North America because of the virus. A highlight of the Zoom meeting was when one of the CMN young ladies offered prayer for our women’s ministry leaders and the work of ACGC here in North America.
Meeting with Myanmar AC Conference Leaders
The Zoom meeting with the leaders in Myanmar was the first time that the four leaders have come together by computer. They all shared that the shelter in place orders by their government will remain in effect until the end of June. This continues to prevent their church groups from coming together for worship. However, since each of the Myanmar leaders operates and lives at orphanages, they are able to hold worship services for those living on the compounds. They are also holding Bible studies and prayer times on a daily basis. Three of the four ministries have building projects underway to improve their orphan care and also their Bible and ministry training programs.
Pastor David expressed gratitude to God, to the Advent Christian people for our prayers and to ACGC for the medical assistance provided for treating his burned feet. He is doing much better and has resumed his full ministry responsibilities. These men also shared that one unexpected challenge from the virus has been an increase in food costs. Their orphanage food bills have risen by almost 40 percent.
They have expressed a desire to make Zoom meetings a monthly part of their schedules. We closed the meeting with a time of prayer. As we prayed together, they expressed their appreciation for the prayers of the Advent Christian people in North America, but their prayer did not stop there, like the young lady from Thailand, they each offered prayers for us in North America.
Submitted by Asia Pacific Area Director