Myanmar heroin inlineIn Tamu, Myanmar, public immorality and crime are rampant, but at-risk children have hope through the ministry of Nang Za Thawn. He sends the following letter:

I am delighted to tell you what the Lord is doing in and through our lives here in this needy land of Myanmar. I am pastoring the Evangelical Baptist Church in Tamu, which is situated on the northwest border of Myanmar (Burma) and India, and is very close to a little Indian town called Moreh. Tamu is one of the principal trade routes of Myanmar; its strategic location makes it the mecca of trade between Myanmar and India. Being one of the busiest commercial
cities of the country, the town derives its income from the transport of products from China, Thailand, Korea, and Taiwan to India and vice-versa. It is also the main route through which the heroin product of the Golden Triangle area is exported to the West.

Besides the residential populations, many traders come in and go out every day. Public immoralities are rampant among this population. All sorts of crimes can be seen in the town. Many children are orphaned, abandoned, and even unwanted by parents. Juvenile delinquency is a key problem in all families. Parents go off to make money, leaving the children behind. Drugs, alcohol, and HIV have killed many. For this reason, we make every effort to rescue the children who are at risk.

The importance of ministry to children and young people cannot be overestimated. They are the potential church of tomorrow. We began working with preschool kids in 1989. Parents go out to make money and the kids are always left at home. God has honored our efforts, and some 1,300 kids have been under our training. We are glad to see some have become great men and women of God. At the moment, we are training 50 preschool kids at our daycare center. Three volunteers work at our daycare center. This is the first step of our ministry to the vision we have been praying about.

The Lord led us to take care of at-risk-children in 2003. We began working with orphans by rescuing four street children. The need is so great that within a decade, the Lord has entrusted 42 orphans into our care. My family and I, along with three volunteers, live with them. The oldest boy completed the ThB and currently is a missionary to the unreached in our area. The oldest girl has recently completed the BA course at the Kalay University, majoring in geography. We have three matriculation students this year. It is a joy for each of our church members to see them grow physically and to see them grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

We hold evangelistic camps, Bible seminars, and crusades in various places of this area. The Lord has answered our prayers and honored our efforts. Nothing is sweeter than seeing a soul coming to faith in Jesus. This land badly needs Jesus.

Together we can accomplish more for the Lord,

In His service,

Nang Za Thawn
Tamu Valley Baptist Association
Tamu, Myanmar