Here we go again.  Tomorrow evening six of us are heading to Myanmar.  This will be my 9th time taking teams and Alie’s 4th time.  As we get make the final preparations for our trip I just wanted to thank everyone for their continued and amazing support of the ministry we get to be a part of in Myanmar.  Over the years we’ve taken almost 40 people to Myanmar and donated computers, medical supplies, musical instruments, food, money, field trips for the orphans, and tons of other resources to our friends in this impoverished nation.

None of this would be possible if it weren’t for the amazing community here in the States.  Churches like CrossWinds, SMCC, and others have supported us in huge ways.  Hundreds of individuals have donated their money, time, and heart to help our friends in Myanmar.  Getting a front row seat to all of this and seeing just how generous you have been has been one of the most humbling experiences of my life.  This year was no different as we were able to raise an unbelievable amount of funds and gifts that will make a huge difference in the lives of our friends in Myanmar.

This year, in addition to raising all the trip costs for 6 people to travel to Myanmar, supporters and believers in the cause contributed to making a difference in Myanmar in these ways:
-Over $2,000 to be donated to the orphanage (this will go to rice, clothes, school supplies, medical expenses, etc.)
-$500 to scholarship one the orphan’s school expenses
-$500 for Church ministry expenses in Myanmar (building repairs, music equipment etc)
– 2 Portable computers that will be used for the orphanage and ministry leaders
-2 Smart phones to be used by local leaders to better serve their community
-5 sets of nice clothes to be distributed to the community
-20-30 small gifts of toys and crafts for the orphans
Trust me when I say that these donations will be a tremendous blessing to our friends in Myanmar.

In case we didn’t get the chance to tell you in person, THANK YOU for this.  There are no words to express the gratitude we feel for your support.

We are so excited to go back to Myanmar to see our friends and family.  We’re also excited for the future opportunity to make an even larger impact in Myanmar.  In case you haven’t heard, we’re working on starting a non-profit called Bridges Myanmar that will continue and increase this work.  We’d love your prayers for us as we proceed with this.

Most significant to our partnership has been the friendship we’ve been privileged to have.  Because of the consistent nature of our friendship, we’ve gotten to see them grow and change and they’ve gotten to see us grow and change.  For almost 10 years we’ve been creating memories and doing our best to be a blessing in one another’s lives.  They know our names, and we know theirs.  This year’s trip may be particularly difficult for us because one of our close friends, who was a young leader and all around amazing dude suddenly passed away.  His name was Bo Bo.  He was about 21 years old.  His family is one of the pillars of the community and it has no doubt been a tough year for everyone.  Thinking about not seeing Bo Bo this year brings tears.  I’m not sure why his life was shortened.  I don’t understand why we get to live here, in a place with healthcare and doctors, and he didn’t.  Certainly we’re not worthy of what we’ve been given.  If you’re the praying type, please pray for Bo Bo’s family and his church community.  We hope to bring them some sort of encouragement, some how.

Bo Bo on the Left, Sawyer in between Alie and I.

“So we are always confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies we are not at home with the Lord.  For we live by believing and not by seeing.  Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord.” – 2 Corinthians 5:6-8