Some people will tell you that visiting another country is always a pleasure but living in another country is a completely different experience. That is so true.
The experience of living in a developing country is rarely documented by the press with accuracy. Would you like to know how most people live in Myanmar? Over the next 10 minutes as you continue reading this blog post, you're going to see the side of Myanmar that you don't see on TV.
Before you look at the photos below, the author would like to ask you a question.
Just out of interest, do you have a local council that collects the rubbish on your street every week?
Most people in Myanmar don't have the luxury of a council waste collection and so, the rubbish accumulates for miles, almost as far as the eye can see.
The author would like to ask you some questions about your dwelling.
Do you have a roof over your head that provides shelter against the elements?
Does your dwelling come with window-locks and locked doors for security?
Did you know that many people in Myanmar live in tents?
Please review the pictures below.
But not everybody has a roof over their heads. In the two photos below you will see three children who live on the street. They have no home and no education.
Very poor families live like this
Many people have been affected by flooding
Did you know that people use that water for drinking and cooking?
Interestingly enough, some people catch fish from dirty puddles of stagnant rain water, right next to where they live.
Money, housing, food and clean water are challenges that so many people face every day in Myanmar but that's not all. Have a look at the conditions of the road below.
Along the streets you don't have to go very far to find a homeless child rummaging through the trash. In the two photos below you will see a child looking for items of value that he can sell for food.
Having a private shower in a bathroom which has a locked door and translucent glass windows is another luxury item that so many people living in first world countries take for granted. Below is a series of photos of boys having an outdoor shower together.
Now that you know what it's really like to live in Myanmar, it's time to do something about it.
The Mission2Myanmar will do everything it can to relieve the suffering of so many needy people living in Myanmar by providing...
...but we can't do this without your help. If you would like to donate, please click here.
In a recent phone conversation between Paul and Pastor David Ling over Facebook Messenger, Pastor David indicated that there is a new building on his block of land which is still under construction.
To learn more about this project, please read Pastor David’s email and then, you can review the photo gallery below.
Dear Brother Paul,
I hope you'll be thrilled to see the pictures. Children are very happy to see the progress of their new home every day. This is the first building with bricks and iron to make it strong and safe for the children to stay in. The agreement between the contractor and I is that he should properly complete this building and hand it over to me by the end of March 2018.
The other equipment that we'll need to have after completion of the construction work are
At the moment I don't know the cost of all that I mentioned just above. I'll inquire the shops or people who know the prices and let you know later. My prayer and plan is that this new building must be well-equipped for ready use before the new academic year begins in June 2018. We expect 40 children to stay in this new building from the new academic year 2018-2019.
Thank you for standing with us in love in action. May the Lord help you and your team members to stand strong with us in building people of next generation leadership for the nation and the kingdom of God. This generation is our responsibility. Jesus' Last Command is our First Concern! I strongly believe you have heard from God "a Macedonian Call" for Myanmar.
Together in His amazing service,
Ps David Ling
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Rev. Dr. David Ling
Founder/President
Myanmar Institute of Mission & Research
Yangon, Myanmar
In relation to Pastor David’s email, the team at Mission2Myanmar will pray for the completion of the building in a timely manner. However, there is another prayer request from Pastor David which was communicated to Paul over the phone. Pastor David wants to obtain official permission from the Myanmar Government to open a private school, in the new building.
In the future the team at Mission2Myanmar will circulate messages from Pastor David to our members by email. If you would like to keep up to date with the latest developments in Myanmar, please consider becoming a member. For more information about membership, please click here.
Here is the photo gallery.
There were so many clothes from so many different people; Paul managed to fill two bags during his trip to Sydney for business and family commitments.
Ryan from Operation 513 returned to Myanmar in late January 2018 and in the photo below, you can see Ryan handing over the two bags to Pastor David.
Below is a video which Pastor David took to express his gratitude for this gift.
If you were one of the many donors who donated to this project, on behalf of the Mission2Myanmar, thank you very much for your generosity and may God bless you!
If you missed out, there is no need for alarm. There will be more short-term mission trips to Myanmar in the not too distant future and you can always donate your kids’ clothes. For more information please visit the Projects page.
Here's one more video clip of the kids forming an assembly outside the dormitories. If you look carefully below their uniforms (the white tops), you will realise that they're actually wearing the donated clothes below the uniform.
Do you celebrate Independence Day in your country? Not every country has an Independence Day.
Myanmar has an Independence Day which occurs in early January. It is observed by many people living in Myanmar every year.
Below is a video clip which marks the 70th anniversary of Myanmar's independence. The video footage was taken by Pastor David Ling in January 2018.
The children living at the orphanage observed Independence Day which was followed by a sports carnival.
How did you celebrate Christmas last year?
Did you know that Christmas celebrations in your home country are somewhat different to Christmas 2017 in Myanmar? To find out why please take a look at the photos and videos below.
David preaching Jesus at Christmas celebration in Ukkan Town of Yangon Region
After hearing about Jesus on Christmas Day, many Buddhists were waiting for lunch to be served
After lunch everybody was invited to participate or spectate in a bamboo climbing competition
