Doug and I want to share the reasons behind our decision to take an exploratory trip to Myanmar in January 2015. We still love and will be serving here in the Baja in the future, but know that God has opened a door to be involved with friends in another ministry dear to our hearts. We have had a dream of going to Myanmar someday and our faithful God has let that dream become a reality.
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| Doug and I with CHE group in the Philipines |
This story begins with our trip in 2010 to participate in an internship
training in the Philippines with a ministry called CHE (Community Health
Evangelism). The mission of CHE was in alignment with what the Holy
Spirit had been speaking in our hearts regarding missions. Little did we
know we would make friends with people from all over the world who had
those same desires.
Four of those friends were involved in a ministry in Myanmar ( Burma) a country we knew little about other than the movie “The King and I.” Joana (Director of ACM) who God called to begin this ministry ( her story can be found on their website http://www.asianchildrensmission.org/ ), Joel, Josiah, and Mary (she and her husband have a new ministry in Yangon). Their love for Jesus was overwhelming and inspiring.
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| Left to Right: The ACM Staff (Josiah Joana, Joel), Josiah (Coordinator for Ministry to Orphans) wife Phoebe and 3 sons, Joel (Community Development Coordinator) wife Nangram and 3 sons, Joana (Director of ACM) |
"The
care, protection and education of vulnerable children in Myanmar
(Burma) is the primary mission of Asian Children’s Mission. Our work is
an outgrowth of the command of Jesus given in Mark 10:14: "Let the
little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of
God belongs to such as these." ~Asian Children's Mission
Here is a little info from the Asian Children's Mission website:
We practice holistic Christian ministry where we do not make a false distinction between the spiritual and physical needs of children. Our work with children is specifically expressed in educational initiatives, orphan care and community development. The first and most enduring ministry of Asian Children’s Mission is the care of orphans. Reliable statistics are hard to come by, but there are thousands of highly vulnerable children in the country.
Without intervention, these vulnerable children face many dangers. They
may be forced into armed conflict, carrying weapons and other supplies.
Child labor is common in the country. Some are sold to human
traffickers. Some simply die of disease or malnutrition.
Christian community development is based on the Scriptural foundation that the abundant Christian life includes the physical as well as the spiritual — that it is, in fact, God’s will for people to NOT live in continuous want and ignorance.
The holistic ministry of Christian community development weaves together the physical and spiritual, giving both individuals and communities the knowledge and skills to grow in both these areas. Our first community development projects were our “safe water” programs. Safe water means less suffering and death from water borne diseases.
The holistic ministry of Christian community development weaves together the physical and spiritual, giving both individuals and communities the knowledge and skills to grow in both these areas. Our first community development projects were our “safe water” programs. Safe water means less suffering and death from water borne diseases.
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| Myanmar Community Development Center |
Our latest project is the development of the Myanmar Community Development Center. This will be a teaching center located near Yangon. Part of the grounds will be devoted to sustainable, small scale agriculture. Farmers will be invited to learn animal husbandry and integrated farming. Courses on practical nursing will be offered, focusing on wellness and disease prevention, training health educators to go back into their home communities, armed with knowledge that can save lives, especially of the weak and most vulnerable.
We expect the Myanmar Community Development Center to be a place of rich fellowship and good food. It will be a safe place to learn what it means to be a disciple of Jesus, with spiritual applications made alongside the physical lessons. It will be the place of new beginnings, as trained indigenous workers return to their communities to teach as they have been taught.
Our plan as of right now is to fly to Myanmar in mid Jan. on a 10 week exploratory trip and then if all are in agreement that this is God's plan for us we will return in a few months for one year with funds raised and arrangements in place on the homefront. Linda will be developing a curriculum for a Practical Nursing Program and Doug will be helping in the implementing of that and sharing his skills in business, proposals,etc.
We are so thankful for the emotional support our kids and grandchildren are showing and that of our friends. Please pray for wisdom, protection and that we will have the financial support we need.
If you feel God is leading you to help us either with monthly support or a one time donation checks can be written to:
CapStone Foundation and mailed to Doug Pettit, 223 Town Center Pkwy #730, Spring Hill, Tn 37174.
If you have any questions please email us at dougpettit45@gmail.com.
Blessings,
Doug and Linda
