Saturday 13th April started as any normal Saturday for me, until mid-morning when I received a call from Erin Kerber. She explained that she was travelling to Thailand on Monday to attend the LCA International Mission-sponsored Lutheran Women’s Biblical Life Conference held for the women of the Federation of Lutheran Churches in Myanmar. The intentioned […]
Saturday 13th April started as any normal Saturday for me, until mid-morning when I received a call from Erin Kerber. She explained that she was travelling to Thailand on Monday to attend the LCA International Mission-sponsored Lutheran Women’s Biblical Life Conference held for the women of the Federation of Lutheran Churches in Myanmar. The intentioned guest presenter was sick, so Erin was ringing on the off chance that I would fill in. After much wrestling with why I could go and why I should stay home and time spent in prayer, I decided to place my trust in God and go.
Postponed for several years due to COVID-19, the conference was also moved from its planned location in Myanmar due to political and social unrest and was held at the Lutheran Seminary in Bangkok, Thailand. While I was out of my comfort zone, so too were many of the women who came from Myanmar, as they also had not travelled to another country before.
Each day, women from the four synods led devotions, prayers and singing. We gathered around God’s word and discussed topics such as understanding the gospel, our identity in Christ, suffering in conflict, and understanding the idols of our hearts. There was also much discussion around reconciling relationships and the guidance God has for us. The women appreciated being led into the word of God and how it applied to their lives.
Many of the women shared their pain from living in a war-torn country and their fears for the future, especially due to the impending compulsory conscription for males aged 18-35. This will affect many of their families, but also the country of Myanmar, as many young people are fleeing to other countries to escape the possibility of serving the military.
It was inspiring and uplifting to witness the women sharing their faith in God and to watch them relax and be free from the fear of war for just a few days. Some expressed sadness about returning to Myanmar because with war comes insecurity for things like electricity and food supplies. Some sleep with vital items packed in case they have to flee during the night.
While in Thailand, we also visited Immanuel Lutheran church, where we were informed about the music program and where four of the students performed a few songs for us with stringed instruments. Following this, we visited Home of Praise, a day nursery in the slums of Bangkok that cares for up to 40 children aged between 6 months and 4 years. This care gives the parents opportunities to go back to work to support their families. Following this, we walked through some of the alleyways of the slums to see the living conditions. This is something I have only witnessed on television, so seeing it firsthand was an eye-opener.
I am so grateful and feel very blessed to attend this conference- even at short notice- and lead the women in the study of God’s word. It has encouraged me in my faith and being able to meet more of my extended Christian family will stay with me for a long time.
Many of our partner churches are working in new territory for the kingdom of God; therefore, spiritual attack is their everyday reality. As a member of a congregation, school, or family, or a couple or individual, you are invited to commit to praying for our partners in mission. For regular prayer point updates, go to www.lca.org.au/international-mission/act-now/pray
Read more stories about our partner churches in Myanmar at https://www.lcamission.org.au/category/stories/international-partners/myanmar/
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