House of Glory Dedication & Celebration

Friday, March 25, 2022 was a monumental day in the life of each member of House of Glory Church in Myanmar. For the members, it marked the moment in time when they offered the beautiful and multipurpose House of Glory Center back to the Lord, with their recounting of the miraculous provision and timing of God over the past three years. 

The building was finished just weeks before the start of the military coup, which began on February 1, 2021. COVID swept through the nation after this in several terrible waves. In the midst of dark and terrifying times, the Lord raised up a lighthouse of peace, beauty and blessing for this area.

The hymn in the video is one that many of you will know, but sung in Burmese by church members as a proclamation of worship and the intent of God for the people in the hearing of their voices, in addition to the unseen powers. “To God Be The Glory, Great Things He Has Done” by Fanny Crosby, what a perfect way to welcome the people in. Here are the lyrics:

To God be the glory, great things He hath done,

So loved He the world that He gave us His Son,

Who yielded His life an atonement for sin,

And opened the life-gate that all may go in.

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,

Let the earth hear His voice;

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,

Let the people rejoice;

Oh, come to the Father, through Jesus the Son,

And give Him the glory; great things He hath done.

Oh, perfect redemption, the purchase of blood,

To every believer the promise of God;

The vilest offender who truly believes,

That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.

Great things He hath taught us, great things He hath done,

And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son;

But purer, and higher, and greater will be

Our wonder, our transport when Jesus we see.

The children of House of Glory offered songs and recited scripture. Two teams of ladies designed their own special clothing and presented worshipful dances to honor the Living God who invaded the darkness and sent His Son to save us. Pastor David shared many testimonies of the Lord’s faithfulness before He dedicated the building to the Glory of God. 

The community members who attended the dedication experienced an open house and explanation of the facility with its lending library and soccer training for youth, plus a chance to visit the worship center/meeting hall, which will also serve the community for weddings and special gatherings if they desire. Some people remarked they felt a deep sense of peace they had never experienced.

After the service, a bountiful meal was served to all who attended by a joyful volunteer team of cooks and servers. As part of the overflow of blessing into the neighborhood and region during the week of dedication, teams supplied hundreds of people with fresh chicken and staples. 

Pastor David learned during this time that many more refugees had fled to an area nearby to escape being shot by airplanes after their villages were burned. He and teams offered medicine, staples, light blankets and a Burmese Bible to anyone desiring one. They shared that they had not had anything to smile about in 14 months. We are learning from our brothers and sisters in Myanmar that when the blessing of God is bestowed, the entire community is to be lifted and enriched as a demonstration of the love of God.

We can only stand amazed at the beauty of the body of Christ and the privilege of being connected by the Holy Spirit to see the light and love of Jesus Christ embrace the people of Myanmar. Thank you for praying and giving. To God be the glory, great things He has done.

A Golden Opportunity in Myanmar, the Golden Land

So many times, we ask God to bless what we are doing for Him. This is a fine prayer and God is gracious. Over the decades, though, we are learning to seek an awareness of what God is initiating and to ask Him, “How can we participate in what You are doing, Lord?”

We sincerely believe we have such an open door in Myanmar right now. 

Two weeks ago, Pastor David met with 20 families staying with relatives in the farmland near his city. They fled four areas of Myanmar where the military coup soldiers burned their houses and crops, shot some family members and stole their farm animals. The area near David’s city is in less turmoil (at least for now), since it is the seat of military training for the nation. 

Thanks to a gift designated for benevolence, we were able to add to it and supply basic food, blankets and evangelistic Bibles to these weary and heartbroken pilgrims. A few of the families are Christian, but most are Buddhist. They received the supplies and the Bibles with thanks and amazement that someone would care for them in this hour. Several people were eating only rice soup to sustain themselves. They also graciously received the Bibles and began reading, most for the first time in their lives.

Pastor David’s teams will keep in touch with them, knowing more families will likely follow. These are desperate times for Myanmar, but our God loves to extend His love and salvation in desperate times, doesn’t He? 

In light of this golden opportunity, would you prayerfully consider investing in food, blankets and more evangelistic Bibles to share with these displaced and disoriented people fleeing their homes? To meet these needs over the next few months and supply Bibles for outreach for 14 evangelists mentored by Pastor David, we are asking the Lord to supply $9,500. We thank God for teams of willing and Holy Spirit-empowered workers demonstrating the love of Jesus while meeting these basic human needs. 

Thank you for praying into this situation and for being open to giving. Your generosity and faithfulness continue to be an encouragement not only to us, but to our brothers and sisters in Myanmar. Let’s embrace this golden opportunity and see what God will do to extend His kingdom!

Thank you for your prayers and support. What an honor to have a small part in God’s great story.

We love you,

Jim and Nancy

2021 Recap

While we have much to be grateful for this year, there have also been many challenges in the nations where we serve. But God has been faithful and your gifts have helped provide so much light in the midst of darkness.

See what kind of impact we’ve had in the countries we serve.

And make sure you don’t miss Jim and Nancy’s Christmas update.

Myanmar

A Most Difficult Year

There was a military takeover of the nation on February 1, 2021. Hundreds of elected officials were put in prison where they remain. Unarmed protesters were gunned down and whole villages have been burned causing villagers to flee into the jungles.

There were also COVID-19 surges. Over 300 Christian pastors died from COVID.

In the midst of these tragedies, our brave partners continued the work of the gospel to the glory of God.

Evangelism

• 110 salvations from Buddhist, Islamic & Hindu backgrounds

• Glory Community Center was completed

• More than 2,000 bibles were distributed

• A network of 15 evangelists and church planters is supported

• The Glory Reading Room lending library has a new home in the Glory Community Center

Feeding programs and water distribution

• 1,700 families fed for 2 weeks each (23,800 meal/days)

• 5 wells continue to supply water to communities

• COVID care team was supported with medicines and food

• A motorcycle was provided for a member of the COVID care team
  
  

Vietnam

• Marriage and ministry training for pastor couples

• Ministry to families whose children are in a heart hospital

• Feeding and disaster relief

• Evangelism

Nepal

• Roof for new church building

As ever, thank you for your prayers, support and encouragement for us and our associates. We look forward to see how God moves in 2022!

A COVID Testimony from Pastor David

If you’re wondering more about the state of COVID-19 in Myanmar, then we are happy to share some insight from our associate there, Pastor David. We asked David a few questions to get more information on the state of their nation and ways we can help.

1. How many days did your family battle COVID-19?

We battled for 14 days and nights with COVID.

2. Tell us about your local doctor during your illness.

There is no clinic or hospital in our hometown for COVID patients. No doctor comes to your home to treat a positive patient. By the grace of God, I got in contact with a young Christian doctor who is serving at the COVID volunteer center where my eldest son and a young person from our church are serving. We talked to each other through my son two days before we were infected (he had already known our football team, the reading room and our activities among the community through social media as he was actually inspired by it). This was a divine appointment from our Father as he and his medical team were ready to treat us when we were infected on August 23, 2021. The medical team came daily to our home to treat us, a miracle in itself.

The doctor advised infusions of Remdesivir for me, my mother and my aunt because we have diabetes, but the Lord had already provided the Remdesivir through Firefall! Hallelujah! Actually, we would have had to wait several days if we had to order these medications. The Lord worked on time for us.

3. What was your greatest fear and how did the Lord meet it?

More than 300 pastors and missionaries passed away during the third wave of COVID in our nation. Many of them were my classmates at the Bible school, my spiritual leaders and colleagues in ministry. Some went to their eternal home while I was infected. That made me consider every minute might be my last minute. The third and fourth days were the most difficult time for me as I suffered from high fever, heavy breathing, coughing and vomiting. My mother was also unconscious during this time. I did not want to die when I thought about my family, my flock and the lost souls in our nation. That was my greatest fear!

Though I feared much when thinking about it, the peace and joy that I received from Jesus was much stronger than my fear, as I considered the passage from Phil. 1:21 and John 21:19 (I shared this message to the flock through Zoom last Sunday). On the fifth day, I was better and my mother felt better, too, through an oxygen supply. I received confirmation from our Lord that He would like to extend my life on the sixth day. All of my family has now recovered.

4. What did you learn about God and about yourself during COVID and after?

The Lord gave me the word “remnant” on the seventh day (I Kings 19:18; Isaiah 1:9; Rom. 11:5). The Lord has given me the privilege to be a remnant for His kingdom and righteousness in our nation. The Lord reminded me also that death is nearer than tomorrow. I desire to serve more for His glory in our country for lost souls. I do understand and learn that our God is sovereign over life and death. I have to be humble in my everyday life by serving and obeying Him alone.

5. How has your life been changed by this experience? What adjustments will you make?

This experience has inspired me to pray for my nation and my people at least three hours each day with tears now. I am very excited to share about Jesus to my neighbors, my unbeliever friends and many lost people in our town after COVID! Now, I am telling the gospel to our footballers, readers at our reading room and community leaders through phone, viber and messenger. Sometimes fear and shyness hindered me before, even though the Lord opened the doors. I will not hesitate to share the good news in the coming days.

If I want to continue to serve Him and share the good news to my people, I have to be healthy and need a long life so that I can see more souls saved. To implement this, I have to take care of my health more in the coming days.

6. What else do you want to share with Firefall partners?

First of all, I would like to give thanks to God for all the mercy He has shown to us. Then, I would like to say a word of thanks to Firefall partners for praying for us while we all were ill and fighting with COVID. It means a lot to us.

Hear from Pastor David’s family

Thanks for your financial support for our family as we could prepare for the pandemic by buying medicines (especially the Remdisivir from India as Mum Nancy suggested), oxygen concentrators and cylinders (our doctor told us that these saved us from a medical viewpoint).

May God bless you all! The Lord chose you to use you for our people during these very difficult times in Myanmar! Please continue to pray for us and our nation.

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In Closing

There is nothing I can add to Pastor David’s eloquent and challenging words. Jim and I praise God for extending David’s days and ministry on this earth.

In light of this great mercy of God, what is our response? For me, it is threefold:

• Praise and thanksgiving to the One who alone can heal and save and restore.

• I am challenged to ask Jesus what is hindering me from sharing the gospel of Jesus with more urgency.

• Needs for food and medicines are critical in Myanmar. In Vietnam, there is a great need for food. I am quickened to give personally to supply our faithful associates with funds for food to demonstrate the love of Jesus as they go to serve the lost and those who are in need within the body of Christ.

Your prayers and generous giving are being used by the Lord to advance His kingdom. Please use the button below to support these needs, as the Holy Spirit leads.

With our thanks and love,

Nancy & Jim

'Please Tell Jesus: Thank You So Much!'

Today’s cuppa is a perfect one for the “dog days” of August. It’s a frosty glass of strong iced tea enhanced by fresh mint sprigs from the pot on my front porch. So refreshing!

Proverbs 25:25 says: “Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.” Though the situations remain dire in both Myanmar (military coup and COVID lockdown) and Vietnam (COVID lockdown), your prayers and giving are reaping good news through our associates.

Last week, we invited thirty writers, poets, journalists and other frequent visitors to come to the Glory Reading Room. Pastor David gave a short greeting of welcome and the announcement that, because of God’s goodness, followers of Jesus had supplied food bundles for each of their families.

As they came forward individually to receive their provision, many had tears of gratitude. Some shared they had spent all their savings on the first and second waves of COVID and had nothing left to feed their families.

They blessed us in return by bowing in the traditional manner. Some even said, “Please tell Jesus, thank you very much.” Let’s continue to pray that as the food is consumed this week and the next, they will have a hunger to know this Jesus who has blessed them.

Pastor David’s son Shem and his friend Wiliam felt called by God to move into the local quarantine center and serve those with COVID.

They are wearing PPE, filling and delivering oxygen cylinders and assisting with food distribution. These young men are our heroes. Several Buddhist monks are currently housed at the quarantine center. They requested books be brought to them from the Glory Reading Room since they are bored. Pastor David has sent some books (gifts, no need to return) along with 25 copies of the Evangelistic Bible in Burmese, complete with his contact information in case they have any questions or want to discuss what they are reading.

Please pray for hungry hearts and good conversation as God’s Word is consumed.

Thanks to your generosity, here are other outreaches:

• Each House of Glory family received much-needed food staples, plus vitamins and supplements to support their health

• Food parcels were given to the local community workers who care for the neighborhood

• Two special hot meals (with protein) were cooked and served to the 90 patients in the quarantine center. They had no chicken or fish for weeks.

• Minh in Vietnam has purchased rice, oil and basic items to administer in Vietnam during their COVID crisis. The government is unable to assist and welcomes the giving through Christians.

My heart rejoices in this good news from two far countries! Your giving is manifesting the love of Jesus to many and we thank God for each one of you. We are humbled by your generosity.

Much love in Jesus Christ our Lord,

Nancy

Update from Myanmar: Zoom Services & Current COVID Situation

I preached in Myanmar!

Because of the military coup (and COVID, too!), no one is allowed to enter Myanmar. It’s been tough to learn about the suffering of those we love yet unable to be with them. Nancy and I long to give them hugs of love and words of encouragement.

Zoom around the world

At least we got to speak with our beloved friends by Zoom. It meant so much to see the faces of so many whom we’ve grown to love so dearly. Last month, Pastor David invited us to join their Sunday morning service (11:30 p.m. Saturday night our time). Nancy shared words of blessing from the Scripture and prayed for the nation. I preached the Sunday sermon then Pastor David led us in receiving communion (each home had prepared the elements).

Still longing for the day

We long for the day when we’ll be together in person. Still, we thank the Lord that through Zoom, we could celebrate His presence and worship Him with our brothers and sisters on the other side of the world.

-Jim

From Pastor David: The Current Situation in Myanmar

Thanks for your love, concern and encouragement during the pandemic and political crisis we are facing. We are praying at least three hours each day for our people and our nation with tears. We are not fasting this time, as the doctor suggests the immune system is very important to support.

By the grace and protection of God, no one from House of Glory (HoG) families and our network are infected with COVID-19. Though some are feeling sick (seasonal flu), they recover day by day. However, the third wave of the pandemic is still very bad in our nation. An average of 20 people die daily in our hometown. More than 210 pastors and missionaries died during this third wave. As for me, I lost some of my classmates, spiritual mentors, professors at the Bible school and ministry fellowship partners.

Many people are still struggling for their daily food since they lost their incomes because of lockdown restrictions. Many people fear they will die because of starvation rather than the pandemic. We are praying for them with tears.

Because of the political conflict, many are still being shot to death and some are put in jail. We are confronting pandemic, famine and political turmoil.

Nevertheless, we give our hearts more to Jesus as everything is under His control. The spiritual life of HoG families is growing in the midst of these challenges!

-David

How you can help

Connecting with House of Glory by Zoom and sharing the communion service with them was a high water mark for Jim and me this summer. How beautiful is the Body of Christ! Your prayers for them in this hour are being heard and answered.

We rejoice that doors are still open to send funds to feed hungry people in both Myanmar and Vietnam. If you care to give, we will gladly share 100% of your gift to feed those in need in this critical hour.

-Nancy

Thank you for praying, caring and giving.

We love and appreciate you,

Jim, Nancy and Grace

Living to Give in Myanmar & Vietnam

John 3:16 is perhaps the most often quoted verse in our land. We see it on billboards, at sporting events and have memorized it as children. These treasured words remind us that God is love and that it is His nature to give. He gives each of us life, with our unique personalities, looks and gifts. He gives us families, friendships and purpose to demonstrate the unity of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He gave the life of His one and only Son so we could all be restored to an unbroken relationship with our Father. 

As we ponder the vastness of God’s love and His gift of salvation, what is a proper response? As partakers in His divine nature through salvation, it’s only fitting that we learn the ways of our Father, the ways of love and generosity. 

Both Pastor David in Myanmar and Minh in Vietnam demonstrate “living to give” as a lifestyle. In times of great joy or great pressure in their nations, we are encouraged to see them ever on the lookout to meet the needs of those around them, to be the hands and feet of Jesus,

Times are tough in both Myanmar and Vietnam at present. COVID is raging in both nations, disrupting daily life and work. Neither nation has the promise of adequate vaccines or healthcare. In Myanmar there is the additional stress of the military takeover since February 1. Despite these dire circumstances, these two men are looking for ways to build a bridge of love to demonstrate the love of God. The great news is that hearts are being opened to God’s love and people are receiving the gift of salvation!

As you watch these two short greetings from Pastor David and Minh, you can see the toll and suffering of the current situations on their faces. Please continue to pray for them, their families and churches.

Pastor David shares:

Food distribution in Vietnam

Minh and his team at House of Hope prepare food each day and drive it 40 minutes to drop off at the Heart Hospital, where children await heart surgery. Only one parent is allowed to accompany their child during COVID. The surgery is free, but there is no provision for food. Most of the people there are from the tribal areas and are very poor. They are beyond grateful for this act of compassion and love. You are part of this outreach through your giving to the work of Firefall. 

I don’t know about you, but as I ponder these modern-day heroes of our faith, I am humbled and challenged once more to be on the lookout for ways to be a giver...of encouragement, kindness and forgiveness, as well as my material treasure. 

Thank you, Firefall partners, for caring, for praying and for “living to give.” This life is a marathon, not a sprint. May we be faithful til the end, by God’s grace. May there be a great harvest of souls as Jesus continues to be lifted up in ways great and small.

“For I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in.” -Matthew 25:35

“Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” -Matthew 25:40

“Whoever is kind to the poor is lending to the Lord — the benefit of this gift will return to him in abundance.” -Proverbs 19:17

What a Year! 2020 in Review

For Firefall International, 2020 was some kind of year.

Challenges

The largest single project our Firefall friends and national partners took on was the construction of the Glory Community Center in Myanmar. Because of the pandemic, materials were hard to get, prices increased, and the number of workers on site was limited.

Opportunities

On the other hand the pandemic created more opportunities to reach suffering people than ever before with food, water and compassionate expressions of the love of Jesus. We could never have dreamed how God would open communities and hearts like He did.

Hear a Christmas greeting and update on 2020 projects from Jim & Nancy.

Together, by the grace of the Lord:

• We assisted Pastor David to complete the Glory Community Center in Myanmar. Even before its completion, it was impacting the community, reaching out with aid to suffering people, distributing water in a drought and launching a monthly feeding program that touched thousands

  • The community leaders used it as a polling location for 1200 people

  • It will become the new library/reading room for the community (over 1000 members)

  • The Glory Reading Room provides education to children whose families are too poor to send them to government schools.

  • The Glory Football (soccer) Club suspended operations but will resume with new offices in the Center

• We dug a new well in an area in Rakhine State, one of the most dangerous in the nation. The well will help build relationships for a church planter there

• Pastor David has formed a network of 15 church planters with a vision for multiplication

• More church planters in Myanmar are supported by friends of Firefall

• We supported Bible purchase and distribution for Christmas outreaches in 4 locations (Thanks for answering our call for support last week. The need was met within a day!)

In Vietnam, we:

• Provided flood relief in the form of food and water purification devices for thousands

• Repaired storm damage to the Hope Center ministry to children who, if not for the center, would wander the streets while parents work.

• Helped poor children have a brighter future through English lessons

• Mentored a couple in ministry (Minh & Blessing) who are replicating seminars for couples in ministry to help them to be healthy and effective in family and ministry.

Israel

We kicked off the year by leading a Tour of Israel. We made some new Firefall friends, enjoyed the amazing experience with long-time partners, and everyone enjoyed fellowship with David and Minh. The Lord was in the timing so that we returned to the US before lockdown began. (Learn more about our 2022 Israel and Jordan trip and watch our trip video.)

For many, 2020 was a trying and even tragic year. In the midst of trial and loss, the Lord made a way to make disciples of all nations and bring glory to the Father.

Thank you for allowing Firefall International to be part of your lives through prayer and your generous investment!

Why Build a Community Center?

I want to let you know how the Glory Community Center building is going, but first, let’s look at why build it at all?

Let’s take a step back, like way back to 1812. Adoniurm Judson and his wife Ann, the first American missionaries, set off for Rangoon, Burma. They endured unimaginable difficulties and Ann died of smallpox at the age of 37, leaving an infant daughter. Although they targeted the Burmese people, most of the converts were from tribal groups (such as Karen people), not the pure Burmese.

Fast forward to 2020. After 208 years of missionary effort, the Burmese are still an unreached people group with only 0.08% following Jesus out of  31 million. Pastor David, himself, is Chin, one of the 135 tribal groups, but has a mandate from God to reach the Burmese.

So What’s the Big Deal?

The big deal is that Pastor David and House of Glory Church are seeing true Burmese turn from an empty idolatry to salvation in a living Jesus! God has given David strategies to build bridges to the Burmese, through the Glory Library, the Glory Football Club, feeding outreaches, providing clean water wells and serving the Burmese in other ways.

I don’t know of any other ministry in Myanmar that is having this kind of breakthrough. It hasn’t happened for over two centuries, but it’s happening now. Firefall friends, we are called to this moment in time when God is breaking through the darkness of sin and idolatry by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Your prayer and your financial investments are a part of this historical moment of divine favor.

Back to the Building

Things are going well with the construction. The exterior work is finished. Most of the interior work on the first floor has been completed for the Library and Administrative Offices for the Glory Football Club. The same is true of the second floor, which will be used as a community meeting room and church meeting site for House of Glory on Sundays.

You can see from the photos that they did a beautiful job with the lighting. The whole community will be proud of this space. The interior of the 3rd floor (living space for David’s family and persecuted believers) is in progress. David enlisted the football team and church members - leading by example- to haul bricks, cement and sand from the ground to the 3rd floor.

$4,200 is needed to paint the entire structure and $1,000 has been pledged. Would you prayerfully consider a gift to finish the painting?

COVID Resurgence

Right now, there is a flare-up of COVID-19 in Myanmar and the nation is back on lockdown. Hardly anyone is working, except those working on the Glory Community Center. God has granted David so much favor with government officials that they made an exception for those working on the Center. What a miracle! Thank you for your continued prayer and support! 

“The Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.” -Ps. 118:23