September 2011 Archives

Christian workers in Burma retire with no income.  Many do not live long after their retirement because life expectancy is much lower in Burma.  For the retired worker there is no social security, no pensions or 401K plans, and recent inflation has wiped out any savings such a person may have managed to collect because in twenty-five years, the kyat went from 6 to a dollar to 900 to a dollar! 

 

Normally, parents depend upon their children to support them in their old age so large families are their pension plans.  Older people who have never had children or lost their children do not have this base of support.  Though most churches name their ministers Minister Emeritus when they get old and continue to support them, Christians who have worked as evangelists, teachers, administrators, etc. do not have churches to support them.

In response to this situation, Friends of Burma launched a small program called Retired Christian Workers Grant Program to give small grants to those in need.  It is administered by Friends of Myanmar Governing Board in Burma.  The grants are usually $10 - $15 which is about equal to three months income of some of the recipients.  Grants have been given to leaders of these Baptist conventions: Wa, Naga, Mon, Rakhine, Asho Chin, Southern Shan, Karen, Eastern Shan, Akha, Pwo Karen, Northern Shan, Shwe Li, Lisu, MBCU, Kachin, Zomi and Lahu.

Friends of Burma has received some heartwarming letters from recipients.  Here are examples: 

From Rev. S. M.  I am pastor of the Judson Karen Baptist Church.  I am now suffering from Nose cancer and taking medicine at home.  To go to Neuro specialist and hospital may cost a lot of money...I thank you and FOB so much for sending me Kyats 15,000 (about $15).  This amount will help me a lot.  Yours in His Service, R. S. M.

D.H.Y. who worked in the Shwe Lee Shan Baptist Mission Convention among the Palaungs.  She said the money was a big help to her.

From E. B. T. Retired School teacher and Bible teacher. Pathein, Burma.  "I thank God so much for sending me Kyats 15,000 (about $15.)...I am 71 years old.  I have served the Lord in No. 5 State High School as an English teacher for over 25 years and at the same time, I used to teach the Bible every morning to the Karen Christian Students...When I need some financial support like this, receiving your love gift had helped me a lot...I am a widow for more than thirty years...I would like to express my sincere thanks to you by my own hand writing, but my right hand was broken and I am very sorry to ask Rev. Honor Nyo to write this for me."

From E. M. wife of S. M..  Rev. Honor Nyo...brought some of your love and concern gift for Rev. S. M.  I can't express how much to thank you because you still remember us.  S. M. can't sit or stand up by himself.  Diabetes destroyed both his eye sight too.  Thank God although he was weak in physical health, he still had strong will and attended Sunday noon service every week.  Sometimes he even gave benediction.

From T. L. H. pastor of the Tha Byay Chaung Baptist Church.  I have received Kyats 10,000...I have got stroke due to diapatis (diabetes) since September.  I can't walk and work but with God's grace I can speak and have sound mind.  So may I thanks a lot for your gift and wish God reward you with abundant blessing.