Remember Ambassadors

Well friends, the whirlwind of preparations is complete, and we are ready to head to Thailand.  The closer we get to departure, the more excited I am about this chance to minister God's love to the children of martyrs at the Freedom House Orphanage.

Our seven-person team will be leaving very early tomorrow morning, and flying to Bangkok via D.C. and Tokyo.  Our primary goal is to provide medical assistance to the children in the Freedom House and other Karen children.  Many, if not all, of these children, are in the resettlement process that I have discussed before, and in addition to providing medical treatment, we will be creating and updating the medical records of these children to help facilitate their resettlement.

I have often said that one of my favorite things about my work with Remember is seeing the generosity of God's people, and this trip is no different.  Many churches and individuals have given us abundant supplies to bless the persecuted church with.  I can't wait to show you pictures of this blessing–stay tuned for updates!

Please keep the team and our ministry in your prayers.

Our Itinerary

           June 22 - Depart US for Bangkok.

           June 25 - Arrive in Mae Sot (near the Mae La Refugee Camp) for ministry.

           June 26-29 - Medical clinics, treatments, and documentation.

           June 30 - Depart Mae Sot.

           July 1 - Arrive home.

Brother Adam Jacobs was one member of the survey team that recently returned from Thailand and Burma.  I was blessed by his testimony from the trip, and wanted to share that with you.

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Brother Gabe,

Thank you for the opportunity to share the blessings of this mission. Let us give thanks and praise to our LORD and Saviour JESUS CHRIST for supplying our needs and safety during the mission, and for HIS ministry that is being fulfilled according to scripture.  “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”  (Matthew 28:19-20)

I have had many brothers and sisters ask about the mission since our return, and at first I was lost for words to explain the impact and the ministry that had and is still taking place. I was convicted by the LORD to awe and silence before HIM.

Since then HE has allowed the HOLY SPIRIT to move within my soul to testify of the mighty works that are taking place as the LORD is calling HIS soldiers of faith to step forward and proclaim the Gospel of JESUS CHRIST and how this ministry can change the world, ministering to these precious children and providing for them. JESUS has a special love for these children and it is ever present in their midst, and HIS grace was overwhelming as we stood as listened to the voices of these tiny people singing praise and glory to our Father in Heaven!!! Praise God!!! "God is Good - All the Time "!!!

JESUS touched many hearts that day and covered us with a blanket of humility as each of the 37 children came to us one by one and gave us a hug and thanked us all for coming and bringing the supplies and gifts. Many that could speak our language ask the LORD to bless us!! This was God's love being poured out upon us. Here we have come to minister to these children and they are ministering to us!!! This is the awesome grace of our LORD JESUS as we connect with the members of the Body of Christ!!! Praise God!!!

Brothers and Sisters, there is much fertile ground to till and sow in this part of the world. As we venture to the remote villages in the jungle there are many souls searching and hungry for the Word of our Savior and it is our mission as disciples of CHRIST to confess the life of JESUS that lives within us through the HOLY SPIRIT and to bring the unsaved to the eternal life that our Father in Heaven has given us through the Blood of the Lamb.  “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Here is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.” (John 15:7-9)

As we met with the leaders of the village, the main spokesman was not saved. But the prayers are now placed on his heart for salvation, as we prayed for him and his people, and for their safety and protection.  The seed is planted and the LORD'S Word is now being heard as the Bibles written in their language have now been handed out to the men, women and children throughout the villages.

Brothers and Sisters, we covet your prayers for the Karen people and that the name of JESUS will spread as the fire of Pentecost across this nation!!! “And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind,and it filled all the house where they were sitting.” (Acts 2:2)  

Praise God in all things!!!! Give HIM all the praise and glory!!!!

By HIS Grace, Adam Jacobs <><

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Remember's work takes us into countries that are often ruled by cruel dictators.  Burma is no exception.  General Than Shwe became Burma's despot when he took over as chairman of the State Law and Order Restoration Council in 1992.  Even though the SLORC has changed its name to the State Peace and Development Council–a highly misleading name, if you take it at face value–General Than Shwe has remained on the short list of the world's most cruel tyrants, especially in his persecution of Christians.

I've often wondered what the day to day life of a dictator looks like.  Apparently I'm not the only one, and The Irrawaddy has launched a special feature called the Than Shwe Watch.  It is a fascinating look at the daily life of a man that has been responsible for the death and persecution of thousands of Christians.

The survey team that just recently returned had two specific goals on their venture into Thailand and Burma.  First, they wanted to scope out the ministry possibilites for Remember in the changing situation in the Karen State of Western Burma.

After arriving in Bangkok and driving many hours northward, the team's first ministry leg was to the Mae La Refugee Camp, where Remember funds the Freedom House Orphanage.  There they took the time to interview the local leadership to see what doors might be opening.  More on these doors to come!

Click on the pictures to see the full-size version.

The second leg of the ministry was down south of the refugee camp, and on the other side of the border–inside Burma.

Border checkpoint between Thailand and Burma.

They travelled in pickup trucks on the narrow jungle trails to get to a small village of internally displaced persons (IDPs), where a number of Christian Karen have fled to avoid the violence in the north.  They took Bibles, clothing,  medicines, and toys and candy, all of which were donated by believers in the United States.  The primary goal of this leg, though, was to talk to village leaders about the possibility of opening a ministry for the IDP children.

Like any survey trip, this one was designed to "prepare the way" for our future ministry.  Please be in prayer for the Remember Board as they now look to implement the most effective ministry possible for these persecuted believers.

Our Remember team is back on the ground in the United States! I am looking forward to being able to share their pictures and stories with you.

In the meantime, the changing situation in Burma has garnered quite a bit of attention on the international news front.  Our team will have first-hand reports, but to "prepare the way" you can read these stories:

Chiang Mai Op-Ed (this article is not written from the perspective of Christian persecution, but gives a background to the Karen State developments.  Warning: Contains rather graphic photos of the violence.)

Relief Worker Executed as Burma Army Launches New Attacks on Karen Villages