MY HEART WASVERY HEAVYRECALLING THESUFFERING WEWITNESSEDPREVIOUSLY.

Approximately 300,000 people died,many families were displaced, andabout 70,000 orphans were left in theaftermath of Nargis.The heaviness soon disappeared as Irealized that God was at work evennow. Eight of His servants wouldarrive in Burma with medicalsupplies, seeds, clothing and a waterpurification system. What came tomind is the verse: “Religion that Godour Father accepts as pure andfaultless is this: to look after orphansand widows in their distress and tokeep oneself from being polluted bythe world.” James 1:27. I believe thegoal of this commandment is toreflect maturity in our Christian walkand practice holiness. One who stands with confidence serveswith compassion. James makes it clear that true religion findsan outlet in service – the kind of service that demands abeliever to accept others without favoritism or prejudice andassist others without presumption.I would later find towards the end of our trip that the team Iwas leading indeed proved faithful. Each one would exhibitmaturity and holiness. I was proud of their commitment.Our contact in Burma was so excited to see we weresuccessful in bringing the desperately needed goods as well asthe funding to build another orphanage for one hundredchildren. I have watched God faithfully provide the windowsof opportunity we needed even when there appeared to beonly walls. We were able to visit some of the orphans nearthe Ha Liang medical clinic (in Shwee’s village) that VBBhelped build. It is always a joy to see them. Although theyhave so little and many have lost their entire family, they

We would meet the rest of our team in Tokyo and thencontinue on to Burma – our first stop.This was my third trip to Burma since the cyclone hit there last year.

WES FLINT’S SE ASIA TRIP JANUARY2009:IT WAS A COLD JANUARY DAYAS I BOARDED THE FLIGHT LEAVINGMISSOULA,MONTANA.

came with anticipation and gave all they had – their heartsand smiles. After our visit I found it difficult to leave thisgroup of children. This was not unique – I have had a hardtime saying goodbye to many abandoned, orphaned childrenin Nepal, Vietnam, Laos and China. However, I believe Godwas sending me a new message through these preciouschildren. As we were leaving, gazing in their eyes, watchingjoy turn to sadness, they scrambled quickly – hundreds of them – to get our signatures. I wasn’t sure why at the time,but then I realized two things that were so important to themas we signed our names on the back of their hands. First, wewere people they looked up to. Second, they yearned tobelong to someone. As I thought about it, I quickly realizedthe high calling we were plunged into. The entire team andthose who follow have a delightful responsibility. God wasusing us to nurture, disciple and care for those children.They truly need us, and God has given us the opportunityand responsibility of welcoming them into a family –God’s family.

NEXT STOP CHINA.AFTERLEAVING BURMA WITH NOOVERWEIGHT CHARGES ANDLITTLE IN CHINA,GOD WASFAITHFUL TO ANSWER OURPRAYERS AGAIN.

China is a complex country huge in square miles andpopulation. Most of China’s population is rural and verypoor, and also hard to reach. While visiting in Hong Kong,we met a Chinese evangelist who shared his story and workin mainland China – how 30,000 to 40,000 people come to Jesus every day. He would challenge me later with aninvitation to come work withhim and see the Lord rescuinglives in the rural parts of China. These areas aredesperate for Bibles andworkers. He said the fields areready, he just needs a few goodsoldiers. I pondered his offer asI lay in my hotel bed thatnight, thankful to hear histestimony. I have heard manytestimonies from pastors andChristians in China. Thegreatest need comes fromremote areas. The Lord isbringing revival to this landeven with rejection andsometimes persecution. Ourcontact assured us that theBibles we delivered will servethe underground church in thecountry. We were told that theeconomic downturn hasdramatically impacted the areaaround Guangzhou.Unemployment has reached40%. Consequently, many whoused to work in factories havemoved back to the country and are now farming to survive.These people are very poor and even if they were offered aBible to purchase, they couldn’t afford it. Thankfully we wereable to deliver 950 Pastor Study Bibles, and they are free.Continue to pray for much fruit for the kingdom in China.

BACK IN OUR HOTEL,THETEAM SHARED THECHALLENGES AND VICTORIESOF THE TRIP THUS FAR.

One of our team members, tiny in stature and huge in service,was about to celebrate her 65th birthday. So when I askedPaula what she would like for her birthday, she replied, “Iwould like to wash the feet of the entire team!”“I appreciate the offer,” I replied, “but what would you likefor your birthday?” She insisted that she would like to washthe feet of the entire team. I was amazed by her humility andservice. This was an act demonstrated for us by our Lord astold in John 13, which showed the full extent of His love.Now Paula joyfully got her birthday wish, demonstrating thefull extent of her love for us. Thank you Jesus for Yourexample! Sometimes the greatest gift we can receive is the actof giving of ourselves.

NEXT STOP VIETNAM.WITH JUSTA TRICKLE OF BIBLES GOINGINTO SAIGON,OUR CONTACTWAS EAGER TO SEE US.

I have made many trips to Vietnam, and I must say I getmore excited every time I go. To hear the testimonies of whatGod is doing there is such an encouragement. Listen to a