THANK YOU for your prayers which are desperately needed in these critical times. The Covid-19 pandemic has been, and still is, surging in most Asian countries. Myanmar is experiencing lockdowns in many cities and States. The Chin State has been seriously impacted by the spread of the virus and over 60 pastors and ministers have died, since the beginning of June. We mourn with their respective churches and families – the lives of so many good pastors have been cut short. One of the CTMA part-time lecturers, Rev James San Thawm Thang, was among those who died; he studied for his Masters’ degree in India, with Ronald and Thomas. He was just 43 years of age and leaves behind a widow and three children. He will be sorely missed by us all, but he is now with the Lord, which is far better. The task of training students at CTMA and MVCC to replace those who have gone home to Glory is now even more imperative. Rev James San Thawm Thang
Cambodia is also seeing a significant surge of Covid-19 which has spread into the countryside. Kompong Speu has cases in the villages, but we praise the Lord that the Hope House school children have been kept safe. Pray for the Hope House Organization director, Yem Sarorn, who has had a flare-up of Hepatitis B, which he has had from birth. He sought immediate medical help and is now regaining his strength and appetite. The weather has been extremely hot (over 40C), but recent heavy monsoon rains have brought cooler temperatures. The grass and fruit trees are growing, and the goats, chickens and fish are thriving.
Isa Salisbury. On the morning of 22nd May we received the news from Heather, Isa’s daughter, that our dear friend, had been called Home to be with her Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. We remember the times of fellowship we shared down through 40 years of friendship. Isa had the most beautiful smile which lit up every place she visited. Even when the going was tough, her smile broke through the gloom! For 24 years Isa was a trustee of Silk Road Ministries, which Billy set up in 1997, just after the reversion of Hong Kong sovereignty to China. She was a founding member and the first female trustee of SRM, until Zeta Towers was appointed in 2011.“Well done, good and faithful servant …” Matt. 25:23
URGENT PRAYER REQUESTS.
- Ronald’s wife, Caroline, has a lump in one of her breasts and will have it removed in the hospital, in Yangon, hopefully during the week commencing 12th July.
- Paul, the principal of MVCC, is very sick and has been in bed for more than a week. We are not sure whether he has Covid-19 or not. There seems to be no reliable testing and little or no medicines.
- Pray for the people of Myanmar as they face so many hardships: floods, Covid-19, insufficient food and medical supplies, political unrest, and other uncertainties and challenges.
“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever and ever. Amen.” Eph. 3:20-21