Reflection: Honoring Those Who Serve in Silence, Poverty, and Hardship in Myanmar

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 Honoring Those Who Serve in Silence, Poverty, and Hardship in Myanmar

(A Reflection on Pastor Appreciation Month)

Danny Bawibikthawng


Every year when Pastor Appreciation Month arrives, my heart turns to those faithful servants of God laboring quietly in the countryside and small villages of Myanmar, those who continue to preach, shepherd, and care for souls with very limited financial support, in the midst of poverty, hardship, and uncertainty.


We all face struggles and anxieties in ministry, but the burdens carried by pastors in those rural places are often heavier and lonelier than those of pastors in cities or well-supported congregations abroad. While some churches celebrate this month with gifts, words of encouragement, and appreciation, many humble servants of God in Myanmar do not even have the means to buy proper clothing or food for themselves and their children. Yet they serve the same Lord with the same passion, often with tears, unseen and unthanked by the world. Many of their children are among the poorest in their communities, often looked down upon because of their worn clothes and limited access to education.


As I reflect on this, I humbly want to share my prayer and longing for all Chin churches, both in Myanmar and in the countries where we now live:


1.         Let there be a special day of prayer and giving dedicated to our brothers and sisters, missionaries and ministers, who serve the Lord faithfully in small villages and countryside churches. May we lift them up before God and extend helping hands to support them.


2.         When we host conferences and gatherings, let us not invite only the well-known or the honored ministers, but also remember the elderly, the poor, and those laboring in the hidden corners of God’s vineyard. Let us welcome them with joy and bless them with love and gifts.


3.         Those of us serving in more comfortable places should consider sharing the gifts and blessings we receive during Pastor Appreciation Month with those who have little. When we share what we have with God’s servants who lack much, we not only honor them but bring delight to the heart of God Himself. 


There is so much more I would like to share, but I will end here.
This small reflection is written from my heart to honor all our spiritual parents, brothers, and sisters who are faithfully serving the Lord in small villages and forgotten places across Myanmar.


May the Lord, who sees every tear and every sacrifice made in secret, bless you with health, strength, and joy in your service. Your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 


Hakha Chin Version 


Ka Hei Ruat Tawn! 

Pastor Appreciation Month kan phanh poah ah ka thinlung ki tein ka siaherh i ka upat tukmi hna cu sifahnak le harnak tampi lakah mah pawcawmnak khim hmanh thlahlawh hmu lo tein rammui le khuate tete ah Bawipa rian a ṭuanmi rian ṭuanhawi hna hi an si. 


Bawipa rian kan ṭuannak ah harnak le lungretheihnak kan ngei cio ko. Sihmanhsehlaw rammui le khuate hme tete i Bawipa rian a ṭuantu hna nih an tonmi harnak le sifahnak cu khrihfabu ngan deuh le ram ṭha i a ummi Bawpa rianṭuantu nih kan tonmi he cun aa dang tuk rumro ko. 


Ram ṭha a ummi cu hi bantuk ni kan phanh tikah khrihfabu nih a tlawm a tam in laksawng tete le hmurkaa thlum tete he lawmhnak an langhter cio hna. 


Cu bantuk lio ahcun rammui le khuate hme tete i Bawipa rianṭuantu ka hawile hna cu Fenh-aih ṭha le laksawng ṭha cu chim lo, zing le zaan an ei ding facang rang koko le an awr nih a hlam tuk tawnmi lakphak thlum te hmanh ai cawk kho lo mi tam tuk an rak um hna. An fale tam deuh cu khuami fale hna lakah fenhaih a ṭet ṭiam bikmi le hawi-mit hngar zoh in a tlawngleng bikmi an si. 


Cucaah kannih ram ṭha ummi Chin khrihfabu tal nih cun ruat kho in tuah kho ve usihlaw tiah ka saduhthah cu:

  1. Rammui le khuate tete ah harsa tein Bawipa rianṭuantu hna caah thlacam piaknak ni le anmah dirkamhnak caah kutken pek ni tbk hi um ko sehlaw tihi kan saduhthahnak le ka thlacamnak cu a si.
  2. Ramdang in kan sawm tik hna zongah mi nih theihmi le rian ngan a tlaimi lawng siloin rammui le khuate ah riantuanmi chung in kum khua upa deuh le harsa deuh hna hi sawm kho in laksawng zong ṭhen kho ve hna u silaw Bawipa zong aa lawm lai ti ka ruat tawn.
  3. Cun ram ṭha deuh i Bawipa rian ṭuantu kannih zong nih hi bantuk Pastor Appreciation Day tbk i kan hmuhmi laksawng cu Bawipa rian ṭuantu kan theihmi hna chungin a harsa deuh le kum khua upa deuh tbk cu nun hei hrawmh kho ve hna usihlaw kanmah lila zong thluachuahnak kan hmu ve hnga. 

 

Chim duhmi tampi a um ko nain hi vial kan ngol rih lai.


A bik in kan kawlram ah harsatnak le lungretheihnak tampi lakah lungdong lo tein rammui le khuate hme tete ah Bawipa rian a ṭuanmi nu le pa, rian ṭuanhawi nan dihlak upatnak caah hi capar tawi te hi kan ṭialmi a si. 


Bawipa tu nih damnak le ṭhawnnak in pe hna sehlaw nan retheihnak le nun pek in rian an ṭuannak vialte in hmuhpiak hram ko hna seh! 

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