Bob DeWitt – Golden Land Baptist Missions
Born into a strong Theravadan Buddhist family in Rakhine State, Burma, “Khin Than Myo” was thirteen years old and didn’t like going to the temple with her parents. She didn’t like the chanting of the monks, and the sayings she didn’t understand. She didn’t understand the significance of lighting candles. She couldn’t understand how her ancestors could profit when she prayed to a concrete idol. She didn’t know what Gautama taught, and what she knew she didn’t believe. Buddhism wasn’t her faith; it was her culture.
Khin Than Myo’s family was not of the Rakhine, or the Arakan tribe. Her ancestors were from the Chin tribe to the north, many of whom were converted to Christianity through American Baptist missionaries in the 1800s. Her single exposure to her northern relatives was when they visited several years before. She heard them talking to her parents about another God named Jesus. But when her father became uncontrollably irate, her relatives left and never returned.
At thirteen years old, Khin Than Myo’s mother passed away and she began to pray to the God of her northern relatives. She did it secretly. And, she did it regularly. She would pray, “Jesus, if you are real, please show me.”
At sixteen years of age, Khin Than Myo walked to the village market for her father. It had become her regular responsibility. But, one day while shopping, she overheard a conversation, and she paused to pick up what she could. It was about Jesus and the Christian religion. But, the men who were talking were angry. Shouting and raising their fists into the air, they cursed the name of Jesus.
When the men left, she asked the store owner about their discussion. He immediately turned on his feet and disappeared into a back room, asking her to wait. When he returned he had a small soiled pamphlet in his hand. He said, “Someone from the north came through here several years ago and left this little paper. I don’t know why, but I saved it. You can have it if you like.”
Khin Than Myo grabbed the simple gospel tract written in the Burmese language, and ran home. After delivering the groceries to her father, she left the house and went to her secret place at the edge of the jungle. Holding the small tract in her shaking hands, she read carefully every word.
She read the tract several times. Reading it through the first time, her eyes filled with tears. The words spoke of sin and salvation, and, somehow, she knew it was Jesus speaking to her. With her whole heart she prayed the prayer at the end of the tract and knew that Jesus had answered her prayer.
She thought to herself, “Does this mean I’m a Christian now?” She didn’t know if she should tell her father. He hated Christians. She didn’t know why. There were no Christians in their village. There were no churches, maybe in their whole State. But she felt compelled, constrained to share the new love in her heart.
Eventually her father discovered his daughter’s new faith and, his anger exploded upon her. He told her that she was no longer welcome in his house, to pack her things and get out. At one point, he even threatened to kill her for bringing shame on their family. She had no place to go. But, after a time of living on the street and eating what she could find, she met a friend who was moving to Yangon for work. Khin Than Myo decided to go along by faith.
The largest city in Old Burma, formerly called Rangoon, it was almost mind-boggling and overwhelming to a small Buddhist village girl. But, even a greater wonder was when, in a city of nine million Buddhists with ten thousand temples, she kept meeting Christians. One by one, God used them to encourage her heart. For some reason, they began calling her Esther. One of them asked her, “Do you know BaGyi Bob?”
Esther Khin Than Myo and I are now friends on Facebook, and we talk often. I have learned that, by faith, she rented a small bamboo house and now cares for two precious orphaned children from her home State of Rakhine. She also has two brothers, one older and one younger. When they found out that Khin Than Myo had a simple house, they asked if they could join her, move in and help pay her rent. They are Buddhist, of course, but Khin Than Myo is witnessing to them everyday.
She said to me, “Please BaGyi Bob! I have two requests: Please pray for the salvation of my brothers and children. And, BaGyi Bob, Sir, can I call you ‘Dad?.’”
Dr. Bob DeWitt
Golden Land Baptist Missions
209 Gardner Rd
Horseheads, NY 14845
Ph: 607-426-8034
Email: glbmbob@gmail.com
Khin Than Myo’s family was not of the Rakhine, or the Arakan tribe. Her ancestors were from the Chin tribe to the north, many of whom were converted to Christianity through American Baptist missionaries in the 1800s. Her single exposure to her northern relatives was when they visited several years before. She heard them talking to her parents about another God named Jesus. But when her father became uncontrollably irate, her relatives left and never returned.
At thirteen years old, Khin Than Myo’s mother passed away and she began to pray to the God of her northern relatives. She did it secretly. And, she did it regularly. She would pray, “Jesus, if you are real, please show me.”
At sixteen years of age, Khin Than Myo walked to the village market for her father. It had become her regular responsibility. But, one day while shopping, she overheard a conversation, and she paused to pick up what she could. It was about Jesus and the Christian religion. But, the men who were talking were angry. Shouting and raising their fists into the air, they cursed the name of Jesus.
When the men left, she asked the store owner about their discussion. He immediately turned on his feet and disappeared into a back room, asking her to wait. When he returned he had a small soiled pamphlet in his hand. He said, “Someone from the north came through here several years ago and left this little paper. I don’t know why, but I saved it. You can have it if you like.”
Khin Than Myo grabbed the simple gospel tract written in the Burmese language, and ran home. After delivering the groceries to her father, she left the house and went to her secret place at the edge of the jungle. Holding the small tract in her shaking hands, she read carefully every word.
She read the tract several times. Reading it through the first time, her eyes filled with tears. The words spoke of sin and salvation, and, somehow, she knew it was Jesus speaking to her. With her whole heart she prayed the prayer at the end of the tract and knew that Jesus had answered her prayer.
She thought to herself, “Does this mean I’m a Christian now?” She didn’t know if she should tell her father. He hated Christians. She didn’t know why. There were no Christians in their village. There were no churches, maybe in their whole State. But she felt compelled, constrained to share the new love in her heart.
Eventually her father discovered his daughter’s new faith and, his anger exploded upon her. He told her that she was no longer welcome in his house, to pack her things and get out. At one point, he even threatened to kill her for bringing shame on their family. She had no place to go. But, after a time of living on the street and eating what she could find, she met a friend who was moving to Yangon for work. Khin Than Myo decided to go along by faith.
The largest city in Old Burma, formerly called Rangoon, it was almost mind-boggling and overwhelming to a small Buddhist village girl. But, even a greater wonder was when, in a city of nine million Buddhists with ten thousand temples, she kept meeting Christians. One by one, God used them to encourage her heart. For some reason, they began calling her Esther. One of them asked her, “Do you know BaGyi Bob?”
Esther Khin Than Myo and I are now friends on Facebook, and we talk often. I have learned that, by faith, she rented a small bamboo house and now cares for two precious orphaned children from her home State of Rakhine. She also has two brothers, one older and one younger. When they found out that Khin Than Myo had a simple house, they asked if they could join her, move in and help pay her rent. They are Buddhist, of course, but Khin Than Myo is witnessing to them everyday.
She said to me, “Please BaGyi Bob! I have two requests: Please pray for the salvation of my brothers and children. And, BaGyi Bob, Sir, can I call you ‘Dad?.’”
Dr. Bob DeWitt
Golden Land Baptist Missions
209 Gardner Rd
Horseheads, NY 14845
Ph: 607-426-8034
Email: glbmbob@gmail.com
The Miyashita Family to Japan
In our last letter, we mentioned how things had begun to open up in Japan. The media seemed to begin shifting away from COVID-19 and moved onto other things. As cases declined and life began to go back to normal, we breathed a sigh of relief and began working to see if we could do more church activities to get people under the sound of the Gospel. However, recent spikes in the number of confirmed cases have resurfaced worries. We continue to have worship services, but we are making adjustments as we go. These are definitely times to pray for wisdom!
This year, we also had a long rainy season, but it is finally over! The summer heat is upon us. Speaking of summer, Rosie is currently on summer break from language school. The school provides optional classes that the students can take, so she has been participating in those. On the last Friday in July, she met with several young mothers at the church and had the chance to share the Gospel with them. Most had never heard the Gospel before. Rosie continues to meet with ladies and practice speaking Japanese as well as make friends here in Niigata.
In our last letter, we wrote about the small change we had made to our Sunday evening service times. At first, it seemed like a mistake, but we have begun to notice some positive effects. We are continually amazed at how the Lord brings people to the church, and we even had a gentleman from the local area visit one Sunday evening in July. He said it was his first time going to church. I quickly shifted from what I had prepared to a simple Gospel message. He didn’t get saved, but from our conversation afterward, the words seemed to have sunk into his heart.
With uncertainties looming, please continue to pray for the Hill family. As of this writing, they are still in the U.S. working to get back to Japan, but they may be able to get back by early September. Please continue to pray for their re-entry situation!
Yours for Japan,
James, Rosie, Silas, and Amos
James Miyashita
PO Box 442
Alpharetta, GA 30009
Ph#: 470-278-7415
Email: james@reachingjapan.com
This year, we also had a long rainy season, but it is finally over! The summer heat is upon us. Speaking of summer, Rosie is currently on summer break from language school. The school provides optional classes that the students can take, so she has been participating in those. On the last Friday in July, she met with several young mothers at the church and had the chance to share the Gospel with them. Most had never heard the Gospel before. Rosie continues to meet with ladies and practice speaking Japanese as well as make friends here in Niigata.
In our last letter, we wrote about the small change we had made to our Sunday evening service times. At first, it seemed like a mistake, but we have begun to notice some positive effects. We are continually amazed at how the Lord brings people to the church, and we even had a gentleman from the local area visit one Sunday evening in July. He said it was his first time going to church. I quickly shifted from what I had prepared to a simple Gospel message. He didn’t get saved, but from our conversation afterward, the words seemed to have sunk into his heart.
With uncertainties looming, please continue to pray for the Hill family. As of this writing, they are still in the U.S. working to get back to Japan, but they may be able to get back by early September. Please continue to pray for their re-entry situation!
Yours for Japan,
James, Rosie, Silas, and Amos
James Miyashita
PO Box 442
Alpharetta, GA 30009
Ph#: 470-278-7415
Email: james@reachingjapan.com
The Owens Family to Bulgaria
As far as the pandemic, not much has changed since my last letter so I‘ll spare you the boring details. Our situation here is probably about the same as you are experiencing along with the rest of the world. However, we have managed to continue to meet and hold our normal church services despite the regulations put in place. Praise the Lord, so far we have not been bothered or harassed by the government. Overall attendances have been slightly down, but not unusual for the start of the summer months. Praise the Lord for the 2 who have received Jesus as their Saviour and the one who was baptized.
It’s encouraging to see students in our Bible institute classes actively practice their faith and grow leaps and bounds in their Christian walk. We now have 2 more young couples interested in studying the Bible after seeing it work in the lives of these young people. Pray that they will be serious and consistent.
Over two years ago a young lady who grew up in our church gave birth to twins. The boy, Isak, was born with serious health problems and was in and out of the hospital. He passed away on May 15. It was one of the hardest funerals I have done and the parents (Trajcho and Tanya) are devastated. They would appreciate your prayers.
Please continue to pray for the young couples God has allowed us to win and disciple. Pray that they will continue to grow in the Lord. We appreciate your faithful prayers and support.
Serving for Jesus,
The Owens Family
PO Box 1861
Pacifica, CA 94044
Ph#: 410-202-8845
Email: owensbulgaria@gmail.com
It’s encouraging to see students in our Bible institute classes actively practice their faith and grow leaps and bounds in their Christian walk. We now have 2 more young couples interested in studying the Bible after seeing it work in the lives of these young people. Pray that they will be serious and consistent.
Over two years ago a young lady who grew up in our church gave birth to twins. The boy, Isak, was born with serious health problems and was in and out of the hospital. He passed away on May 15. It was one of the hardest funerals I have done and the parents (Trajcho and Tanya) are devastated. They would appreciate your prayers.
Please continue to pray for the young couples God has allowed us to win and disciple. Pray that they will continue to grow in the Lord. We appreciate your faithful prayers and support.
Serving for Jesus,
The Owens Family
PO Box 1861
Pacifica, CA 94044
Ph#: 410-202-8845
Email: owensbulgaria@gmail.com
Sam Ward to Croatia
Greetings once again from Texas! Things began to open up a bit in June and I received an invitation to the old fashioned camp meeting at Midway Baptist Church in Elyria OH, and what a glorious meeting that was! The preaching was outstanding, and all the singing and fellowship was such a blessing.
From there I moved on to Independence, Missouri to spend a little time at New Hope Baptist Church with my good friend, Pastor Darren Tharp and his precious people. We had a glorious time in church and also on the roadside with our Gospel Signs. They were running a huge fireworks tent while I was there, as they do every year to raise money for church projects, and I got to see what that is like. Overall, a great time in Missouri.
From Independence it was on to Tahlequah, OK and Blessed Hope Baptist Church, pastored by Bill Holcomb. What a sweet spirit in that place! It was their week to celebrate their church’s 28th year with a revival, cookouts, BBQ, mmm...mmm! We had a great time presenting the work, and even after I sang a special in Croatian, they still voted to take me on for support! God was in that to be sure.
After that I was off to Beth Haven Baptist Church in OKC, Pastored by Rick Carter, Jr. I needed a place to stay for a few days, and it “just happened” to be during their annual revival meeting! Imagine that. I attended seminar classes on grief counseling all day and had church every evening. I have learned a lot from Pastor Carter. I also met two new pastors who are sure to be lifelong friends. What a mighty God we serve!
After one revival service I complimented the man’s shoes sitting right next to me. We made some conversation, and believe it or not, he brought me a new pair of shoes to church the next day! Later in the week I was asking others where the man was, and they said, “Oh he was just visiting from Florida!” God provides!
Now I am at Rose City Baptist in Rose City, Texas with my friend, Pastor Tony Wilcoxson, and we just wrapped up our Sunday services. God was with us all day! I cannot imagine services going any better than what we experienced this weekend! Totally and completely blessed of God from start to finish and I do greatly rejoice and bless the Lord for His goodness to us.
Because of COVID, I’ve had some meetings cancelled so I will wrap up my schedule on 7/22 and fly back to Croatia on 7/23. My next letter will come to you from the beautiful land of my calling, my home.
Thank you so much for your support, whether financial, or through prayer and encouragement. Without you, this would not be possible. Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing.
Sam Ward
2212 N David Dr
Arlington, TX 76012
Ph #: 817-460-7940
Email: Sam.ward@godsavecroatia.com
From there I moved on to Independence, Missouri to spend a little time at New Hope Baptist Church with my good friend, Pastor Darren Tharp and his precious people. We had a glorious time in church and also on the roadside with our Gospel Signs. They were running a huge fireworks tent while I was there, as they do every year to raise money for church projects, and I got to see what that is like. Overall, a great time in Missouri.
From Independence it was on to Tahlequah, OK and Blessed Hope Baptist Church, pastored by Bill Holcomb. What a sweet spirit in that place! It was their week to celebrate their church’s 28th year with a revival, cookouts, BBQ, mmm...mmm! We had a great time presenting the work, and even after I sang a special in Croatian, they still voted to take me on for support! God was in that to be sure.
After that I was off to Beth Haven Baptist Church in OKC, Pastored by Rick Carter, Jr. I needed a place to stay for a few days, and it “just happened” to be during their annual revival meeting! Imagine that. I attended seminar classes on grief counseling all day and had church every evening. I have learned a lot from Pastor Carter. I also met two new pastors who are sure to be lifelong friends. What a mighty God we serve!
After one revival service I complimented the man’s shoes sitting right next to me. We made some conversation, and believe it or not, he brought me a new pair of shoes to church the next day! Later in the week I was asking others where the man was, and they said, “Oh he was just visiting from Florida!” God provides!
Now I am at Rose City Baptist in Rose City, Texas with my friend, Pastor Tony Wilcoxson, and we just wrapped up our Sunday services. God was with us all day! I cannot imagine services going any better than what we experienced this weekend! Totally and completely blessed of God from start to finish and I do greatly rejoice and bless the Lord for His goodness to us.
Because of COVID, I’ve had some meetings cancelled so I will wrap up my schedule on 7/22 and fly back to Croatia on 7/23. My next letter will come to you from the beautiful land of my calling, my home.
Thank you so much for your support, whether financial, or through prayer and encouragement. Without you, this would not be possible. Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing.
Sam Ward
2212 N David Dr
Arlington, TX 76012
Ph #: 817-460-7940
Email: Sam.ward@godsavecroatia.com
