Why Build a Community Center?

I want to let you know how the Glory Community Center building is going, but first, let’s look at why build it at all?

Let’s take a step back, like way back to 1812. Adoniurm Judson and his wife Ann, the first American missionaries, set off for Rangoon, Burma. They endured unimaginable difficulties and Ann died of smallpox at the age of 37, leaving an infant daughter. Although they targeted the Burmese people, most of the converts were from tribal groups (such as Karen people), not the pure Burmese.

Fast forward to 2020. After 208 years of missionary effort, the Burmese are still an unreached people group with only 0.08% following Jesus out of  31 million. Pastor David, himself, is Chin, one of the 135 tribal groups, but has a mandate from God to reach the Burmese.

So What’s the Big Deal?

The big deal is that Pastor David and House of Glory Church are seeing true Burmese turn from an empty idolatry to salvation in a living Jesus! God has given David strategies to build bridges to the Burmese, through the Glory Library, the Glory Football Club, feeding outreaches, providing clean water wells and serving the Burmese in other ways.

I don’t know of any other ministry in Myanmar that is having this kind of breakthrough. It hasn’t happened for over two centuries, but it’s happening now. Firefall friends, we are called to this moment in time when God is breaking through the darkness of sin and idolatry by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Your prayer and your financial investments are a part of this historical moment of divine favor.

Back to the Building

Things are going well with the construction. The exterior work is finished. Most of the interior work on the first floor has been completed for the Library and Administrative Offices for the Glory Football Club. The same is true of the second floor, which will be used as a community meeting room and church meeting site for House of Glory on Sundays.

You can see from the photos that they did a beautiful job with the lighting. The whole community will be proud of this space. The interior of the 3rd floor (living space for David’s family and persecuted believers) is in progress. David enlisted the football team and church members - leading by example- to haul bricks, cement and sand from the ground to the 3rd floor.

$4,200 is needed to paint the entire structure and $1,000 has been pledged. Would you prayerfully consider a gift to finish the painting?

COVID Resurgence

Right now, there is a flare-up of COVID-19 in Myanmar and the nation is back on lockdown. Hardly anyone is working, except those working on the Glory Community Center. God has granted David so much favor with government officials that they made an exception for those working on the Center. What a miracle! Thank you for your continued prayer and support! 

“The Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.” -Ps. 118:23

A Tribute to Terri Clark, Friend of Firefall International

Our Tribute

Today, we pause to honor the life of a beloved partner and travel team member, Terri Clark. Terri transitioned to her heavenly home on August 19, 2020. She logged untold thousands of miles as a “sent one” on Firefall International missions to Myanmar, NE India, China, Vietnam and other nations. Terri taught in women’s conferences with transparency, humor and a deep desire to see women grow in their faith. 

Terri loved the people and the food of the nations

Terri was a delightful ministry team member, up for any challenge. She never complained about cramped vans or busses, “strange” food, lumpy mattresses or thin, tiny towels. Each morning and evening, she checked in with her adoring husband, Harvey. They would share details of their respective days with great affection. Theirs was a real love story. Harvey encouraged her to follow God’s dream for her life and she cheered him on whole-heartedly.

Terri’s passion to see God’s love displayed in Jesus Christ change lives fueled her travel with Firefall International and our friendship. We will miss you, dear and faithful woman of God. Thank you for your example of faith, obedience and joy in the journey! 

Nancy, Terri and a friend working in Asia

-Nancy

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Minh’s Tribute

I met Terri over fifteen years ago for the first time when she joined with the Firefall team to speak at a women’s conference in Vietnam. Serving as her translator, I got to know her life, her stories and experiences and how God led her into intimacy with Himself. She touched the lives of many women leaders who are still touching other lives. Personally, I was invited to her home in Arkansas, where I rode on the back of her motorcycle to visit her house of prayer up on a hill. She welcomed me in with her joyful and bright face. 

Minh and David at a leader conference

I will miss you, Terri, as a close friend of my spiritual Mom, Nancy! I heard about you through her and I got to know you as we worked together. May you rest in peace with our most loving Father in Heaven. See you there!

-Minh Van Thai

Pastor David’s Tribute

I first met this woman of God at the Myanmar conference conducted by Firefall International where she delivered a very anointed message from the Word of God. Many Myanmar lady church leaders were blessed by her ministry. We still hear testimonies today.

I was very challenged and encouraged by Terri’s burden and love for lost souls around the world, especially Africa and Asia. She shared this with me while I visited with her in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Her heart made me want to serve more and to sacrifice more for the lost in my land, Myanmar!

I was both saddened and thrilled when I heard of Terri’s entry into her Heavenly Home. I am really proud of her life here on earth as she followed her Savior faithfully until the end and served Him. Her witness is still instructing and preaching to many people. Thanks for it! We love you and will see you one day in the presence of our loving Father. 

-David Siang and House of Glory Family, Myanmar

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Junia’s Tribute

I would like to honor and salute you, Aunty Terri Clark. You are a woman of faith, love, generosity and prayer. You have the lovely, humble heart of a servant of God.

I still remember you coming to my country and preaching about sweet lemon (lemonade) as an example. This encouraged me in my life and ministry. 

Even though you are gone physically from this earth, you are still alive and preaching in my life. You will be in my heart always. I love you, Aunty.

I pray for your family, church and ministry. May the peace of our Lord be with you to strengthen and comfort all of you.

-Junia, Yangon, Myanmar

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Elvis’ Tribute

Nancy and Elvis in Yangon

Aunty Terri was filled with compassion for the harvest of souls. She always thought about how to communicate the love of Christ wherever she was. She lived what she preached. Reaching people with the gospel was her priority. She lived each day “on mission.”

I am so sad that I will no longer meet Aunty Terri in Myanmar or elsewhere on this earth. But I remain confident that the seed of faith Aunty Terri sowed in Myanmar, Uganda and many other places will blossom and bear much fruit. I will meet you again, Aunty, in heaven. 

-Elvis Khamh, Yangon, Myanmar

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Jim’s Memories of Terri

Jim speaking

I first remember meeting Terri as her son’s youth pastor. Despite her taxing job schedule, she willingly volunteered to serve as a worker on youth outings, joyfully enduring the primitive accommodations of low-budget youth retreats.

Terri’s first venture into ministry in Uganda was in early September, 2001. I also happened to be in Uganda with a team training pastors. We were there when the attacks came on 9/11. I was called to the phone. Somehow, Terri had found out how to contact me and I could hear the devastation she felt being so far away from home trying to process this tragedy. It was a hard way to launch a ministry, but she did it.

I admired Terri’s compassion for others, her pioneering spirit and spiritual dedication to follow Jesus wherever He led her.

-Jim

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” -Hebrews 12: 1 & 2

Read more of Nancy’s thoughts on remembering Terri in her Cuppa post.

Remembering Terri & Taking Tea Together

“The road to a friend’s house is never long.” -Danish proverb

Today I pause to sip my cuppa (peach-infused tea from Israel) and reflect on tea times spent with my dear friend Terri Clark, who took up residence in heaven a few days ago. I honor her with a cup on the table beside me. I shall miss her greatly. We shared our faith plus love of family, good food, travel and all things tea. 

Terri and I celebrating our 65th birthdays last November

Though the drive to each other’s home was over 20 minutes, that time was gladly spent in expectation of a delicious cuppa and an hour of conversation where you were welcomed, accepted and heard. Sometimes we would text one another to decide what tea we would be enjoying. As we settled in, the chatter swirled around events of the day, news about our children or our mission work, hers in Africa, mine in SE Asia. These topics usually filled the time needed to sip the first cup. By the time the second cup was poured, the conversation would open on a deeper level. We came to inhabit a sacred space during those times where our longings, dreams, struggles and reflections could emerge, feeling safe from editing, judging or “fixing.” The gift of being heard and valued is a treasure. 

We had liberty to laugh, cry or simply have an off day. Both of us being “external processors,” we would often leave the hour with wisdom for the very thing we shared about. Such is the magic and miracle of a pot of tea with a friend, at least that was my experience with Terri, for 20-odd years.

It was a big transition for us when I moved to North Carolina last November. Terri spearheaded a surprise going-away tea party for me, hosted with three other good friends and many invited girlfriends. It was elegant and heartwarming. After I moved, we would set up phone dates, cuppa in hand, often launching the conversation with what we had chosen to brew, describing the weather and where we were seated for our tea time. Little did we know Terri would soon be making the greatest journey of all. 

We partnered in mission travel to many nations. I will share about some of those journeys in the days to come. For today, it is enough to sip my tea and thank God for the gift of Terri and the friendship we shared. I miss you, my beloved tea buddy. I will see you later. 

“Oil and incense bring joy to the heart, and the sweetness of a friend is better than self-counsel.” -Proverbs 27:9

Salt and Light and Chicken Rice Soup

“Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” -Matthew 5:16

Last week, thanks to your generosity, we fed over 700 hungry people in the area near the construction site of the Glory Community Center in Myanmar. 

Over 20 members of the congregation cooked food in the newly constructed kitchen, while the youth/young adult group managed the food distribution. 

Pastor David writes:

“First, our team gathered for prayer at our construction site. Then we started to share the food as soon as the rain stopped. We distributed meals in three places near our building, in the poorest areas. Our neighbors were grateful and joyful as they received their meal. Most of them struggle to have daily food and rarely ever have a protein like chicken in these times of COVID shutdown. 

Our fellowship is growing. We invited them to visit the center when it opens. Some of them invited us to visit their homes. I see with my spiritual eyes that some will be in my flock in the days to come.

Thank you to Firefall friends who make these provisions possible through your prayers and giving.”

“A generous man will be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.” -Proverbs 22:9

If you’re interested in helping House of Glory finish the construction project with painting and other needs, use the button below.

A Miracle in Myanmar!

“Come and see the works of God; He is awesome in His doing toward the sons of men.” -Psalm 66:5

“Praise the Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary, Praise Him in His mighty firmament! Praise Him for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness!” -Psalm 150:1-2

In the midst of personal sorrows and repentance over our nation, we want to lift our heads and share the great wonders the Lord did for our brothers and sisters at House of Glory in Myanmar. Many of you joined their local fellowship in prayer over the need to finish the concrete work for the third floor of Glory Community Center in the face of devastating storms.

Here is the account of Pastor David: 

“I just would like to share what a miracle happened through prayer at our construction site of Glory Community Center!

The rains started to fall heavily when we prepared for the slab between the second and third floor. Though 80 workers came to work from Mandalay, half of them returned home because of rains. But half of them could start to work at 9 a.m. on May 28, as the rains stopped after prayer. They could only finish half of the roof. We had to finish the rest on the next day. So, we requested the workers to continue on the next day by providing their dinner and lodging that night. Though they had another appointment on the next day, they accepted our request as the Lord worked in their hearts through our constant prayer. (There is no team or group of workers in our hometown for making concrete slabs, as it is the hardest and most difficult part of the construction.)

To make things worse, the weather forecast told us that there would be even heavier rains on May 29! Our engineer told us that we could not not finish the slab if the rains fell heavily. But I told him to wait on the situation, as we were praying and we sent a prayer request to our Firefall friends. We experienced both faith and despair as the rains fell very heavily that night (it was the record amount of rain for our hometown for one day in May). But we did not cease our prayer!

On May 29, the rains continued until 8 a.m. All the workers prepared to go back home. We requested to wait for one more hour. The Lord gave the brightest sunshine by stopping the heavy rains at 8:20 a.m. Hallelujah! The Lord answered our prayer. We all shouted “Yay” and could continue on the rest of that day. Though our enemy attacked us with two breakdowns of the machine making concrete and the truck slipping which carried stones, we could finish the slab well at 5:45 p.m. 

The engineer told us the slab is safe if there is no rain within two hours. The sky grew dark again at 6 p.m. So we dedicated it in prayer unto the mighty hand of our Lord (and talked about renting plastic to cover the slab if the rains fell). We learned that there is no place to rent plastic because of the large size. The rains did not resume until 8:40 p.m., thanks be to God! When I phoned our engineer about the slab and concrete, he assured me that it was totally safe and that rain after the two hours will make the concrete stronger! Hallelujah!

Thank you, Firefall friends, for your part in prayer and partnership as we celebrate this great miracle.” 

-Pastor David

We pray this testimony encourages you in faith, perseverance and joining with others in prayer. The God who held back the rain in Myanmar is the same God who hears and answers prayer wherever we may live. Let us give Him our cares, trust Him fully and praise Him always.

Gratefully,

Nancy

Quenching Thirst in Myanmar

“Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.” Isaiah 12:3

Isaiah 12 is a messianic hymn of praise anticipating the fullness of salvation through the Anointed One of David’s house. This verse was quickened to me by the Holy Spirit as Pastor David shared good news and photos yesterday. We are excited to share with you, our friends, who pray and invest in the work of God through Firefall International. 

Thanks to your prayers and giving, the construction of the Glory Community Center is proceeding with great speed and favor. This is amazing in a time of COVID-19 work stoppage and also a worse than usual drought before the monsoon season, which starts around mid-June. 

David’s focus has been completing the building project, but his heart of compassion was gripped with the suffering of his neighbors as the drought persists in their area. The closure of shops and businesses is bad enough, but a compounding factor is the lack of clean water access for most of the area. Large bodies of water are bone dry, something rare there.

Realizing that Firefall had installed a deep and strong well at the building site, David joined with youth leader Pho Chan and conscripted his 3-wheel taxi to deliver clean water to the neighborhood. This began over a week ago and will continue. We hope the photos of the joy of receiving the water touches your hearts like it does ours. David related that during this exhausting work, they are strangely refreshed and invigorated as they see the happiness of the people. 

For Jim and me, it is symbolic and prophetic of what is to come with the completion of the Glory Community Center. Not just drinking water but living water through the knowledge of Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit in their midst.

We thank God for financial giving over the years which has enabled us to dig four wells in Myanmar. A fifth one will be dug very soon as an outreach tool in another part of the nation where a church planter awaits to administer the water freely as a bridge of God’s love. 

Please pray with us in agreement over these specific requests:

1. Continued favor with neighbors and officials (majority Buddhist) as we get to know them better through water distribution.

2. Approval from authorities to allow the 80 workers needed to pour the final slab for the 3rd floor this week! The rains will come soon. 

3. Pray for the lockdown in the nation to lift by June 1 so work and provision can resume for families. 

Opportunities to Give

1. Any gift is appreciated to help us finish the building project. We are $2,000 away from our goal! 

2. Gifts to supply food for hungry children and adults in Myanmar 

Love In Action During COVID-19

It’s one thing to say “Jesus loves you” to someone, and quite another thing to demonstrate that love by action.

Thanks to your prayers and giving, love in the form of eggs, noodles, rice, fruit and cooking oil has been distributed to hundreds of hungry people under the direction of Minh in Vietnam and Pastor David in Myanmar. 

One of the construction workers goes home with food today

These photos tell the story of how your dollars became food donations distributed by believers to families with no hope of food for the next two weeks. Most had subsisted on one or two bowls of rice soup per day, due to COVID-19 lockdowns and inability to work. 

In Vietnam, Minh and youth teams from the church (where he serves as elder) purchased and packaged food to give to 60 families. Priority was given to families with elderly and with young children. 

In Myanmar, Pastor David and the House of Glory team visited the local Buddhist monastery serving as a quarantine center for Covid-19. They supplied masks and food and met with the chief monk who welcomed them gladly. They were the first Christians to help with the needs of the center. The monastery expressed their gratitude on their Facebook page. How amazing that the Lord is using your gift to ease tension between Christians and majority Buddhists!

A warm reception at the Buddhist Monastery/COVID-19 Center

Three young men from House of Glory decided to dedicate their time by serving for three weeks at the quarantine center. Please pray for their safety and the influence of their lives as they serve. 

These three youth group members will serve for 3 weeks at the COVID-19 center

We also shared masks and a cooked meal for fifty social workers and those in charge of controlling the pandemic. In addition, Pastor David has shared a supply of food with some of the poorest of the construction workers at the House of Glory building site. David is already seeing them (by faith) as his eventual “sheep” and himself as their shepherd. 

Pastor David shares how the Glory Community Center (foreground) will bless the neighborhood

Thank you for responding to the financial need to finish the Glory Community Center. At present we are $14,900 away from having the funds we need to complete the center.  Hear from David about the progress in the below video.

“Then the King will say, ‘I’m telling the solemn truth: whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me - you did it to me.’” -Matthew 24:40, The Message

As you look at these touching photos, we pray you will enter into the joy of your Father, knowing lives are being touched by His love and our small acts of giving and sacrifice. 

With grateful hearts,

Jim and Nancy and Firefall Board Members

Happy International Women's Day!

It’s International Women’s Day!

This is a day that we keep on our calendar every year at Firefall International because we love celebrating women, their accomplishments and their strength. Many of our outreaches touch women across the world, and we believe empowerment is a wonderful thing!

After all, when I think of famous women in the Bible, like Mary, Esther, Rahab, Deborah, they were women who were bold, confident and fearless in their identities in Christ. And they accomplished some amazing things for their community and the kingdom.

It is rewarding to see how Firefall is growing similar strengths in women we partner with.

Like Eliz, the librarian at our Reading Room/community library.

Hear from Eliz

Liz is a mother of two and manager of the Glory Reading Room, where she helps teach children and assists the 1,000+ community members find books. (Learn more about Eliz in this Q&A.)

I love how she talks about being able to manage her home and children, as well as the library, as a working mom. As women, we are no strangers to multi-tasking. How inspiring that Eliz is balancing family with sowing into the education and eternal destiny of the children and adults around her.

Today, we celebrate International Women’s Day and all of the women across the world who are multitaskers, mothers, sisters, wives, friends, aunts, teachers, preachers, leaders and passionate followers of Jesus.

Maybe today would be a good time to tell the women in your life how much you support and appreciate them?! Or maybe you would even like to seek out a nonprofit (ours or others) who help empower women and volunteer or give to their efforts.

The Outreach Center Rises!

So many of you have prayed and given generously to see the vision of an outreach center in Myanmar become a reality. When complete, this center will be a hub of the community providing offices for the winning soccer team, a community library and meeting place.

Renderings of the new center

Community leaders who once persecuted Christians now support the building of this center, even donating funds themselves because they recognize and appreciate its value to the people in the area.

The concrete for the second floor is now complete. There were 70 workers pouring and working the concrete at the critical time. What a beehive of construction activity!

See a short video of the building process

The project has not been without challenges. Because of the coronavirus and curtailing of shipments of building materials from China, costs have increased.

Still, Pastor David and House of Glory are remaining steadfast in the vision of serving their community and bringing glory to God.

Thanks for your continued prayer. Like Nehimiah, who would not come down from the wall, together we continue to trust the Lord until the job is complete and the vision is a reality!

May the Lord also bless and provide in the challenges you face today, and may He use each one for His glory. (Romans 8:18, 28)

The Israel Tour Through a Mother's Eyes

My cuppa on this rainy February morning is a fruit and herbal infusion which I purchased while in Israel last month. The flavors are passion fruit and mango, with no caffeine. It is delicious, warming and will not give me jitters. The brand is Wissotzky and can be purchased online.

Reflecting on the Firefall International Best of Israel Tour is joyful for me because in every aspect of the trip I saw the blessing of God. Yes, there were months of hard work sharing the vision, inviting people and answering myriad questions. There were sad days when unforeseen events led to cancellations. Through all of this, we watched the Lord gather the group, supply for them and bless us abundantly on the actual tour. 

We had amazing answers to prayer on our first day regarding lost luggage and a phone. While none of my children were free to go with us, I was deeply touched by the two mother/daughter combos on the tour. Seeing them make the most of 11 days of constant companionship, touring, learning and worshipping thrilled my heart. The sacredness of family was before me constantly and beautifully. Because our group had good numbers, we were able to invite our spiritual “sons,” Pastor David of Myanmar and Minh of Vietnam, to go with us. This was an opportunity of a lifetime for them and a great enhancement for their teaching and preaching ministries, not to mention their inner lives and insights into the Bible (read through their reflections below). Seeing them experience the land where Jesus walked and taught is a memory I will treasure forever. They will multiply the blessings they received through their sharing with hundreds if not thousands in the future.

On a personal note as a pilgrim myself, I was impacted by standing in the areas where Jesus likely taught the crowds from a hillside and fed the multitudes. Our guide helped us to “think like Jews” and understand that when Jesus did these two things, He was pointing to His divinity and His Father as His acts reminded them of the law being given from Mount Sinai and also the manna miraculously supplied which sustained them in the wilderness. So much to contemplate, so many more reasons to bow in worship and wonder before my Lord. Thank you again to those who joined us and those who remembered us in prayer. 

A few days after our return, I asked Minh and Pastor David to share their insights from the trip. May their reports encourage your heart as they did mine: 

From Minh 

A visit to the Holy Land would be a life dream for every believer. Personally, I was moved by standing at the places where Jesus, the Son of most high God, lived and served. More than that, how God protected his chosen people in the midst of their enemies in the desert. 

It is even more important for us teachers of the Word. Recently, I was recently appointed to teach a Bible course called “The Life of Jesus.” We have hundreds of students from North to the South among churches in Vietnam. In the teaching, His life was divided into five different stages:

1. Childhood

2. Preparation for ministry

3. In the ministry

4. Suffering period

5. After resurrection

Each stage related to places where Jesus was. It is so helpful for me to know geographically where He has been and to see what it looks like. All the pictures and videos I took during the visit will help my students so much. In addition, the knowledge from the guide will help me put historical information together logically.

Thank you so much for supporting my trip! May God bless you.  

From David

I just would like to share the blessings that I received from our wonderful trip to the Holy Land Tour.

This trip is the most splendid tour in my life. As for me, it was beyond my imagination and a dream come true. Thanks a lot to Firefall for supporting me to join in this trip as I myself could never implement such an awesome trip.

I was really touched when I walked on the land where our Lord was walking 2,000 years ago! That made my faith in Him stronger and stronger as I learned the Bible is not just a myth or story but actual and authentic.

Worshipping and praising the resurrected Jesus in the Garden Tomb left me speechless as tears of joy came from our eyes. It was the greatest hope that I have in my life seeing the empty tomb of our Lord! This makes it even more effective when I share the gospel to many Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims in my nation. Now, I can share about His resurrection in power by telling them that I myself was there.

I was challenged and empowered also when I stood on the Mt. of Olives where Jesus gave the Great Commission to His disciples. I felt as Jesus is talking to me directly there to implement His final Word among my own people. That encouraged me to implement that Great Commission in my nation.

Seeing and stepping on things and places that we have heard and preached before was a great blessing and an awesome feeling for me. When I shared the word of God on the first Sunday after we just arrived back from Israel, it changed the essence of my message as I myself explained the congregation much more deeply and meaningfully.

I read the synoptic gospels during our trip, and it was the most meaningful and the sweetest time in my life, even though I have read them over 100 times. The Holy Spirit gave me many more insights from the stories of Jesus to impact my flock for these coming days.