water wells for 2012

We are excited to move into the 5th year of the Water Well Project which aims to supply water to families in villages where water is scarce and streams are contaminated. Every year, we hope to be able to send resources for wells to be dug and installed. In 4 years, 33 wells have been dug in villages across Sagaing division. Supplying good, clean water to families, children in schools and livestock. The result of having drinkable water has been tremendous. We are determined to continue to do whatever we can, with whatever we have, to see water be more accessible to people, especially in hard to reach areas.

This year, our field partner Andrew will take on an additional region, known as Magway. He has been approached by people from a village, prone to cholera outbreaks, in need of a water well. This and 7 other locations have been identified for water wells this year.

The cost of a water well averages out to be USD280. Each well is shared among 15-25 families. The wells are closed which means that water drawn is clean and drinkable. Water wells are built using durable materials, such as concrete and stainless steel pipes which will last for a very long time.

We invite you to partner with us for Water Well Project 2012. There is no gift to small.

Blessings!

snapshots of last quarter 2011

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flooded (again!)

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The monsoon rains have arrived and Andrew’s home is once again flooded. The children and youths’ sleeping, studying and dining areas have been flooded and they have moved to the 2nd floor which is a much smaller area. While months of flooding is a yearly affair, and they do cope with it, it still poses a lot of difficulties and they run the risk of getting sick and getting bites from snakes that come into the house whenever it rains heavily.

We are hoping to build another level to house the children and we hope you can partner with us in this effort to help them stay dry and safe during the monsoon seasons. Drop us a note if you would like to partner or if you have any questions or suggestions.

children’s education fund 2011

This is an update for those who have helped in sending some children to school this year (July 2011 to March 2012). When the children heard the news that their tuition fees and all other schooling needs have been sponsored, they shouted with joy and some just kept squealing as prayers were answered. With your sponsorship, children have received new sets of uniform, school bag, shoes, umbrella, stationery, exercise books and textbooks. J’zu thin ba de!

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planting tapioca

In May this year, plans were made to use the land that was given to Andrew. It seemed a little late considering how the early monsoon rains had begun. However, we were determined not to let anymore time slip away. After much toil and sweat, in preparing the mounds and the actual planting, with the involvement of the youths from Andrew’s home, tapioca plants have been seen sprouting across the land. All 15,500 mounds are sprouting leaves! Here are some pictures of Andrew and his youths and their first tapioca plantation!

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water wells 2011

Mingalaba!

We are so happy to witness another chapter in the continuation of the water well project in Myanmar. This year saw 9 new wells being dug, bringing the total number of wells that have been supplied, to 31. This is the fourth year since the water well project began. There is much rejoicing in the villages which have received wells. The testimonies of the impact of these wells upon the villagers have reached many neighbouring villages. More and more people from the other villages are asking for our field partner, Andrew, to visit them.

Through these well buildings, Andrew has been able to bring them more than just clean water. The people in the villages have received encouragement, hope and love. Deeply touched knowing that people whom they don’t know from a faraway place, cared and shared.

Thank you for giving. Thank you for caring & sharing.

Here are the pictures from this year’s water well project (:

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quake-hit myanmar

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We have just received updates from one of our fields partners, of the 6.8 magnitude earthquake that struck the border of Myanmar, Thailand & Laos on 24 March. These pictures are sent by one of our contacts who ministers in Tachileik, Myanmar. Buildings in the affected areas have been reduced to rubbles and the death toll stands at 75. There are harder to reach areas which rescue workers are trying to get to and there are fears that the death toll may well exceed the hundreds.

For the quake survivors, they are in need of urgent assistance such as food, water and temporary shelters. We will be sending up resource this Thursday, 31 March. Should you like to contribute, please get in touch with us.

2011 greetings & updates

Blessed 2011! We closed 2010 with much thanksgiving. It is indeed the Lord who sustains us and He continues to prove Himself true over and over again. 2010 has been a tough year for us, on all fronts, but the Lord taught us in those difficult times, to trust Him and Him alone. To lean on Him, to take Him at His Word, to see what He is doing through people, to rest knowing that He is God and He is able. He is indeed faithful and trustworthy.

We begin 2011, remembering all the precious lessons He taught us about Himself, about living, being a conduit and what community and relationships are about. We are blessed beyond measure. It is a privilege to serve a great and loving God.

We would also like to thank you for your partnership with us in the Lord’s work. We know that God is no debtor to man, and what you have given to His cause, He will surely repay. We pray that your hearts be filled with His joy as you continue to be a blessing wherever He has placed you.

Here, we bring you updates and projects for 2011:

Rubber Field: The field has been purchased at a good price. We thank God for favor with the landowner. As a result, some funds remain which would be used in the purchasing of rubber seedlings.

It will take about 3-4 years for the rubber trees to mature. Once we are able to tap for rubber, it will generate income for ministry (which includes schooling for children, feeding the poor etc).

Digital Cameras: As the work is expanding in the various fields, pictures & videos would help in the documentation and sharing of what God is doing. We are planning to purchase cameras at S$150 each, but if you have any to give, please let us know.

Water Wells: The 4th installment of wells is scheduled to be built in April. We are aiming to build 12 more wells in four new villages, which would supply water to about 200 families. As the villagers themselves would be building these wells, the material cost for each well is about USD300. For more information about this project, feel free to drop us a mail (:

Clothes & Stationery Collection: We collect clothes for all ages, all year round. Mostly t-shirts, blouses, shirts, pants and long skirts. We also collect colour pencils, pencils, erasers, rulers and pens. We will do the sorting and packing according to the needs of the community served. We could always do with more (:

Myanmar still remains as a least reached nation with only 0.1% Christians. May we continue to partner with our brothers and sisters in this nation as they bring the Good News to the people. Let’s also remember to uphold them in prayer. Feel free to ask if you have any questions. We will update again when we hear from our friends in the field.

Blessings, Ken & Addy

updates!

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We are pleased to bring you updates on love.myanmar 2010 projects. Thank you for responding to meet the needs of the various groups of people, be it praying, giving, or spreading the word around, your interest. Words will not be enough to say it all. May the pictures speak of the work that you have been a part of.

Water Wells in Sagaing Division: 8 more wells have been added to the 3 villages, giving about 160 families and a primary school access to clean water. With the remaining funds for this project, pipes were laid out to connect the water source to another cluster of families. This cluster of about 10 families lives in an area with no nearby water source that is safe for drinking and whose water table is too deep to dig. News about these wells has spread to the neighbouring villages and many have approached Andrew for help. The need is indeed great!

Should you like to join us in this mission, please get in touch with us. We will continue in this effort till every family has access to clean water in Upper Myanmar. Collection for Water Well Project 2011 will begin in December till March 2011.

Click here for more pictures of the waters wells built in 2009 and 2010.

Houses Rebuilt: 6 bamboo huts were restored in time for the monsoon that began in May. Monsoon rains can be relentless and go on for months. Six families with children and elderly were able to stay dry and warm.

Livestock Farms: The goats and pigs are multiplying at a steady rate. In 2011, families can finally begin to trade a portion of the livestock for profit (:

Buffalo Debt: 2 young men broke their legs while digging one of the wells this year. They were reluctant to see the doctor, as they knew they would not be able to pay the hospital bills. However, Andrew insisted and the men were hospitalised for about 2 months. In addition to taking a loan, they had to sell off their buffaloes to pay the bills. It was a tremendous burden. We thank you for responding to the need so quickly and altogether we pooled enough to pay off their loans and reclaim their buffaloes. The remaining funds were used to buy sacks of rice for widows and their children. The two men are recovering well.

Land for Padi Fields & Rubber Plantation: The landowner of 2 plots of land has finally agreed to sell and we thank God for providing the funds for the land. Taking a long term view, these fields and plantations will be crucial in supporting and sustaining our field partners and their work in raising up other community leaders.

Together with your partnership, we have been able to increase and expand the scope in giving assistance to those in need. We are amazed at how the projects have expanded and thankful for this opportunity of service. But whether we remain small or increase in scope, we pray that we will be faithful in keeping with what the Lord has called us to do, which is to Love God & Love Others.

Thank you for being a part of the team.

By His Grace, Ken & Addy

a time of rebuilding

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There are 7 bamboo huts belonging to families in the communities which we are assisting in need of repair, in preparation for the harsh monsoon rains that will come from May to September. Many of these huts are already worn out, with roofs that are barely holding up and thatched walls in need of replacement. Would you like to partner with us in this time of rebuilding?