The world of a missionary…

After 8 months in Burma, a young female missionary living by faith shares some of her experiences:

§ Monsoon rains that bring floods, somewhat cooler weather and electricity.

§  Humidity, dampness and mould.

§  Leaky roof.

§  “What have you cooked today?” “Have you eaten yet?” questions I’m asked everyday.

§  A foreigner asks me “How do you run your appliances when you have no electricity?” my reply “I have no appliances. I buy fresh from the market everyday, I cook with a little gas stove and wash my clothes by hand”.

§  A young boy who likes to eat the noodles off my plate and share his noodles with me.

§  Tea salad, sunflower seeds and mohinga (fish noodle soup), favourite snacks between meals.

§  Street kids, getting to know them and them getting to know me.

§  Seeing elderly western men holidaying with young Burmese boys.

§  Teaching English to a Buddhist monk and a Catholic nun.

§  My neighbour showing me how to do my hair Burmese “teacher” style.

§  A taxi ride paid for by a stranger.

§  The world cup with my neighbours.

§  A 72-year-old lady now retired, spends her time making donations to monasteries and schools with the hope of being richer in her next life.

§  An all day trip in a utility truck to see a 92-year-old monk.

After five months, and at this stage only being able to get by in the basics of Burmese language, I find myself looking and listening more than talking. I’ve learnt that the Burmese are very passionate about their beliefs, whether they be Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism or Christianity.

I hear the neighbours below me pray to their Buddhist shrine every night. Most people when they have a view of the famous gold-coated Shwe Dagon Pagoda will stop and pray, whether they are walking, in a bus or driving a taxi. I’ve seen Hindu festivals of people walking through the streets with fire, singing and dancing. I’ve seen 100’s of Catholics parade down my street with shrines to Mary praying and singing.

I am regularly invited to join friends who visit Pagoda’s on Buddhist holidays to worship with them. One close friend always asks me to visit her Buddhist “saya”, teacher, who she goes to most every week for counsel and prayer. Another friend has been explaining to me about the Islam holy month of Ramadan.

One good friend has shared with me that he has a “strong desire” for me to learn meditation so I can discover the truth of inner peace. In the past 2 months, he has been on two 10-day Buddhist meditation camps. We talk about faith and belief often. He shares with me the truths of Buddhism and I share with him the truth of the love and grace of the one true Creator God.