Update Number 2

The Myanmar/Thailand Team decided it would be fun to have a mascot (a small stuffed dinosaur we bought at an airport) and to give our updates through his eyes as he writes home. His name is MEBS which is the combined first letters of each of our team members (Mercedes, Emily, Brian and Sarah). NMSI seems to love acronyms.

Dear Mother,

Just writing to let you know that your favorite green and yellow dino is well and safe. Oh, yes and the rest of my little herd is fine also.

Emily is picking up the language like a pro. Sarah can hail a taxi better than a New Yorker. Brian is getting better at tying his longie ("skirts" that the men wear), and Mercedes preached a positive sermon on hope last Sunday.

Hope and encouragement is a valuable resource in this area. One of our new friends has made two trips to a village that was destroyed in the cyclone. His first trip was weeks after the storm, and the people were still too overwhelmed by fear to even bury the dead. his visit brought hope and encouragement, so they all went to work. By his second visit the survivors were starting to show life again, and this time he brought seed and tractors. The people that had lost family , friends and hope were now working day and night to restore their farms.

We would love to go and get our hands dirty as well, but because we are foreigners, we are not allowed. But there is a lot of ministry to do in the city as well. The other day we visited a faith-based, non-government agency that is helping to fund and organize trips like our friend has been taking, and today we helped a group package toiletries and food to send to the victims.

So as life happens, even among the tears, there are many things to celebrate. We were honored to be guests at a small Burmese wedding, and we were excited to be a part of five year anniversary party for a growing orphanage.

This little Summer adventure is almost half way over. I look forward to seeing you soon and telling you more.

with love,
MEBS

Update Number 1

The Myanmar/Thailand Team decided it would be fun to have a mascot (a small stuffed dinosaur we bought at an airport) and to give our updates through his eyes as he writes home. His name is MEBS which is the combined first letters of each of our team members (Mercedes, Emily, Brian and Sarah). NMSI seems to love acronyms.

Dear Mother,
I thought I should write to let you know that I'm
doing well. Regretfully, my hopes for a vacation in
Hawaii didn't pan out, but somehow I think I found
something better.
I was purchased from the airport toy-store by three
lovely and cheerful American young ladies. They
seemed to be looking for a mascot for their
adventures, and somehow they decided that a green and
yellow dinosaur fit the need. With giggles and smiles
they brought me to the ruggedly handsome male of their
herd. He was bravely guarding their belongings, as we
fearless males do so well.
We soon boarded our first plane for about 21 hours of
flying (right past Hawaii!!) ending in Yangon,
Myanmar. That's right, Myanmar, where the cyclone hit
about a month ago. Come to find out, these young
people were bringing bags of clothes and shoes and
toiletries and two water filtering systems.
We arrived in Yangon Saturday morning and spent the
remainder of the day settling into our rooms and
getting familiar with the city. We took long walks
down busy streets. One cannot help but to be taken
back by the friendliness and hospitality of these
people in this forgotten land in the heart of
Buddhism.
Sunday morning I think I was mistakenly left behind in
their room, but they won't admit it to me. Anyway, it
seems they had a wonderful time, and they met two
English speaking families that were greatly encouraged
by the visit and have invited them over for dinner and
English conversation.
The team has agreed to act as substitute teachers over
the next two weeks to classes of adult students
learning English as a second language. This will give
some of the American teachers the opportunity to go to
Thailand and renew their visas.
The team was hoping to be able to help more directly
in the cyclone relief efforts, but the rural delta is
still not open to foreigners. It has been encouraging
and interesting to visit with and learn from the
agencies who are helping send and fund nationals to go
and aide the hurting communities.
Through many conversations and stories, we have
learned that the cyclone was a terrible and
devastating tragedy upon an already hurting people.
Their suffering and unheard cries for help were not
just for one night, but have been for more than a life
time. Yet, there is a hope.
Well, my little herd sends you their love. We
treasure your prayers.

Your son,
MEBS (Mercedes, Emily, Brian, Sarah)