Just Do and Pray

By Pastor Pan* and Pastor Thang*, Country Co-Directors

“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” Galatians 6:9

I (Thang) am always thankful to God that He never abandoned us. And also thankful to the Lord for you all, for your concern and love.

I (Thang) am always thankful to God that He never abandoned us. And also thankful to the Lord for you all, for your concern and love. Humanly speaking, we don’t have any ability. We don’t have the skill, you know? Just only the heart. But you all have been graciously, lovingly helping us and helping our people, giving us hope, and life for the future, to look ahead. So I think that makes us to live for another future.

There has been great change and benefit in our ministry through the support that we received throughout the year. In 2025, ministry leaders adopted several new approaches compared to previous years. There was a stronger focus on empowering local leaders and sharing responsibilities more widely. Ministries also made greater use of technology, including online meetings, training sessions and remote communication. We have purposefully changed our ministry style in response to the realities of 2025. We focused more on sustainability than on fast growth. There was also increased focus on the emotional, spiritual and personal well-being of pastors and missionaries.

With your support, we were able to help refugees in different parts of our country, earthquake victims, a persecuted family, educational support for the children, rebuilding houses who are affected by the severe earthquake, providing urgent needs to orphan homes, providing women’s empowerment projects, helping to start ministry leaders’ economic projects, proving motorbikes for ministry leaders, Bible camps in refugee camps, evacuating families when their villages were attacked, and helping young men and women escape from the conscription law.

The People’s Defense Forces (PDF) are still advancing, in fact, fighting the [junta] regime. But the regime is supported by Russia and China, and that is why, for the people, it is difficult to win the battle.

But I (Pan) believe one day, the regime will lose, and the people will stand up for our country. And till today, I can say the regime cannot control us freely. It is by their gun only that people are afraid. Otherwise, the people will take power already. And the sham election that the junta was doing in 2025—they know we have more power—that’s why they are entering to the house and simply arresting and conscripting people. The junta bomb and do airstrikes, and they use missiles. They burn and they torture—they kill. But in the future, we still believe that the Lord will protect us and give us the people’s power to rule over us in the future.

The very bad thing for the people of Myanmar is that the major NGOs cut the aid, and the people are more struggling and more suffering because of USAID’s shutdown. When they cut the aid, that also affects the media like BBC, like VOA [Voice of America]—that means the news in Myanmar is not heard globally. It’s slowed us to be able to speak out to the world.

The victims [of the earthquake] are still suffering because the international aid was cut off. Of course, we could provide for some time. After that, they started suffering, struggling again and again, and many lives were impacted. Even right now, many people in the area, in the Mandalay region, they need help, even for their daily food, rebuilding their lives and so on. Because there is almost no major international NGO support for the long-term like there used to be. Of course, just like us, many Christian organizations are doing it from place to place, but it is never sufficient and enough for the people, because they are many, many victims. So we the Christians must stand during this type of challenge, though it is very dangerous for us to work. Otherwise, there is no way for the people to get help.

 “Even right now, many people in the area, in the Mandalay region, they need help, even for their daily food, rebuilding their lives and so on.”

We are very thankful for the work that the Lord has been entrusted to us, and it’s been because of your help and prayer.

We are very thankful for the work that the Lord has been entrusted to us, and it’s been because of your help and prayer. I (Pan) never thought that we would do such great things in 2025 for the earthquake victims and the war victims, the refugees, and also the different economic projects that we carried out were very great. Here are some of the recipients’ stories:

Yang*, who received food after the earthquake: “I had lost my wife and one of my daughters as our building was collapsed, and I also couldn’t save any of my belongings. I was full of tears and had nothing to do, but I prayed. The next day, my wife and my daughter’s bodies were taken out and they were found dead. I was in need of help and I had nothing in my hand. During that time, I received help from Pastor Mai* and his team, and the relief items were a great help to me. Praise the Lord for His goodness in my life!”

Nandar*, a teen boy whose family received financial support after the earthquake: “It is not easy to study during such an uncertain time, yet because of your help I now have the chance to sit in a classroom and learn, and I feel deeply moved and encouraged. The school fees you covered have lifted a huge burden from us, since we could not manage it ourselves. I will continue to try my best in my education so that, in the future, I can support others who are struggling just as you have supported me. I am forever thankful, and I pray that God will bless you abundantly for your kindness.”

Mr. Toe*, whose home was rebuilt after the earthquake: “We want to sincerely thank everyone who remembered us and reached out during our difficult moments. Your support meant so much, especially when we felt overwhelmed by everything that was happening. After the earthquake, you didn’t hesitate to come and help us, and your assistance to rebuild our house provided us comfort in a time of fear and uncertainty. Thank you to all of you—each person who helped make a difference. Through you, we have seen the goodness of God and felt His presence strengthening us through every step. Your compassion reminded us that God’s love shines brightest during hard times in our lives.”

Vial*, who was displaced by the war, shared her six-month update on the weaving project we supported: “I have been doing very well in my business till today. There were many challenges like fighting and bombing around us. But we are kept safe and continue till today. With this business, we had more income to meet the needs of our family. It supports my children’s school fees on time, and we distributed some help to our neighbors, as there were many facing lots of hardships and difficulties because of the fighting. What I could do was train two young women, and they are very much improving. My prayer is that the Lord will provide funds to begin a weaving business for their own so that they will be able to make money for their families, as their families are so much struggling.”

 “It is because of your prayers and sacrificial help, I escaped from the wicked hands of the junta leaders and I can continue my ministry here.”

Early in the year, Pastor Khin*, who is 67, was arrested, imprisoned and tortured for a month when the junta suspected him of supporting the rebels:

“It was a very hard time for me to be under the arrest of the junta. I was beaten several times; I was asked many critical questions which can cause me more danger for my life. When some of them came to know I am a missionary, they were angry with me and they asked me, ‘why do you become Christian, were you not born in a Buddhist family?’ Their attention increased more and more on me because they wanted to find faults in me. Every day, one time in the morning and one time in the evening, I have been stood before their military court and sometimes, when they were not happy with my answers to their questions, I was beaten and tortured. It is because of your prayers and sacrificial help, I escaped from the wicked hands of the junta leaders and I can continue my ministry here. The more I faced hardships, the more I was committed to serve the Lord. I know that I don’t have much time due to my age. So, I am committed to serve the Lord as much as I can, no matter where I stay. Now, there are many people who are around me who don’t know about the living God, who are refugees from different places. So, my prayer is to conduct a Bible camp to share the good news of Jesus Christ.”

Brother Khin reached to the refugee camp because of fear for the authorities  coming after him again. There also he made contact with many people, and he took time to see if they want to learn the word of God and of salvation. Then only he tried to organize a Bible camp. It took about four days, and we were able to support him. He invited people to come for the training, and we provided everything that they needed, like food and transportation. Everything was provided freely, so people are willing to come to listen. He invited two other missionaries who are working in the township, and the three of them taught the training. That was a very special moment for them. It is about salvation. It’s about the sin. It is about Jesus Christ, the love of God, and all those things. And I (Pan) appreciate brother Khin, as he was able to organize such things in a very, very remote place. The people are getting there as refugees, and everybody needs to hear about the hope.

 “Now, there are many people who are around me who don’t know about the living God, who are refugees from different places.”

We are afraid, yeah, to be honest, we are afraid. But we are so thankful that you all are our backbone, who pray for us and support us.

One of the most encouraging aspects of 2025 for us and for other ministry leaders was seeing faith and commitment remain strong despite many challenges. Even in difficult circumstances, believers continued to get together, serve and support one another. We are still alive, and our partners are alive. I’m (Thang) very thankful for that, for the faithfulness. They don’t give up wherever they are. They just witness, bring the Gospel, even under a bamboo tent. It is a great joy for me to see them sharing together the burdens and the food that you send. So I’m very thankful for that.

I have been praying for 2026, that out of this crisis, difficulty, fear, suffering, that we should not give up. Just do what we need to do. I just encourage people, because we thought this war would be finished within a few months or years, but this does not happen. Instead of waiting and praying, just do and pray. So that is my commitment for 2026.

You know, in Galatians 6:9, it says, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” The time is short and we don’t know how long it will be. We’re not perfect, but we should not regret what we do. So when we’re alive, do our best, like Hezekiah, saying, “Remember now, O LORD, I pray, how I have walked before You in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what is good in Your sight” (Isaiah 38:3).

Devotional

These stories from Myanmar come from believers who continue to serve even as villages are bombed, families flee their homes, and pastors face imprisonment. Their courage reflects the hope of Galatians 6:9, as they continue to do good work with the promise of a future harvest God has prepared.

1. In the midst of civil war, airstrikes, and displacement, 113 new believers were baptized and four new churches were planted. In a context where following Jesus can cost safety, income, or even freedom, people are still coming to faith. What does this contrast reveal about the comfort and stability of the American church, and how might it challenge the way you define “growth,” commitment, or spiritual hunger in your own congregation?

2. Ministry leaders escaping imprisonment, young adults fleeing conscription, families forced to relocate due to bombing. How do these realities impact how you view displaced people, asylum seekers, and refugees in your own community?

3. We see multiple examples of recipients of funding sharing those resources or opportunities with others, despite having little. Where in your life can you be more sacrificially generous?

4. Pastor Thang openly admits, “We are afraid . . . to be honest, we are afraid,” yet the report goes on to describe believers who keep gathering under bamboo tents, sharing food, witnessing, and choosing to “just do and pray.” Where in your own life are you waiting for fear to disappear before acting, and what might it look like to name your fear honestly, lean on the prayers of others, and remain faithful anyway?

View the full 2025 Impact Report below.