Burma (Myanmar)

A bit of background: My Aunt Htway is a political refugee from Burma (Myanmar), she fled during the late 1980's to the United States. She was a teacher at the time and stood up for her student's rights. Many of her students, along with many, many others, protested against the corrupt government. She watched many of her students be killed and she was told she had to sign a loyalty allegiance to this government or be put into prison. As she felt she had no other option, she left the country and became a political refugee. Her family has remained in Burma.(For a little more info see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/8888_Uprising or Google Student uprising 1988 burma)

After living in the states for a while, she met and married my Uncle Bruce. Through a long process (and a sponsorship from my parents) she was able to obtain her US Citizenship. It was a very exciting time because she had not been able to return to Burma to see her family in a long long time. After visiting family, my Aunt, Uncle, and newly born cousin Chatt decided to move to Cambodia & later Nepal to serve as missionaries for an organization called "Food for the Hungry". My Uncle (who is a civil engineer) helped engineer and build wells for clean drinking water, while my Aunt and Cousin taught people about hygiene and did a little bit of proselyting, teaching people about Jesus Christ. A few years ago, they finally came back to the States, and my Uncle Bruce started working a normal 8-5 type of job. Chatt (my cousin) is now 9 or 10. Now that the background info is pretty much exhausted...my Aunt recently received a call from her family in Burma calling and asking her to come and help. So as the email below reads, she and my cousin will be leaving soon. I thought the information was worth sharing. Please keep the people of Burma (Myanmar) in your prayers!

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Dear Families and Friends,

As you know recently a severe cyclone hit Burma (Myanmar). Many people are facing very difficult times. By the grace of God, my immediate family had been spared by the storm, only one of my brother's house roof was gone. However, many, many of the poor in Burma are suffering. You may have seen in the news that initial shipments of food and supplies have been blocked or diverted by the government.

Because of these and many other reasons, Htway has decided to go to Burma to work directly to help the actual needs. There are several churches and orphanages that we have been involved with over the years many of which are now destroyed or severely damaged. Chatt and I will be leaving to Taipei, Taiwan on May 13. We have arranged through friends at the UN to be able to secure a visa through the Burmese Consular office in Hong Kong. We should have our visas around the end of the week or early next week and will then continue on to Burma. While we are in Burma, we will be working with the churches and orphanages there and generally for the poor as opportunities arise.

Please consider this matter and pray about contributing to the needs there. Chatt and I obviously cannot meet the vast range of needs. But, we can go and do what God has asked us to and you can be our sender to be God's hands in this area of need. Thank you for your prayers and your support.

Contributions can be made through Olive Drive Church, 5500 Olive Drive, Bakersfield, CA 93308 with a note in the memo field "Burma Relief Fund".

Thank you & Blessings,

Htway & Chatt Aiton

Pray for:

1. the visa will grant
2. the people who lost their families
3. the people who are suffering
4. the safety and health of our trip
5. the project financial assistance for the orphanages shelter before monsoon comes
6. the safety of the people who are doing relief work.
7. the country, government and the military forces to have mercy on the people of Myanmar.

Bruce, Htway & Chatt with Logan and my nieces a couple Christmas' ago.