From the field...

How do the leaders respond to the question, "What did you learn in an Aquila Project training session?"

Here are some responses from the Myanmar Leaders...

The focus of our teaching institutes was Mission Principles as we taught the Book of Acts. Some of the comments from students included:

o How suffering played a part in the expansion of the ministry of Paul. It is nothing strange to suffer for the Gospel.

o To see through the book of Acts that the same Holy Spirit that was present then is present today in our ministries.

o Ed Adams teaching Paul’s missionary journeys in Yangon, MyanmarThat we should (like Paul/Barnabas) praise the Lord in the face of hard times.

o Paul did not just share the Gospel on his missionary journeys, but has given us the example that we must also appoint and develop leaders.

o That we should share the Gospel to all people (the vision of Peter {Acts 10} where God declared that “all are clean”.

o If we want to be used by God (effectively) then we must be filled with the Holy Spirit.

o I learned about the need of contextualization of the message of the Gospel. We must use different methods for reaching different people. {response to lesson on Acts 16}

o We must prepare for difficulty and hardship in our ministries.

o God calls us to be faithful no matter what circumstances we face.

o I was encouraged as we studied and saw the zeal of Paul.

o The attitude of Paul encouraged me – he did not worry, he just trusted the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Typical of the issues that these leaders face is evident in the following testimony: Pastor Myaung shared that government officials closed down his church seven months ago. The eighty members have not been allowed to meet together in homes; they can only worship in their own home with their own family. They are under great scrutiny from the government and those in the community who would be considered “informers”. The church members are very discouraged and Pastor Myaung has shared that discouragement.

But as we studied the book of Acts, Pastor Myaung saw the boldness of Peter, Paul, and the followers of Christ. He has decided to “go for it” and gather his church back together despite the consequences. Pray for the power of the Holy Spirit to be upon them.

Thanks for taking this journey with us!

David