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As I heard the estimate, tears came to my eyes. The death toll from the cyclone in Burma [also known as Myanmar] could reach

100,000. 100,000 people! Just think of the shattered families. Ruined

homes. Devastated villages.Most people in Burma battle daily to just eke out an existence. Although resource-

rich, the country is ruled by a military junta that imposes many restrictions. The cyclone was a cruel blow to a population already struggling.

I fi rst visited Burma about 15 years ago. I still remember the shock of seeing for the fi rst time gangs of small children out in the blazing sun building roads by hand—one rock at a time.

The church has worked in Burma since 1919. We’re thankful for the 25,000 church members. But in the face of a population of 48 million people, most Buddhist or Animist or a mixture of both, the church struggles to grow. Most members come from among minority tribes such as the Karen and Chin, and not from the majority Burmese Buddhist population.

I remember the day when 540 people were baptized in Rangoon. A young girl looked straight into my eyes without blinking. I was the fi rst white person she had ever met. She was among a small group from an Animist village in the Irrawaddy re-gion. It was their fi rst visit to the capital, Rangoon. And they had come to be baptized.

A student at Myanmar Union Adventist Seminary had regularly visited their village to share the good news. He taught the children songs and stories about Jesus, and they decided to follow Him and be baptized.

I’ve often wondered what became of that young girl from the Irrawaddy Delta, where the cyclone hit hardest not too long ago. Some 6,500 church members live in the Irrawaddy. Only time will tell how many lost their lives. Thank you for your prayer-ful support of Global Mission, which shares hope throughout the world—even in remote Animist villages in the Irrawaddy region of Burma.

In Christ,

Gary KrauseAdventist Mission director

For years the Adventist Church has made no progress in reaching the Leeso tribe in Northern Burma. This large group of 1.2 million people lives in

an area of Southeast Asia that extends from Burma into China, Thailand, Laos, and Eastern India. Then two years ago, using Global Mission’s method of living in a community and befriending people where they live and work, Global Mission pioneer Tumbo was able to start a small congregation a couple of hours outside Mandalay.

Then tragedy struck. Tumbo died in a car accident. A member of Tumbo’s group, Mejana, decided to carry on the ministry. Like many Global Mission pioneers, Mejana partners with his wife, Mary, in ministry. They feel a responsibility to continue sharing the gospel within the Leeso tribe. Mejana helps meet people’s spiritual needs and Mary specializes in meeting people’s social needs. Through their ministry the group continues to grow. Please pray for these two pioneers as they tell the world about a loving Savior in Northern Burma.

To support Global Mission work in Southeast Asian countries, such as Burma, support Fund #7100.

P R A Y E R J O U R N A L P R A Y E R J O U R N A L P R A Y E R J O U R N A L

In Western Kenya, Global Mission pioneer Isaiah Okemwa is reaching out to the unreached who work on the Monire Tea Estates.

“I was sent to an unentered area of Kenya. It was so hard to start,” says Isaiah.

On the tea estates people are allowed only one day to worship, Sunday. The tea company’s policy is that people can only take off that day. Isaiah says, “I went to the management, and they said there was no way that I could start my Sabbath worship, so I started looking for a solution.”

He started by going to the general manager of the tea estate. At fi rst, the manager was resistant, but over time Isaiah convinced the manager to let him hold a weekly church service on Sabbath. There’re now some 130 people who meet each week in two different groups to study the Bible together. So far, 60 people have been baptized. “I am very joyous and grateful for God who has done wonders since where we had no place of worship, we now have two,” says Isaiah.

To support Global Mission work in East and Central African countries such as Kenya, support Fund #6100.

P rov ided fo r your use dur ing da i l y devot ions . P rov ided fo r your use dur ing da i l y devot ions . P rov ided fo r your use dur ing da i l y devot ions .

J U L Y

B U R M A

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On May 3 Cyclone Nargis struck the western coast of Burma. Many Global Mission small groups meet outside under the trees or in people’s homes to worship. The cyclone destroyed many of these “houses of worship.” Please pray for the people of Burma and Global Mission pioneers as they rebuild their lives.

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Global Mission pioneers are working throughout Mexico to take the gospel of Christ to everyone that they meet. Their work is not always easy and they must trust God to lead them each day. Please pray for these pioneers and other frontline Adventist workers who are telling the world about Christ.

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Please pray for Global Mission work in Kenya and other East and Central African countries. This region has recently faced social unrest and needs stability. Pray that God’s people will fi nd ways to comfort those around them and show them that Christ has a plan for their lives.

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For two months Global Mission pioneers Claudia Rodriguez and Flor Rocha had been working in the city of Calera, in Zacatecas, Mexico, going

house-to-house offering free studies on the Bible. On this day they were headed to what they thought was a new housing development.

When they arrived and peered through the front windows of the build-ing, Claudia and Flor discovered that it wasn’t an apartment building, but an offi ce complex. They considered skipping this building because most people don’t have time to talk to them at work. But the two felt impressed that they should go in anyway. As they did, they noticed a man standing in the lobby.

The man, Reuben, came over to them and asked what they needed. Claudia and Flor explained that they were offering a free Bible study series. Reuben was so impressed with the women’s sincerity that he decided to study with them.

As the number of the people Claudia and Flor were studying with grew they decided to hold weekly services in their small apartment. Then Reuben offered to lend them his offi ce. They’re still holding services there each weekend. Now four people are baptized members of the Adventist Church, including Reuben. Another three people plan to be baptized soon. Please pray for Claudia and Flor’s ministry.

To support Global Mission work in Inter-American countries such as Mexico, support Fund #6400.