Dear Friends,
My application for a business visa to go to Myanmar has been rejected. The official at the counter had done his best to help. He took the trouble to telephone me to say that the application was rejected. The officer(s) concerned probably smelt that I was not a true businessman, although my application was aboveboard, using our literature company, Good News Enterprise. I took back my passport with resignation to God, whose will is beyond comprehension. I have tried very hard to get a visa, including writing to the Embassador, and trying to see his First Secretary. We have prayed. We must now accept God’s will.
While applying for the visa, I came to know a genuine businessman who has invested plenty of money in Myanmar. He was given a business visa for a short visit to the country. He is a member of a Methodist church whose two pastors are known to me. He has agreed to bring in some money for us to Brother M in Yangon, who is in need of help. I have managed to contact Brother M’s daughter. The orphanage run by his church was destroyed by the cyclone. The church building is partially damaged, but still usable. All the orphans are now housed together with his large family in the church premises.
Brother J seems to be relatively untouched by the cyclone. Brother Z’s church seems to have suffered quite severe damages. Prices of food and commodities have gone up to more than twice what they were before the cyclone. Fuel for vehicles is rationed, each vehicle being allowed two gallons every three days. Not all roads are accessible. Access to the delta region, where the cyclone hit directly, is not allowed by the army. Only a small handful of foreign helpers have been allowed in, including a thirty-two members team from Malaysia. Even so, there is no certainty that they will be involved directly in the relief effort.
I will attempt to visit Myanmar as soon as possible, probably in the middle of June. Given the situation, it would not be beneficial to raise funds unless we are prepared to channel them to the Myanmar government. Our purpose of “doing good to all, especially to the household of faith” would not be effectively accomplished. Churches that have not made any collection for Myanmar might want to hold on until more definite news is available. Churches that have already made collections might want to transfer the funds through us to our contacts in Myanmar. We have been supporting two Reformed Baptist churches and are in touch with other Reformed brethren in that nation. The details of our bank account are as below:
Bank : CIMB Bank Berhad
Branch Address : Subang Indah, 101 Jalan PJS 11/2, Subang Indah, 46000 PJ.
A/C No. : 1272-0000122-05-8
A/C Name : Damansara Church
SWIFT Code: CIBBMYKL
You will need to write to me to state the amount of money sent in, when it was sent, and state that it is for Myanmar Disaster Relief. An acknowledgment will be made when we receive the money. For the moment, we expect a one-off contribution from those churches that have made collections for that purpose. Therefore, this is not to be taken as an appeal for funds for Myanmar.
We will keep you informed of developments. Thank you for fellowship in the Lord’s work.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~