The coronavirus epidemic continues, and many countries have suspended all economic activities due to the fight against the epidemic, bringing a heavy burden to countless already-impoI greet you in the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Today, I write to you with a heavy heart, burdened by the urgent and pressing situation we face at Silver Lining Family Village in Myanmar.

As many of you know, the ongoing war in Myanmar has brought immense devastation. The nearby city of Lashio is currently experiencing intense fighting, and we anticipate that the conflict will soon spread to Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, which is close to Pyin Oo Lwin, where our village is located. If Mandalay falls under attack, Pyin Oo Lwin could become isolated, cutting off essential supplies and increasing the risk of our children being conscripted into the conflict.

The war in Lashio has been heartbreaking. We have witnessed many homes being destroyed and numerous civilians losing their lives. Our staff in Lashio have also suffered significant emotional trauma and now need time to recover. This harrowing experience has made it clear that we must protect our children and staff by relocating them to safer places before the conflict reaches our city.

To ensure the safety of our children and staff, we have prayerfully decided to relocate them during this window of opportunity before the conflict escalates further. We have identified two potential safe locations: Namhkam in Shan State and Yangon. After careful evaluation and seeking God’s guidance, we believe these two cities offer a more secure environment.

However, relocating such a large number of children and staff involves extensive logistical planning. We need to arrange accommodation and consider their education needs. This means finding places to house the families for at least two months and handling school transfer procedures for the children. Additionally, we need to purchase many daily necessities in the new locations. Given the numerous military checkpoints along the way, we also require government-issued travel permits to pass through safely. We are thankful that we have already obtained these permits, but we still need to apply for school transfer certificates for the children to continue their education uninterrupted.

For families relocating to Yangon, the children will be settled in schools there. Witnessing the number of children becoming orphans due to the war has deeply moved us, and we feel compelled by the love of Christ to respond to their needs. Therefore, we plan to establish a second Silver Lining Family Village in Yangon to accommodate more children and show them the love of Christ. The new village in Yangon will be able to take in at least 120 children, providing them with a safe and nurturing environment.

We need to raise approximately US$250,000 to cover the costs of the relocation and the establishment of the new village in Yangon. The majority of these funds will be used to build the new Silver Lining Family Village in Yangon. This includes accommodation, daily necessities, and education expenses for the children, as well as the resources needed to set up the new home.

We earnestly ask for your prayers and support in this critical time. Here are our specific prayer needs:
 

1. Safety and Protection: Pray for the safe relocation of our children and staff to Namhkam and Yangon.

2. Provision of Needs: Pray for the necessary funds to cover accommodation, daily necessities, and education expenses for the children.

3. Emotional Healing: Pray for emotional healing and recovery for our staff and children who have been traumatized by the war.

4. Establishment of New Home: Pray for the smooth establishment of the new Silver Lining Family Village in Yangon, that it may become a place of refuge and hope for at least 120 children.

5. Divine Guidance: Pray for God’s guidance and wisdom in every decision we make during this challenging time.

Your prayers and contributions will directly impact the lives of the children and staff, providing them with a safe haven and the stability they need to continue their growth and education amidst these challenging circumstances. We believe that God hears the cries of His children and responds through the hands and hearts of His people.

Updated on 26-7-2024