Shan Dai Advocacy

#16 His next verse: Prince of Peace come to Burma

Tension is rising in Burma (Myanmar) again. The military government (SPDC) have doubled the price of fuel and there have been demonstrations in Yangon. Elsewhere in the country too there is talk of possible fighting. As the “government” gets to the end of its discussions on creating a new constitution the pressure to strive for one army over all of Burma is creating tension with ethnic minorities who have their own armies. Many of these armies have fragile ceasefire agreements with the SPDC. One man recently said, “We don’t want to resort to arms, we want to live peacefully, but the Burmese army come and take all of our produce leaving us with nothing. We have no alternative but to leave our homes and protect ourselves.” Please join us in praying for the Prince of Peace to rule in Burma.
Isa 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Yesterday, we had the privilege to host nearly 40 servants among the Shan/Tai/Dai. These God has called out from several countries represented work going on within Thailand, Burma and China. The one day retreat was a time of Praise to God for His goodness, honest reflection on the year with Psalm 66 as our guide and focused prayer for each who serve. Please pray that the relationships that were strengthened through time together in the living room would be a wonderful start to the Tai Consultation happening this week and for God’s guidance lead on to the joyful expansion of His Kingdom.
The devotional from Nehemiah in His First Bible talks of communal living. We are so thankful that although miles may separate prayer partners from one another, yet we labor together for a common good for the Praise and Glory of our Everlasting Father.
With love and thanksgiving to God for you,
The ShanDai advocacy team.

For more information on the current protests in Burma, read this article.

#15 His Next Verse: Titus!

!!!First Completed Book in the Shan Dai Bible!!!

A wonderful prayer opportunity for all praying for the Shan Dai: the book of Titus is almost completely translated into the Shan Dai Language…God please bless the translation team with your wisdom, and for all who will be testing the newly translated Titus give to them understanding, and Lord, for the Shan Dai believers may the letter that Paul originally wrote to Titus encourage them on in holy living that many would long to know you and your love. Amen!

When we see the panorama view of the market in the devotional for Titus, please keep people like these in mind the next time we read through the 3-chapter book, being thankful to God for the Bible in our own heart language. Thank you for your on-going prayers for the on-going Bible translation.
Titus 3:4-8 4 God our Savior showed us how good and kind he is. He saved us because of his mercy, and not because of any good things that we have done. God washed us by the power of the Holy Spirit. He gave us new birth and a fresh beginning. God sent Jesus Christ our Savior to give us his Spirit. Jesus treated us much better than we deserve. He made us acceptable to God and gave us the hope of eternal life. This message is certainly true.

#14 His Next Verse: What is the most important commandment?

Part of the Bible translation process is testing the translated texts in several Dai locations. This was done recently for the first set of Bible texts and very good feedback was given. ”They can understand and follow the stories well. I think our materials really get into some people’s hearts. One guy in Mg even asked if he can keep the copy though he can’t read it by himself. Some really agreed along with the texts especially those guys who have ministry in the temple but they are not monks. They like the text a lot especially the great commandment from Matt 22:34-40”.

Lord, as we ponder the question, “What is the most important commandment?” may we not just know it in our heads, but live it in our choices. May we and the Shan Dai truly “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul and all your mind…and love your neighbor as yourself.” (From Matt 22:34-40)
Thank you for your prayers for the Shan Dai as Bible translation continues.