It is with great joy that I write to you again, eager to share the remarkable ways God is moving here in Burma. Your prayers and support have been a source of strength and encouragement as George and I labor together to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Today, I want to tell you about Ko Tha Byu, a man whose transformation speaks to the boundless grace of God, and the beginnings of a new work among the Karen people.

Ko Tha Byu was not a man most would have seen as a candidate for salvation. By his own admission, his life had been marked by violence and wrongdoing. He told us that he had taken the lives of many, and his reputation among his people was one of fear and disdain.

When we first met him, it was clear he had lived a life of hardship. Yet, beneath his hardened exterior, there was a stirring—a deep need for something greater. George felt strongly that we should not pass him by, and so we began to share with him about the love of Christ.

The change in Ko Tha Byu has been nothing short of miraculous. As we shared the gospel with him, explaining that Jesus had come to seek and save the lost, his heart began to soften. Slowly but surely, the Holy Spirit worked in him, and he came to believe in the power of Christ’s forgiveness.

Ko Tha Byu’s baptism was a moment of immense joy. To witness a man, once so lost in darkness, now proclaim his faith in Jesus was a reminder of why we are here. His testimony has already begun to impact those around him, especially among the Karen people, his own community.

The Karen are a people with a rich culture and history, yet many live without knowledge of the gospel. As Ko Tha Byu shares his newfound faith, doors are opening for us to engage with them more deeply. The Karen have a remarkable oral tradition, and they are eager to hear stories. We are working to share the story of God’s love in ways that resonate with their culture, using their own language whenever possible.

We have started to see small gatherings where Karen villagers listen as we read from the Bible and share the hope of salvation. There is much work to be done, but we are encouraged by their openness and curiosity.

As this work begins to grow, so do the challenges. We face barriers of language, culture, and distance, yet we trust that God will continue to lead the way.

We ask for your prayers in these specific areas:

Every victory here is a reflection of your partnership in this mission. Your prayers, encouragement, and generosity sustain us in this work. As we step into this new chapter among the Karen, we are reminded that we are part of a much larger body of believers, united in purpose.

In Philippians 1:6, we are reminded, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” We hold fast to this promise as we continue to labor in the fields where God has placed us.

Thank you for walking alongside us as we share the hope of Christ in Burma. Your prayers are making an eternal impact, and we are humbled to be your hands and feet in this corner of the world.

With love and gratitude,
George & Sarah