(June 26, 2023) Ross and Donna, Mandate Ministries, share from Chiang Mai, northern Thailand…

Ka-ren people
We continue to help the people of Ka-ren State, Myanmar with food, tents and other provisions, as well as prayer and encouragement.

The bombing and ground assaults continue, so we do what we can to alleviate their suffering. We can understand soldiers fighting soldiers, but when women and children are tortured, raped and brutally murdered, that has to be demonic. It’s a humanitarian crisis but also a spiritual warfare.

Recently a Ka-ren friend of mine was talking with two ladies in Ka-ren State. They were both 70 years old and said that they had never known a time in their entire lives when they were not fleeing from war and the Burmese (Myanmar) troops.

It’s hard to imagine, as we take our freedom for granted.

Karenni people flee
Another ethnic group in Myanmar that is suffering under the brutal illegal government is the Karenni. Due to the constant attacks on their villages, many have had to flee across the border into Thailand. However, their plight is by no means without its challenges. There is very little food and shelter available to them.

These war refugees are in great distress and have had to carry the bedridden, sick, elderly, disabled, and children to safe locations.

Our team from Thailand was able to bring rice and other foodstuffs, as well as tarps for makeshift shelters to these groups. Next week our team is taking blankets to a group of 160 Kar-en and Karenni who they recently brought to the Lord. These beautiful people are extremely grateful for any help they receive.

Golden Triangle Lahu Training
Last week Pastor Ian Peters and Ross conducted a 3-day leadership training program in Chiang Rai for Lahu pastors and church workers. They came from Lao, Myanmar and Northern Thailand, so we called it the Golden Triangle Leadership Training Program.

It was a wonderful time of teaching, impartation and prayer with these men and women who are so hungry for God. They have very little opportunity to study and learn together in programs like this and were deeply appreciative.

In the Mountains of Chiang Dao
Recently Ross and his Ka-ren friend Weerachai were invited to conduct ministry at a village high up in the mountains of Chiang Dao. It was humbling to spend time with Pastor Suphan, who pastors the Ka-ren church there.

A faithful servant of God, he even gave Ross his favourite traditional Ka-ren shirt!

On the way to the Ka-ren village in Chiang Dao, we stayed overnight in a Lisu village. The food was great and the mountain views even better.

Needs
Thanks again for your faithful prayers and support of every kind of our ministry to Asia.

___________________________________________
Ross and Donna, Mandate Ministries, have been missionaries to Asia for many years. Based in  Chiang Mai, they work with local pastors and church-planters, developing in-service leadership training programs that address challenges and issues unique to this area of Thailand. Link via OnlinerConnect@gmail.com
___________________________________________