This week and next week’s stories are from Myanmar, where heavy investment is being made in Christian graduate education. Read on to hear the determination and impact this is having.

Some people ask us why our ministry, Myanmar Vision Ministries, invests so heavily in the graduate-level training programs of Eastern School of Graduate Studies (ESGS). This country of ours that is 87% Buddhist is struggling with persistent poverty; is still undergoing political uncertainty and difficulty; is regularly plagued by natural disasters; is the second largest opium producer in the world; is still facing civil unrest and ethnic fighting in certain regions; and, is trying to redefine itself in the wake of a new democracy and world attention. Why on earth would we put such an emphasis on theological training? Let me share a story out of dozens and dozens that I could tell.

San Lu, a young Burmese man living in Tibet, has crossed the Chinese border into Myanmar and back many times. Even at 24-years old, the eight day trip is a long, hard one by foot, from his Tibetan village to the northern region of Myanmar called Putao. From there, he continues his journey by plane or bus to Yangon, his final destination in southern Myanmar. His determination, stamina, dedication, and love of learning touched my heart immediately. For over two years now I have known San Lu, a current student in our graduate-level school.

He’s not just receiving a well-rounded evangelical education. He’s an on-fire student who seeks God and His will. I can see it in his face when I sit and talk to him. I can hear it in the words of the English he is now able to speak. I see it as he listens to his instructors, watches training videos, and participates in class. San Lu is an excellent student, a fast learner, and, in my opinion, a pastor in the making. He is the kind of disciple I think of when I think about God making us complete through our faithfulness to Him. I’m proud of San Lu and his decision to train at ESGS for future service to God.

Contributed by Khong