JoAnne and I Attended Burmese Bible School Graduation

What a joy for JoAnne and I to attend Burmese Bible School (BBS) graduation on Saturday, Oct. 1.  The school has been organized to meet the need for pastors to serve the burgeoning population of Burmese speaking immigrants.  Many of these immigrants are Christians as they come from ethnic groups influenced by the tremendous pioneering missionary ministry of Adoniram Judson.  Both Pastor Eric and I have occasionally taught at the school along with many other pastors from our district.   It is taught in Burmese so we teach through a translator. I have taught courses in church leadership and in homiletics.  Pastor Eric has taught theology.  One of the greatest joys was to see the three Burmese churches of our district all gathered to celebrate with the graduates.  Youth choirs from the mainly Chin congregation at Midler Avenue and from the chiefly Karen congregation at Utica and from the Burmese group at Lyncourt all sang as did the BBS choir.  I was impressed with the thought as I saw all the Burmese faces:  I am helping to train shepherds for all these.  It is a big privilege and also a weighty responsibility.