GENERAL BOARD OF GLOBAL MINISTRIES

Laos Mission Initiative

(Emmanuel and Beverly F. Barte)

Date: March 26, 2010

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

A blessed Easter!

Our new mission journey here in Laos started in January 18, 2010 when our whole family landed to the Wattana International Airport as tourists and strangers, yet with the definite plan to spend a part of our lives in this another foreign country. It is our second travel to Laos as our family spent Christmas here in December, 2008 for ocular visit and discernment. The trip included our children who spent most of their lives in Cambodia. We were just truly tourist the first time, hosted by the former GBGM personnel assigned here. This time is quite different because we are here to stay, without even being sure if we would be granted a visa. Honestly, we could not help feeling anxious and uncertain being in another strange land with a different form of government, different language, new people, and no other GBGM colleagues’ presence upon our coming, and most especially where we could not be visible missionaries. The couple assigned before us had to be back in USA due to the sickness of the wife. While in Cambodia, we were eleven (11) GBGM personnel so that is a big change. Upon our arrival here, we were welcomed by a new acquaintance. It took two weeks before we got connected with our own Methodist brothers and sisters. Thanks to some tuktok drivers who can speak some English, the availability of Lao-English dictionaries and phrasebooks, and the similarities of some Khmer and Lao words (particularly in numbers which has helped has manage to bargain with fares and goods in the market). Thus, we have managed our early part of transition well. Thanks also to some Singaporean Christian friends who are running an English School in Laos for assisting us in various ways. God really sends angels to show His love and assistance to those in need.

Indeed, God has been so good and gracious! Our children got settled in the Vientiane International School and are adjusting very well. The pre-exposure for the whole family has prepared their mindset and emotions. We found a nice place to stay with a nice garden which is a good place for meditation, where the kids can play, and where birds come to rest in the trees and grasses while they sing their sweet praises to the Creator.

We are in our beginner’s language lessons. We have started visiting churches, together with the Lao Mission Council leader and a young woman named Noi, who has been our interpreter, so we get to know our brothers and sisters who have been so brave to hold on to the Christian faith despite the limitations set by the government and occasional harassment they experience for choosing to be Methodists. Moreover, the visits enable us to listen to their needs. We are in the orientation stage, and at the same time in consultation with the church leaders, women and youth groups as we aim to work together in carrying out and enhancing the various ministries/programs of the church. ( Phattana Congregation- Worship)

Hopefully, we could find a way soon to set up the vocational training we are planning for the youth and young adults, a duplicate of the Faith Engine Ministry that Emmanuel set up in Cambodia, but with the addition of vocational skills for young women. We also plan to start a Language Institute and use the English language to reach out, and to promote Lao Literacy. I (Beverly) on the other hand would be assisting to enhance Christian Education and various church programs .

With only three churches we have visited so far, there are already several needs identified as effect of poverty: poor health, lack of education, poor living conditions, lack of livelihood opportunities, out of school youth, and others. The youth in the Khamu congregation shared that most of them would go only as far as primary school, then they stop schooling and find some work to help their families. The needs are overwhelming but God has been in this country and with this people from the beginning of times, so I believe God would respond to their needs in due time, through brothers and sisters committed to reach out to those in need.

The good news is, there is so much hope for a better life! Some of our Methodist families have mushroom farms that some of our brothers and sisters from abroad supported through their love gifts. Others borrow money from other people so they could start their own mushroom farm. We have seen and witnessed how the church members help one another prepare the mushroom beds without expecting any payment for their service and not even some snacks. A lunch /dinner may be served but they work from early morning until about 9:00 p.m. . It’s just so humbling and heart-warming!

( Emmanuel Learns Mushroom Farming)

There are many more families who would benefit from mushroom farms and other livelihood skills. A micro-credit and cooperative programs would be very beneficial in this setting since I could see their perseverance in pursuing their projects to improve their living, and their sense of community was just invaluable .

We are just in the beginning of our mission journey here… we do not know what is yet to come. But one thing I have always believed in my heart and what we have experienced as a family, is that, “… our God, our Resurrected Christ, will never leave us nor forsake us…” . In March 24, 2010, our whole family has received our one year Business visa to stay in Laos. Thanks to Sharon English School, through the Director Rev. Daniel Baik, a Korean Methodist, our sponsoring institute.

As we celebrate the Easter Season, we praise the living God who has called us in this place despite our imperfections, our lack of knowledge and skills particularly in this new setting, as well as our fears for the unknown and the welfare of the family. We thank the GBGM for her commitment to the mission field as well as to the missionaries. Thanks to the mission personnel for all the trust and for never failing us. We have been so blessed. We lift up unto our gracious God all our cares. We know we cannot do this journey by ourselves, but we would be able to carry on because of the community of faith, the congregations, walking with us in this journey.. YOU! Thank you for all your love, prayers and support. Shalom!!

New Mailing Address: Emmanuel and Beverly Barte

P.O. Box 213

Muang Nongkhai District

Nongkhai 43000 THAILAND

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