Ministry Update: Mustard Seed Orphanage (Myanmar)

Two board members from the Australian Mustard Seed Organization had the opportunity to visit Mustard Seed Orphanage earlier this year, which was an answer to prayer with the difficulties of traveling to Myanmar in the current political climate. They thank the Lord for providing and directing their entire visit, especially for allowing them to enter the country and keeping them safe while there. They shared observations and a brief update from the work there.

One major change to directly affect our orphanage centers is the government’s current withdrawal of direct education provision to older children in what would equate to our year 10 to 12 students. Instead, there is now a requirement for these schoolchildren to access all teaching online. This requirement, of course, is unrealistic for most children in Myanmar other than the most wealthy with access to the internet and the means to own laptops, etc. Consequently, the students are not receiving the education they require…For us at Mustard Seed, it provides another challenge whereby we see the need to provide our kids with the tools they need, such as computers, and a dedicated quiet studying place, such as a library.

Another issue discovered was the regularly low and inconsistent supply of electricity. On most days in Yangon, it was available for a few hours each day and at irregular intervals. It was worse at Ebenezer, where the power was off the entire day the guys were visiting.

While at the orphanage centers, the children were audited to check their current age, health, education level, English reading competence, plans and hopes for their future, and a general sense of well-being. It seems “children” may no longer generally be the appropriate term as, over the years, many of our once very young orphans have now blossomed into mature and sweet-natured teenagers and young adults. Many have stayed at MSO to continue their education at Hosanna Bible College. For others, it is a dilemma as the present environment does not offer good employment opportunities or safe accommodation elsewhere. This is a situation the board is well aware of and continuing to seek God’s wisdom and direction for solutions.

This trip was timely as the board members were able to attend the graduation ceremony of the 2022 Hosanna Bible College students. Hosanna Bible College is an outreach of Mustard Seed providing solid theological training to those seeking to further their knowledge of God or considering serving as pastors, teachers, and missionaries to their local communities….Both men were struck by the humbleness and gratitude from everyone that the two men had been willing to make the trip to see them, given the current environment and security risks.