April 3rd, 2008 - Provision

Last Fall's Burma demonstration's did not result in more serious consequences. Praise God!  The Christian workers at the school for Wa children and young people are all safe and classes are all running normally. 

It looked like this semester there would be a lack of teachers but God stirred brothers and sisters to go and help. The semester started with sufficient teachers. 

On March 5th, after the graduating ceremony, the teachers and students began to clean-up the campus.  All of a sudden, a 3rd grade student (about 10 years old) had his ear cut by another student working next to him with a grass knife.  He started bleeding, but fortunately there was a hospital not far where the nurse applied four stitches (he has since recovered).  That child was very brave and did not weep and holler--thank the Lord!  It gave us the shivers when we realized that if it had been a little higher or lower it could have been really serious.  

Because agriculture products are not easy to sell to nearby countries and provinces, the Wa have developed comparatively longer term crops, for example, rubber.  Over a year ago in many provinces of southern Wa, they began planting many rubber trees.  Starting in 2007, the villagers of M were sent to the forest to clear out fields to prepare for the planting of the rubber trees on the hillside.  The project is vast and often a group of people will live there for over a month.  The living conditions are very difficult.  It's fortunate that this winter the weather was mild and thus there were few people sick. 

But some people got injured from chopping down trees.  The father of one of our 5th grade students died from serious injuries when a tree fell on him.  That child now has to help his mother care for five younger siblings and had to discontinue school. 

In order not to plant opium, the Wa moved to Sourthern Wa district to begin planting: terracing hills, clearing fields, making roads, and digging irrigation and drainage ditches all for the planting of either tea, coffee, fruit, or rubber trees. They have exerted tremendous effort and personal cost. 

A half year ago, the 6th grade class had 15 students, but now because of various reasons, one after another they had to discontinue.  Now we only have 7 students.  During the vacation break, we have continued to offer a computer course, and had a four week class to help them review for the middle school entrance exam hoping they will be able to pass.  Last year, the three alumni who passed the middle school exam returned for Spring break.   At middle school, they have had good grades and demonstrated outstanding character not only giving us great comfort, but also encouraging the 6th grade class. 

Recently, there have been several weddings involved some graduates from the school and also from the discipleship class.  Praise God for Wa young people, who love the Lord, coming together to form a Christian family!