One Woman With Heart

One Woman With Heart Myat (alias), a 40-year-old Christian woman, lives in Myanmar, a socialistic society crippled by poverty, discrimination, and oppression. As a believer, she was restricted to the confines of her village and was not allowed to stray beyond its boundaries.  And, because of her faith in Christ, she was also denied basic education and employment opportunities. In spite of her circumstances, God always faithfully provided for her needs. Eventually she was employed as a housekeeper for a missionary couple. Though thankful for this provision, Myat still felt ashamed that her Christian faith made it impossible for her to be gainfully employed in Burmese society. She begged God to provide work or tools to enable her to earn her own provision. Over the next seven years she continued to pray for this as God blessed her with a husband, and then a son. On a tragic day in 2008, Cyclone Nargis devastated her village and changed her life forever. Heart-broken over the plight of the many children orphaned by the storm, Myat adopted nine boys and girls. “My salary was no longer enough,” she said. “I wanted to bless others, but how could we? We were starving ourselves. My pastor encouraged us to share the gospel, saying God would feed us. But others said we should feed our stomachs first, before serving others.” Myat struggled against confusion and despair as she struggled to provide for her large new family. That's when God intervened, He chose that moment to bring the answer to her seven-years of praying. Open Doors learned of her needs and provided her with a brand new sewing machine, through a Livelihood Grant. With this new equipment, Myat has gone from barely surviving to earning more than enough for her family, and being able to bless others as well. “Because of your help, we are strengthened spiritually and physically. With this machine, I can make clothes for my own children and produce more for selling.”  One With Them Be One With Them as you praise God for women like Myat who strive to be faithful in the midst of oppression. Today, regardless of your circumstances, embody the “fruit of the Spirit” as you reach out and help someone in need. One With Them CHALLENGE Consider helping a persecuted woman provide for her family by providing vocational training. 4/8/2013