1) Yangon, Myanmar is known as the "Land of the Pagodas" and Buddhist structures dominate the landscape as the main tourist attractions. 2) The author and family spent June 23-July 1, 2012 in Yangon hoping to bless the Christians there. 3) Most of their time was spent training 34 youth leaders from 12 churches across the city in 3 levels of the GYMN (Growing Youth Ministry Nationally) program to equip them for youth ministry.

1. GYMN
Myanmar
2012

2. Yangon is called
the Land of the
Pagodas, with
this dominating
structure being
one of the main
tourist attractions

3. This is just one
of the many
statues that
people worship
here--offering
food, drink and
money for
blessing.

4. A couple more
Buddhist
structures

5. An estimated 89% of people in
Myanmar are said to be Buddhists

6. We spent last June 23-July 1 of 2012
there as a family hoping to bless the
Christians in Yangon.

7. At the airport just before we leave

8. Tired from the journey

9. Most of our time was spent with 34 youth
leaders coming from some 12 churches across
the city.

10. In terms of GYMN Trainings, many seeds have
been sown in Myanmar. In this particular event
we have 3 levels of training.

11. Level 1 – The GYMN Level 1 is designed to help
equip people for youth ministry.

12. Level 2 – These are students who have taken the
basic curriculum. This advanced training is to
motivate and further equip them.

13. Level 3 – those who have undergone the trainings
and have been selected to teach it to others.

14. One encouragement for us is that Myanmar
people are mastering the training. Before this
event, there were around 150 youth leaders
trained by nationals

15. 1st day, 1st session at
Every Nation Church - Yangon

16. Day 1 of training, 3rd session

17. A purpose statement

18. Another purpose statement

19. Learning Tasks

20. Level 2 doing a workshop

21. Level 3 checking goals

22. Working on the annual plan

23. Graduation!

24. After the event we also got to be part
of a youth group.

25. It’s one way the training is being
applied by youth workers here.

26. Piper of course didn’t listen to the
message, but she made some friends.

27. Saturday afternoon we spent with one of our trainers,
Wadam Khong Khin. Aside from handling church work
God has also given him a ministry to orphans.

28. Final meet-up with our hosts.

29. Headed home.