Missions Way Over There/Here? — Save Your Time and Money

Chin FestivalAccording to Google the country of Burma (now Myanmar) where the persecuted Chin people live is 8,560 miles away from Dallas, Texas. Hop an airline fight this morning and a roundtrip ticket would cost you about $1,309. It would take you one day and three hours to arrive. Not a cheap investment of time or money!

Is there a better way to get to know and help in the plight of the Chin, who by the way are a wonderful people?

Our changing global neighborhood has now brought the world to our door, including the Chin. Did you know that 44% of DFW residents are new Americans? Yes, you read that correctly, four in ten! And 32% of our homes do not speak English as their primary language at home according to the DFW International Community Alliance.

  • So what if I were to tell you that I could introduce you to a community of 3,500 Chin people who live not eight thousand miles away, but right here in Lewisville?
  • What if we could take the 54 hours round trip travel time and $1,307 airline ticket and divide it over one year, allowing for one hour per week and $25.13 to be given in a relationship with a Chin person or family?

Here’s the good news, I can!

Myanmar - Flag“With the help of the United Nations (UN), Chin people have been able to escape religious and political persecution by registering as refugees in the United States. Lewisville has become one of three major settlement sites in the country with over 3,500 Chin people living in the city [Lewisville].” ~ Kim Diggs, Star Local Media.

Tonight is the fifth annual Chin Cultural Festival hosted at the Lewisville High School Harmon Campus. “I still remember when we walked into the cafeteria and all of our [Chin] students showed up in their native clothing. We sat back and we couldn’t believe it. They just needed permission to do it and have the doors unlocked, and they were off.” ~ Andy Plunkett, LISD Central Zone Leader

You can read more about this event taking place tonight by following this link:

http://starlocalmedia.com/get_out/as-in-myanmar/article_d06c10a2-d436-11e5-a047-af6e099f599c.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share

For my church friends, I am sure you recognize that North America is now a mission field. God has truly brought the world to our door. The question is what will we do with communities like the Chin who for me live 3.4 miles from my front door. Would you consider a more effective use of time and money? What would it look like to build a relationship, one hour per week and/or $25 with a resettled Chin individual or family?

Chin Community MinistryFor more information on how to do this, contact Becky Nelson who leads Chin Community Ministry http://lewisvillechin.org whose mission is to “walk with our Chin brothers and sisters in Christ who live in Lewisville, TX. We help establish, equip, and engage the Chin by connecting them with American individuals, families and community resources to help meet their practical, emotional and spiritual needs as they begin a new life in America.”

Loving Community,

Jim

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  1. Gwen February 17, 2016 at 1:34 pm · ·

    Springfield has an ever growing population of Chin families resettled from St. Louis. They are mainly farmers and struggled in the St. Louis area due to lack of skills. The families are flourishing outside of Springfield and are a major contributors at our local farmer’s markets. Cassie taught in a migrant math summer school and enjoyed the 3-5 grade Chin students.
    Thanks for spotlighting the Chin population.

    Gwen

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