Dear Friends,

I had an extended conversation with Steven & Julie on Friday morning, Dec 26.  She was a little shaken because government fighter jets bombed her hometown earlier in the day - eleven people were killed.  She talked to her sister soon afterward, who was safe, but said that all churches are closed since they could be targeted by the junta.  No one is going outside because young people are being arrested without any reason. Julie suggested that they come to Yangon, but they learned that the roads are already blocked.

I asked if they should leave the country, but once again, Julie said they are trusting God for their safety.  They’ve dedicated their lives to the spreading the gospel in Myanmar and the people need them.  They’ve seen a greater openness to the gospel. People have told S&J that the Christian God is the only god that loves them and is concerned for them.

Six students at the Training Center came to faith in 2025. We are thankful they are being discipled daily by godly teachers who teach Bible stories and Christian songs.  S&J are planning to increase their home visitation in the IDP camp, as increased personal interaction will better convey the love of Christ.

The AWM Christmas party was a hit.  They warmed hearts with love and stomachs with a hot meal, and then gave bags of rice to go. They also gave unexpected gifts of blankets since it gets cold at night in Dec thru Feb – even in Myanmar.

I asked S&J if they’re happy, and they said despite the war and difficulties, they have joy in their walk and work for the Lord. Our first-world problems seem so small when compared to their daily difficulties and stress.  But the joy of the Lord is real and they know His peace, which is beyond all comprehension.

It is an honor for AWM to uphold this tiny ministry in Myanmar.  Steven & Julie’s annual salary has been generously provided by a special donor, but we still require funding for IDP relief trips, teacher salaries, and Training Center upkeep. We would be so grateful if you would consider helping in a financial way to strengthen this work.  On the other hand, a hearty thanks to you who have already given or are regular supporters of AWM – you are truly appreciated!

May the Lord bless you with a beautiful 2026!

In our Lord’s service,

Don

Dear Friends,

One of the highlights of 2025 was to travel to Israel to shoot a video series about The Messiah in the Appointed Times.  It was thrilling to record videos in locations where Jesus actually fulfilled the prophesies.  The Lord truly blessed with a fantastic travel-group, perfect weather and perfect peace – everything came together like clockwork.

We are working with Fort Worth Bible Church to integrate the videos into the 2026 church calendar and writing a companion book, entitled The Appointed Times in Christian Worship to help churches around the world integrate these special teachings into their worship.

Myanmar

So many things happened in Myanmar this year... Steven & Julie conducted – IDP mission trips to more than 2,000 IDPs.  With hands of love, they distributed food and the gospel.  From March thru July, they made multiple trips to Mandalay, Naypyidaw, Shan State, and Sagaing to provide relief to earthquake victims, distributing the gospel, food, relief supplies, and more than 300 water purifiers.  Julie also taught Healing the Wounds of Trauma to the church leaders from Myanmar Baptist Convention, earthquake victims in Mandalay, and to Myanmar refugees in Malaysia.

Meanwhile, the AWM Training Center is heavily utilized with the afternoon classes for Grades 1-5, weekly prayer, youth meetings, children’s Sunday School, and Sunday worship services. Seminars included: Evangelism Training, Christian Family, How to Study the Bible, Mental Health Awareness, and Trauma Healing, along with a fun Sports Day for students.  One of the most exciting events will be our upcoming Christmas Celebration for 200+ people, including unbelieving neighbors.  A hot lunch, and Christmas drama will be the highlights.

Thanks so much for being a part of this work of the Kingdom – the Lord is using you to make great things happen.  May He bless you with a meaningful Christmas!

Love in Christ,

Dearest Friends,

I had the sweetest time with Steven & Julie via Zoom, this morning.  They are so thankful that you have given them the ability to serve in the Kingdom of God through your gifts.  Steven just returned from Kyaukse, a city near Mandalay, where he and his friend distributed 100 water purifiers.

Perhaps you heard about the childcare-school in Kyauske that collapsed, taking the lives of 40 students and nine teachers.  Steven learned through Pastor Jeremiah that one of the teachers covered three of the students with her body as the building collapsed – she lost her life, but the three students survived.

It turns out that this young lady was the daughter of a local pastor, who, of course, was terribly grieved.  But when the community heard her story and learned that she was a Christian, many unbelievers came to the pastor and ultimately came to faith in Christ – more people are asking questions about the Faith because of this tragedy.  This turn of events revived and encouraged the grieving pastor when he realized that his daughter’s death brought life to many.

The pastor told Steven that he would arrange for him to speak to this community if he would bring another load of water purifiers to Kyaukse – a clear call that we will certainly answer!  Indeed, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. (John 12:24)

How to use this thing…

Thanks for all you do for Ancient Words – the Lord is certainly working through you to bring Living Water to Myanmar!

Love in Christ,

Don

Hello Friends!

Please accept my apologies for my delay with this note re. Myanmar earthquake victims. I have been experiencing issues with my primary email system and will be sending updates through this Gmail account... until it breaks 🫤.

Nonetheless, a BIG thanks to all who stepped up to help the Myanmar earthquake victims! Steven traveled to Mandalay and had a successful trip, distributing rice, water, and essentials to more than 1,000 households. He also lent a hand to other relief organizations, to help them distribute their supplies.  I have appended his note below.

Prophet of Gloom...

I hate to be a prophet of gloom, but there is something looming that you should know about. As you can see from the above picture, people are living in tents that were donated by China and relief organizations.  The people are fearful of returning to their homes since the after-shock tremors still continue.

The problem is that Myanmar's annual monsoon season begins in early June and continues into September.  I have experienced the monsoons and have seen knee-deep water in streets and parking lots.  These tent communities have a big problem ahead, since the monsoon flooding causes water and food shortages, along with serious disease, even when their normal homes are available.  The tent-life will make it almost impossible to live, sleep, and store their rice.

Besides prayer, we are planning to purchase water purifiers at approx $24 each, so Steven can distribute them to the people. These items can change dirty flood water into pure drinking water.  They're not a complete solution, but clean water is vital to life.  If you would like to help by purchasing a water purifier, we would greatly appreciate the help.  Please pray for these  despairing people.

Once again, thanks so much for all you do for Ancient Words and the hurting people of Myanmar.  It is an honor for us to serve these little ones, especially those in the household of Faith.

Love in Christ,

Don

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Steven's Note:

Dear Don,

I arrived back home safely from the Earthquake Mission trip Mandalay. I couldn't express how thankful I am for having a chance to help the victims of the Earthquake and being able to encourage them by the Word of God. We got to see the most affected areas which are Naypyitaw, Mandalay and Sagaing. It was such a great loss and destruction we have never experienced in our lifetime. Most of the victims of the Earthquake live on the street full of fear and anxiety that it will happen again. Unfortunately, because of the storm they suffer one after another problem.

We were able to give them rice, Sardines, Nutrition, Noodles, Oil, Towels, water, ground sheets, and bread for children for more than one thousand households.  They are so thankful for the love and support given by AWM while they are in the most difficult situation. I was able to share Matthew 11: 28 and even unbelievers were very happy and interested about it. ["Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.  Matthew 11:28.]

Thank you so much AWM for standing tall behind us when we needed it the most. Your prayer, love and support made a huge impact on the lives of the victims of the Earthquake. We pray that the Lord will return a hundredfold of blessings to all of you. Thanks for sharing with us the

Crowns in Christ.

Much love,

Steven & Julie

Dear Friends,

Steven just returned from an IDP mission trip to northern Kachin state in Myanmar.  He and his trusted friend, Pastor Taung, led the trip and distributed rice, oil, salt, eggs, blankets, cookies, and words of encouragement to more than 3,000 IDPs.

He told me that approximately 90% of these people are Christians, the household of the Faith, who lost every and fled because of the military’s bombardments on villages.  

“We encouraged them by the Word and they are so thankful for the kind support of AWM.They told me that they have been praying so hard that the Lord will send someone to help them and AWM is the answer to their prayer.”

I will let the following pictures speak for themselves.  By the way, I think the “thumbs-up” from the people means “Thank you!” … that would be you! As always, deepest thanks to you for your prayers, support, and encouragement of Ancient Words!

Love in Christ,

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Don

Dear Friends,

The AWM Christmas Party
Spread the Gospel,
Fed the Hungry, and
Warmed with Blankets...
and the People Danced in Praise!

Steven & Julie reported that more than 200 people attended the December 22nd Christmas Celebration at the Ancient Words Training Center!  The crowd included believers in Christ and Buddhists, many of whom came to watch their elementary-age children perform in the Christmas program.

S&J told us:
"Our TC students performed Christmas songs with dances that really got the attention of their parents. Also women from the TC Church praise God and dance with their national costumes ."

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We were able to provide a special lunch for the attendees.  Meat is a rare treat in the IDP camp, so it was really appreciated.  The believers of the Training Center Church served the guests. We also purchased 150 blankets to help the people weather the cold nights - S&J also made sure that each blanket had a gospel tract tucked inside...

Steven’s message was just as we had hoped. He told us:
"Our motto is "Our Savior has born" Luke 2:11. And My sermon was the reason why Jesus had to come down to the Earth. Jesus had died for our atonement. It seems like they interact very well. A few families asked me if they would like to join the TC Church Service because they wanted to know more about Christ. We told them that everyone that is interested to know more about Jesus is warmly welcome from the TC."  

Steven's message to YOU is:
"It was truly a Special Christmas Celebration for our community. They enjoyed it very much and were so thankful for the special treat and gifts. We were able to celebrate this wonderful event just because of the kind heart and generosity of the beautiful family in the State... May the Joy the peace and the happiness of our Lord Jesus be with you all!
With Much love,
Steven & Julie"

I will also add my thanks for making this special event happen.  It was because of you that the gospel of Christ reached these people, along with food and essentials for the least of these.  So, THANK YOU so much in the name of Jesus the Messiah!

Love in Him,

Don