First Congregational Church - United Church of Christ - Battle Creek

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BURMESE COMMUNITY MISSION TEAM

Battle Creek - Burmese Community Web Site - Including Michigan Drivers License Information

The Burmese Community Mission Team has been in existence since January 2002. Its mission is to assist the Burmese transition into the Battle Creek community and to provide assistance to the Paniel Children's Home located in Myanmar (formerly known as Burma).

The Burmese fled their native country (Myanmar) to escape religious and political persecution. Some have had to leave their families in Burma. The Burmese from the Chin province, which is predominately Christian, have been the victims of religious persecution by their national government, which is essentially Buddhist. Burmese groups have frequently arrived in this country, with little more than the clothes on their backs, to seek asylum. Thanks to the efforts of our churches and agencies the transition process has been made easier for them..

The mission team includes about 13 church members and a minister from the Burmese group. The following are the accomplishments of the Burmese Community Mission Team:

Provided ongoing funding for the Paniel Children's Home which, we have been told, would not be able to exist without our funds. We have assisted in providing food, shelter, clothing, and books for over 40 orphans. We have contributed $9600 over a period of five years.

Funded a Christian theology student in Myanmar over the past three years. Our theology student is planning to graduate in 2007.

Implemented an internet website containing the Michigan Driving Rules of the Road translated into Burmese.

Developed and implemented an "English as a second language" program for working Burmese adults who had limited time to go to school.

Invited and funded 15 Burmese children to participate in the Summer Choir Camp at First Congregational Church so that they could participate with other children and learn English versions of Christian songs. All of the children performed together in a Sunday morning concert as a part of our church service.

To fund our many projects, the mission team has held several car washes and garage sales as well as a church-wide dinner prepared by the Burmese adults. The young adults performed the famous "bamboo dance" for church members who attended the dinner. The mission team has also been invited to many Burmese weddings, baptisms, and two of the Burmese national holidays held in Battle Creek.

The mission team has been invited to several community weddings, baptisms and two of the Burmese national celebration days (similar to our July 4th holiday) held in the Battle Creek area. Through these cultural events, the mission team has learned a great deal of the Burmese culture and its future aspirations.

As we plan for the future, the Burmese Community Mission Team will continue to focus our resources on the church, community, Burmese children in Battle Creek, and the Paniel Children's Home in Burma.

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