From Bible School to the Mountains

David equips local believers to share the gospel in places where it is still largely unknown. One of them is Elisha, who has been part of Divine Ministry for several months. He works in Aye Thar Yar, a mountainous region near Taunggyi where many Shan people live and there are few churches.

There, Elisha met a displaced family. What began as a single connection grew into a remarkable story of prayer and faith—and ultimately into a new church.

Family on the Run

In Aye Thar Yar, Elisha met a family that had lost everything in the civil war. Their hometown in Kayah State had been severely affected, and their home had been destroyed. The family fled to the Taunggyi area and arrived there with no possessions or money. They had almost nothing…

The parents could barely afford to provide for their daughters’ daily needs and had no money to send them to school. To protect their privacy, we’ll refer to the girls in this story as Nandar and Thinzar.

One day, a Buddhist monk arrived and offered to provide Nandar and Thinzar with shelter, food, and an education. It later turned out that the sisters ended up in a convent where they were not allowed to attend school but were instead prepared for a life as nuns. Their heads were shaved, and they were not allowed to return home or leave the convent. The parents desperately wanted to bring their daughters back, but lacked the means and influence to make that happen.

The parents were desperate. They had lost their daughters and barely had enough to eat themselves, since the father was too sick to work due to severe stomach problems. That was when Elisha met this family…

Elisha stood by this family

Elisha listened to their story and spoke of the hope that Jesus wants to give. He offered to pray with the father for healing. After this prayer, a great miracle took place, and the father’s health was restored! This completely turned their worldview upside down…

The father wanted to know more about this Jesus who can heal. He began visiting Elisha more often to ask questions. Meanwhile, his health remained good, and he was able to return to work, which meant they once again had enough food. After a while, the father made the decision to follow Jesus.

Although he was doing better himself, his greatest prayer request remained the return of Nandar and Thinzar. For months, Elisha and the young church continued to stand in solidarity with the family and pray for the girls.

Over time, something miraculous happened: Nandar and Thinzar were finally given permission to go home—under the pretext that they would only visit their family and then return. This allowed them to escape from the convent! Through their father, they came into contact with the church. They were surprised by what they heard there, but they also had many questions. Elisha had many open conversations with them about faith, their lives, and their future. Nandar and Thinzar eventually decided to follow Jesus themselves. Not long after, they were baptized.

The church’s involvement did not end after their baptism. The congregation continues to guide and support the family and is helping the girls rebuild their lives. The oldest sister is now working. The youngest is in high school, and other members of the small church are collectively paying for her education to help this family.

A New Congregation in Aye Thar Yar

In May 2026, a small congregation was established in Aye Thar Yar; the father of this family was one of the first members. In the early days, four new believers joined. A house has been rented for Elisha so that he can continue to live in the area and visit people regularly.

The church is still young, but it has now become a regular place for prayer, Bible study, and mutual support. Families that Elisha meets during his visits can get to know other believers there and continue to grow in their faith.

This is the development that the Bible training programs are focused on. Students receive instruction. Some go on to become local workers. They build relationships in their own communities and continue to stand alongside people. In this way, a faith community can emerge in a place where there was hardly a church—a community that continues to grow on its own.

Connecting local workers

Elisha is not alone. About twenty pastors and evangelists are affiliated with David. Many of them live and work in isolation in remote villages and towns. Contact with other workers, joint prayer, and personal encouragement are important to them. However, travel is expensive and often complicated.

When Bram and Thea travel to Myanmar again in November, Bram will teach at the Bible schools in Bago and Taungoo. David also wants to use that visit as an opportunity to bring these pastors and evangelists, along with their wives, together for three days in Bago.

During these days, they can pray together, worship God, receive teaching, and share their experiences. In this way, new workers are trained, and those already serving in remote areas receive the support they need to persevere.

Make this next step possible

David met Elisha en zijn gezin

A new church like the one in Aye Thar Yar is built through a long-term presence. Elisha needs to be able to live there, continue visiting families, and mentor new believers. Will you make this possible?

• The monthly cost of supporting Elisha and his family is low compared to sending a Dutch missionary. For €200 a month, you can support a local missionary and his family.

• There are 7 other local missionaries like Elisha who work with David at Divine Ministries.

• Distributing Bibles costs €5 per Bible. With a monthly gift of €25, you can provide 5 Bibles each month!

• One month of Bible training for one student (including lodging, food, and teaching materials) costs €50. For €50 a month, you give a student the opportunity to attend Bible training.

With a monthly contribution, you help David continue to invest in workers who know the language and culture of their own region. They stay even after a training session or visit is over. They know the families, share in their concerns, and help a young church grow step by step.