Community Empowerment Workshop

Today I dropped in on A Community Empowerment Workshop for the Karen Community at Central Baptist Church in Hartford where I worship. I spoke with Myra Dahgaypaw about the work needed to further involve the Karen community in the larger context of living in Connecticut and the United States. She and Thra K'Paw, a member of CBC, were meeting with adults in the morning and youth in the afternoon to discuss leadership, education beyond high school, community assessment and scholarship opportunities.

Myra Dahgaypaw

Myanmar Presentation

I gave a talk today on my short-term mission experience in Myanmar. In January/February of this year I taught at the Karen Baptist Theological Seminary in Yangon. One of the main reasons for wanting to share these pictures and narrative was because of my Karen brothers and sister here at CBC. Four years ago, two hundred or so Karen refugees arrived in Hartford from the camps in Thailand.

Pastor John Endler opened the program with a prayer for peace. The Karen have become an integral part of our church and have supported my short-term missions in many ways. I left my card with one of the attendees hoping that she will follow my odyssey. At the end of the presentation we prayed for peace and I announced the halting of my short-term missions for this year to attend to my odyssey.

taking a year off...

I have decided to take a year off of short-term mission work. My last trip was to Myanmar and had hoped to return to Cuba this coming year. I will concentrate on my Prayer Odyssey and travel in that way. Hopefully I will be able to do more short-term mission work in the future.

Youth Bell Choir

The Central Baptist Church Youth Bell Choir played during the service today. They played 'Where You There When They Crucified My Lord' for the Offertory and 'When I Survey the Wondrous Cross' for the Postlude.

Karen Youth Scholarships Awarded

The First Annual Thomas J Foran Karen Youth Scholarships were awarded during service. The winners receive money to help them with their post High School studies.

Khadara Htoo, Caroline Htoo, Taw Mu Ku

The winners were:

First Winner was Khadra Htoo with $1000 for study at Capital Community College
Second Winner was Caroline Htoo with $500 for study at Manchester Community College
Third Winner was Taw Mu Ku with $200 for study at Great Path Academy

Middletown Gospel Fest

Caught the end of the First Annual Middletown Gospel Fest today on the green. Heard two groups: 'Wine and Water' and 'The Believers'. They were both great. Will make sure I get to attend the whole Fest next year!

KBTS website

Just found this website for the Karen Baptist Theological Seminary where I taught this last January and February.

blognote: great music on the site