Yesterday morning, our short-term mission team gathered at 9:30 and headed to the Baptist Church (浸信教會) to attend their worship service. The Reformed Theological Seminary of Myanmar (歸正神學院) is also located within this church. When we arrived, Pastor Mei (梅牧師) was already waiting for us. He introduced us to the church and the seminary. We also saw many of the children from the Family Village. They were neatly dressed, with bright smiles on their faces, and warmly greeted us with genuine friendliness.

During the worship service, when I heard the seminary students leading the singing, although they were singing in Burmese and I couldn’t understand a word, their voices sounded like those from heaven. I felt a deep sense of peace, joy, and the presence of God. Pastor Andy Wong’s sermon gave me a lot to reflect on: “We must always be ready to give, stay watchful and prepared as we wait for Jesus. Then we will receive more gifts, more responsibilities, more opportunities to serve, and more rewards.”

After the service, Pastor Mei(梅牧師)and his wife took us to taste authentic Burmese cuisine. It was quite special—but honestly, I only liked it so-so! 🙂

In the evening, the Family Village held a barbecue dinner. The children and mothers had spent a lot of time preparing for this event. I was really curious—how would over a hundred children have a barbecue together? When I saw the entire sports field filled with barbecue grills and tables for each family, I was both amazed and excited.

What left the deepest impression on me was how, when I walked from family to family with my plate, each one warmly welcomed me and kept piling food onto it. My plate was already overflowing, but they continued to add more. Seeing their bright smiles, even though I was already full, I just couldn’t say “no.” Some of the kids even chased after me with food in their hands, trying to give it to me. Their actions made me feel as if I was surrounded of the love.

After that, Joanne, Jasmine, Kristen, and I started distributing gifts. Originally, we planned to hand them out family by family. But as soon as the children saw the gifts, they all ran over to us. The four of us were instantly surrounded by over a hundred children—we felt like Santa Claus! The kids kept reaching out their little hands to receive gifts. In that moment, I felt as if I were surrounded by a crowd of a little angels. I was filled with joy and happiness.

After the barbecue, watching the children take the initiative to clean up touched me deeply. We also joined them in a big circle, holding hands, singing, and dancing together. The entire field was filled with laughter and joy—I felt like I had become decades younger.

Coincidentally, today was Father’s Day, and the Family Village had arranged a special celebration for the fathers. The children sang songs to every father to thank them for their hard work. One by one, over a hundred children expressed their gratitude and hugged each dad. Watching this scene, even as a mother, I was deeply moved. I looked at the fathers in our team—Winston, Eton, Thomas, Philip, and Pastor Andy—and they were all beaming with joy. I believe this was the first time in their lives they had ever been celebrated by over a hundred children for Father’s Day. It was truly an unforgettable one.

Picture Candy Ku in behalf of SCAC, SFCAC and PCAC STM team