Several months ago, I learned about an incredible opportunity to help one of our groups of preachers in Burma, and at the same time, be a blessing to an orphanage there that we support, and for which we built a girl’s dormitory in 2017. I wanted to share this with you, being very excited and having done the research, but other issues were pressing me that were urgent at the time (the feeding of the 325 families in the Middle East). Our staff talked about it and thought a delay was appropriate as fulfilling this would make a fantastic Thanksgiving or Christmas offering for those interested.
I think it both prudent and physiologically healthy at this time that we take our thought off our own problems and concentrate on meeting a need for someone else. This is a time that we give thanks to the Lord for all His gifts and then turn around a month later and give gifts to those whom we love because of His great gift to us. I have to admit it, though, as an adult, nothing gives me more pleasure than seeing little eyes light up while opening tier gifts on Christmas morning. It is a year’s worth of blessing condensed into a few moments. We thought an opportunity for us all to help an entire orphanage would be a great blessing to them and to each of us as well. So, here’s the need. Help if you can.
Pastor Vel Za Siama had a burden years ago to rescue orphan children, and as he took them in, one by one, others began to arrive at his doorstep, being orphaned because they were abandoned by their parents or their parents had died. For years he has struggled to help them, providing a bed, three meals a day and public education. Each child has their chores to do and they all study God’s Word separately and together each day, as the older ones assist the younger. The orphanage is on his tiny church property and is comprised of a boy’s dormitory and a girl’s dormitory. The church auditorium seconds as a dining hall and a place to study. The undeveloped area of the campus leaves a little room for them to play.
This is the orphanage in the church auditorium. Sui is on the front row near the right side in a read dress.
Nolin and I, along with Joshua Martyn visited there in December 2016. And while there, Nolin and I felt compelled to support a little girl named Sui Chin Par. We keep a picture of her on our refrigerator and send gifts every Christmas so that she can have and can share with the others. And as in every case, we want to do more but didn’t know what to do. Then Vel sent me a request that I knew was just what we had been looking for. This was an opportunity for us to give in a way that the gift would multiply itself perpetually, blessing the orphans there now and those to be added, relieving the financial stress from Pastor Vel, and just making us feel downright good about what we do. So now, I want to share his vision with you.
Vel had told me in 2016 that he had been given a farm for his orphanage. I didn’t say much so he thought I had no interest and never spoke of it again. Over time I forgot about it until this summer it popped into my mind again; so, I wrote him to ask how things were going. He replied with pictures of what they had already accomplished with no outside help, but you could sense the frustration of his knowing that they could do so much more if only a few improvements could be made. So, over the next months we wrote back and forth, him giving more details and me asking more questions. Finally, I felt I had enough vetted information that I could share it with you all, just in time for Christmas.
Vel has about 7 acres of land that he wanted to use for a Christian camp, but the funds to do that would be astronomical. He and his wife prayed about it and felt that their need for a farm was greater than their desire for a camp. But even for a farm, they were lacking. Yet, as the national preachers typically do, rather than wait to do it all, they move ahead, step by step to do -- not all, but all that they can.
Right now, he has 60 goats and 40 chickens. In addition, there are 6 Muscovy ducks and 8 geese. That’s a lot for sure, but not enough for the needs of the children, and to sell any abundance to raise funds for their other needs. He plans to grow to 100 does (female goats) He also wants to grow to 300 chickens, 700 ducks (duck eggs are sold for a higher price) and 100 geese.
The plan is to raise goats to sell at the market for meat. The males will be sold while the females will be able to produce a larger herd. As he said to me, raising goats does not require much capital so they are growing Napier grass for the herd to consume. Vel has been advised to plant peanuts and other legumes. This will allow food for the goats and the children because while the children enjoy the nuts with their meals, the goats will eat the leaves. Peanut leaves contain 22% of the daily protein needed for the goats.
Already, Vel has already cleared enough land to plant banana trees, 300 pomelo trees and 4000-star bean plants; as well as bamboo, mangos, jack fruit and moringa trees. Frankly though, they need to be able to plant vegetables to sustain the children. To do that, they had to clear some of the land by hand; but now that they have a field to plow and sow and the children are too young and too weak to be able to do that work. Then in order to grow, he needs to build pens, coops, and build a water reserve for the dry months.
Don’t think this is foolish. Vel has a lifetime experience in farming so he knows what he is doing. Additionally, I have seen similar projects in orphanages around the world. It teaches the children and trade and to not be totally dependent on others. We support an orphanage outside Phnom Penh Cambodia that made a fish pond. To feed them, rather than being totally dependent on feed, they strung a cord over the pond with lights on it, just a few inches above the water. As the bugs and mosquitos are attracted to the lights, the fish can jump up to eat them or wait for them to fall in the water after being zapped. Another I heard of has a chicken coop above the fish pond so the droppings from the chickens feed the fish below. The important thing is to make sure that by our giving, we are not dooming the children to being reliant on others, rather than on the Lord and on their own hard work and ingenuity.
I want to share with you the list of what Vel said he needs to get into full production. I always hate breaking down a need in this way, I prefer to just give the total amount. But in this case, I want you to be able to see exactly how he will use your offering. Here is the list he gave me:
Vel has said that with the imported goats, he would like to buy does as well but it is just too expensive. His plans are to breed the males with typical female goats for now.
Now of course there will be other costs and other needs. Until the peanuts are harvested, he will need some nutritional feed. Then there is feed for the chicks, and other costs. To be fair, I would say he needs around $23,000 to fully meet this need, construct the water reservoir, and have a little extra to buy the chicks, geese, ducks, more filler dirt, pvc pipes for the water system, etc. Personally, I hope that we will be able to purchase several Boer and Saanen does so he can work on producing a pure, highly profitable herd for the future. (The females are not as costly as the males.)
I know this is not an emergency need, nor one that will bring a tear to your eyes. It is just a simple request from a pastor who is already doing more than he could do and needs our help to be able to rescue even more children. Having spent years in Asia, I know the value that these trees will bring. I know of entire ministries that were funded by the produce from such trees; but it takes time for the tree to grow doesn’t it. So, this is where your giving will make a difference. It will still be giving by producing fruit, vegetables, milk, eggs and meat, long after you have forgotten you gave it, and frankly, long after you and I are in Glory. I love that, don’t you?
For all the projects that we present to you, I feel a sense of compassion, sorrow or even urgency. This need however, gives me a sense of excitement, so if it touches you, then please designate anything you wish to give for this cause to the Burma Farm. I can’t wait to see how many kids we can feed with this project. If it works as well as it should, we will try to emulate it in other places too, especially throughout India and Africa. The more they can feed themselves, the less we have to do it for them; and if the American well of funds should dry up, they will still be feasting because of what we provided for them. What a great Christmas present -- we give to our Lord for His “birthday” by giving in His name, to His little ones.
Donate online - Select "Burma Farm" under "Special Projects"
I think it both prudent and physiologically healthy at this time that we take our thought off our own problems and concentrate on meeting a need for someone else. This is a time that we give thanks to the Lord for all His gifts and then turn around a month later and give gifts to those whom we love because of His great gift to us. I have to admit it, though, as an adult, nothing gives me more pleasure than seeing little eyes light up while opening tier gifts on Christmas morning. It is a year’s worth of blessing condensed into a few moments. We thought an opportunity for us all to help an entire orphanage would be a great blessing to them and to each of us as well. So, here’s the need. Help if you can.
Pastor Vel Za Siama had a burden years ago to rescue orphan children, and as he took them in, one by one, others began to arrive at his doorstep, being orphaned because they were abandoned by their parents or their parents had died. For years he has struggled to help them, providing a bed, three meals a day and public education. Each child has their chores to do and they all study God’s Word separately and together each day, as the older ones assist the younger. The orphanage is on his tiny church property and is comprised of a boy’s dormitory and a girl’s dormitory. The church auditorium seconds as a dining hall and a place to study. The undeveloped area of the campus leaves a little room for them to play.
This is the orphanage in the church auditorium. Sui is on the front row near the right side in a read dress.
Nolin and I, along with Joshua Martyn visited there in December 2016. And while there, Nolin and I felt compelled to support a little girl named Sui Chin Par. We keep a picture of her on our refrigerator and send gifts every Christmas so that she can have and can share with the others. And as in every case, we want to do more but didn’t know what to do. Then Vel sent me a request that I knew was just what we had been looking for. This was an opportunity for us to give in a way that the gift would multiply itself perpetually, blessing the orphans there now and those to be added, relieving the financial stress from Pastor Vel, and just making us feel downright good about what we do. So now, I want to share his vision with you.
Vel had told me in 2016 that he had been given a farm for his orphanage. I didn’t say much so he thought I had no interest and never spoke of it again. Over time I forgot about it until this summer it popped into my mind again; so, I wrote him to ask how things were going. He replied with pictures of what they had already accomplished with no outside help, but you could sense the frustration of his knowing that they could do so much more if only a few improvements could be made. So, over the next months we wrote back and forth, him giving more details and me asking more questions. Finally, I felt I had enough vetted information that I could share it with you all, just in time for Christmas.
Vel has about 7 acres of land that he wanted to use for a Christian camp, but the funds to do that would be astronomical. He and his wife prayed about it and felt that their need for a farm was greater than their desire for a camp. But even for a farm, they were lacking. Yet, as the national preachers typically do, rather than wait to do it all, they move ahead, step by step to do -- not all, but all that they can.
Right now, he has 60 goats and 40 chickens. In addition, there are 6 Muscovy ducks and 8 geese. That’s a lot for sure, but not enough for the needs of the children, and to sell any abundance to raise funds for their other needs. He plans to grow to 100 does (female goats) He also wants to grow to 300 chickens, 700 ducks (duck eggs are sold for a higher price) and 100 geese.
The plan is to raise goats to sell at the market for meat. The males will be sold while the females will be able to produce a larger herd. As he said to me, raising goats does not require much capital so they are growing Napier grass for the herd to consume. Vel has been advised to plant peanuts and other legumes. This will allow food for the goats and the children because while the children enjoy the nuts with their meals, the goats will eat the leaves. Peanut leaves contain 22% of the daily protein needed for the goats.
Already, Vel has already cleared enough land to plant banana trees, 300 pomelo trees and 4000-star bean plants; as well as bamboo, mangos, jack fruit and moringa trees. Frankly though, they need to be able to plant vegetables to sustain the children. To do that, they had to clear some of the land by hand; but now that they have a field to plow and sow and the children are too young and too weak to be able to do that work. Then in order to grow, he needs to build pens, coops, and build a water reserve for the dry months.
Don’t think this is foolish. Vel has a lifetime experience in farming so he knows what he is doing. Additionally, I have seen similar projects in orphanages around the world. It teaches the children and trade and to not be totally dependent on others. We support an orphanage outside Phnom Penh Cambodia that made a fish pond. To feed them, rather than being totally dependent on feed, they strung a cord over the pond with lights on it, just a few inches above the water. As the bugs and mosquitos are attracted to the lights, the fish can jump up to eat them or wait for them to fall in the water after being zapped. Another I heard of has a chicken coop above the fish pond so the droppings from the chickens feed the fish below. The important thing is to make sure that by our giving, we are not dooming the children to being reliant on others, rather than on the Lord and on their own hard work and ingenuity.
I want to share with you the list of what Vel said he needs to get into full production. I always hate breaking down a need in this way, I prefer to just give the total amount. But in this case, I want you to be able to see exactly how he will use your offering. Here is the list he gave me:
- $1500 to build a chicken coop 20’x45’ (He already has 35 wooden posts collected for this project.)
- $3200 to purchase a power tiller. Vel says that before anything else, they need this as soon as possible. He has used one before for many years and knows how to repair them as well. (In SE Asia water buffalo have traditionally been used for plowing, but they are expensive and eat a lot. Years ago, power tillers, specially made for this region were invented. They call them “automatic buffalos” and one man, in one day, can till more land than could be done by a buffalo in a week or more. This excites me!)
- $2500 to enlarge the goat pen to 30’x50’ to hold more goats
- $6000 to put fill soil into the ditches. This price is for 200 dump truck loads but we actually need 500 loads. This will get us started and we can use our profits to buy the rest later.)
- Build a water reservoir to save clean water.
- $895 for the purchase and importation of one Boer buck goat for reproduction of larger goats which provide more meat to sell. This goat has a fast growth rate and is less susceptible to disease. These are already at a marketable size (up to 75 pounds) when they complete their weaning (90 days). This includes import taxes.
- $795 for the purchase and importation of one Saanen goat. These goats produce a higher volume of milk with a higher fat content than typical goats. This is considered to be the most productive goat in the world. This also includes import taxes.
- $500 for one egg incubator (This one has a 400-egg capacity.)
Vel has said that with the imported goats, he would like to buy does as well but it is just too expensive. His plans are to breed the males with typical female goats for now.
Now of course there will be other costs and other needs. Until the peanuts are harvested, he will need some nutritional feed. Then there is feed for the chicks, and other costs. To be fair, I would say he needs around $23,000 to fully meet this need, construct the water reservoir, and have a little extra to buy the chicks, geese, ducks, more filler dirt, pvc pipes for the water system, etc. Personally, I hope that we will be able to purchase several Boer and Saanen does so he can work on producing a pure, highly profitable herd for the future. (The females are not as costly as the males.)
I know this is not an emergency need, nor one that will bring a tear to your eyes. It is just a simple request from a pastor who is already doing more than he could do and needs our help to be able to rescue even more children. Having spent years in Asia, I know the value that these trees will bring. I know of entire ministries that were funded by the produce from such trees; but it takes time for the tree to grow doesn’t it. So, this is where your giving will make a difference. It will still be giving by producing fruit, vegetables, milk, eggs and meat, long after you have forgotten you gave it, and frankly, long after you and I are in Glory. I love that, don’t you?
For all the projects that we present to you, I feel a sense of compassion, sorrow or even urgency. This need however, gives me a sense of excitement, so if it touches you, then please designate anything you wish to give for this cause to the Burma Farm. I can’t wait to see how many kids we can feed with this project. If it works as well as it should, we will try to emulate it in other places too, especially throughout India and Africa. The more they can feed themselves, the less we have to do it for them; and if the American well of funds should dry up, they will still be feasting because of what we provided for them. What a great Christmas present -- we give to our Lord for His “birthday” by giving in His name, to His little ones.
Donate online - Select "Burma Farm" under "Special Projects"
