It is better that you do not use the cameras if there are police and military nearby. We could have a problem.”

Concerned for our safety, our driver felt we needed to be warned as he whisked us away from the 1950s-era airport in Yangon, Myanmar. It’s not a city name you might recognize. Up until a few years ago it was better known as Rangoon, Burma.
It’s complicated, but Myanmar is a country that has gone through an interesting history. Its past has included being overrun by Mongol invasions, being a Chinese satellite, being a by-product of French ascendancy, existing under British colonial administration as part of the Indian Empire, living under Japanese wartime occupation, a limited independence, then a military coup followed by a repressive one-party state. Democratic elections in the late 1980s resulted in the immediate arrest of the victor-Nobel Peace Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi-and military rule was restored, leading to the strict dictatorship that exists today. Being sandwiched between China, Bangladesh, Laos, Thailand and India doesn’t help the situation.

So I was not surprised that a Canadian with digital photography equipment and a professional video camera would be less than welcome in this country-especially when I saw the government signs with slogans such as “Co-operate and crush all those who oppose the union” posted prominently on many city street corners.

But Myanmar is one of the Canada and Bermuda Territory’s seven mission partners, and being the media producer for the Partners in Mission resource kit, it was my job to share the story of all the great work The Salvation Army does in this grant-aided territory.

Travelling with Brian Burditt, director of world missions, THQ, I had the opportunity to meet many warm and friendly people as we moved through this poor and mostly agricultural country of 50 million. Most people here live hand to mouth, with the average income being less than $1 US per day.

Within hours of landing we were up at 3 a.m. in order to drive five hours north for the official dedication of Phyu Corps, which was rebuilt with support money from the Canada and Bermuda Territory. In a culture that is 90 percent Buddhist, The Salvation Army’s Christian voice is spreading. With more than 40 corps in Myanmar, many are embracing the mission with evangelical fervour. Growth is partially attributed to practical ministries such as providing clean water to remote villages and helping support families living with HIV/AIDS.

The next day, back in Yangon, we had the opportunity to visit both the boys’ and girls’ homes that are just a short distance apart. Although we were told the girls’ home was much newer and in better shape, there was little difference in the meagre conditions that provided accommodation for almost 100 children aged five to 15. But living in a Salvation Army home was much better than the alternative, as they were provided with food, a place to live, education, camaraderie and the opportunity to learn about God.

After our visits to the homes in Yangon we again headed north, mostly over winding dirt roads to document projects in northern Myanmar’s Chin State, which borders with India. It is not easy to get around anywhere in Myanmar, and the fact that heat often exceeds 40 degrees Celsius makes the distance seem even further.

After enduring 11 hours of sweltering heat and dirt in a beat-up old Toyota, I can genuinely say the trek was almost unbearable. The car we hired would never have been allowed on Canadian roads. Yet transportation is a luxury in Myanmar. It’s not unusual to see vehicles that can barely run loaded with a dozen or more people hanging off every available space. That said, difficult journeys often have their rewards, and the opportunity to photograph and film some of the incredible projects The Salvation Army is sponsoring was worth the many hours of discomfort.

We did eventually make it into northern Myanmar, where I witnessed artisan and bore well projects in villages that otherwise would have had to rely on dirty stream water. We visited food security and pig loan programs-yes, I did say “pig loan!” A pig is loaned to a family who raises the animal. Once it is bred, the family returns a piglet, which is then passed on to another poor family. Several Salvation Army corps also own land for poor families to grow food for their families and gain experience in farming.

Electricity is an extravagance in Myanmar. There are few private generators and they are expensive to run. Refrigeration is almost non-existent and rural residents are lucky if they have two to three hours of simple light in the evening.

One of the most inspiring ventures was a hydro-electric power project sponsored by The Salvation Army. Corps members hand-dug a mile-long trench that was several feet deep and wide and connected to a nearby river, all so that they could hook up a turbine that would generate a little bit of electricity the entire village could share. It was quite a sight to see more than 20 people gladly digging as a team for the benefit of their village.

As in other developing countries, education is a struggle in Myanmar. When we visited a number of Salvation Army tuition classes it was fulfilling to see the joy in children’s faces as they experienced the opportunity to learn.

We were stopped at many roadside police and military checkpoints and our passports were often carefully scrutinized, but we never really had any problems. Almost everywhere we went the people were warm and inviting. The Salvation Army has been in Myanmar for over 90 years, and as the country struggles to find its political identity, the Army will continue to serve the people through its spiritual mission and practical ministries.

It was with fondness and pride that, some weeks later, I went through the pictures and footage of all the great work and spiritual energy The Salvation Army provides in Myanmar. I hope you get to view the videos and resource material at your local corps or on our website, Salvationist.ca. And don’t forget to support our Partners In Mission campaign financially and through your prayers.

by Art Nickel, Media Producer, THQ