Greetings,

As I write this, we are in Chiang Mai, Thailand.  This morning we met up with mission colleagues and friends, Chuck and Ruth Fox, Ruth's mother and Steve and Nancy James.  They are all heading to Myanmar in the next few days for the 200th Judson Anniversary celebrations.  Actually, even before we left the US and everywhere we’ve been since then, we see and hear of people heading to Myanmar for this special event.  We know that several groups from American Baptists and Central Seminary, people from the Baptist World Alliance and maybe a couple hundred Karen from Thailand will be there and that the celebrations are already underway.  Within Myanmar, I'm sure that as I write, there are people walking and driving, in boats and planes, crunched in the back of trucks large and small, filling buses and maybe hopping in ox carts or riding water buffaloes all heading to this extraordinary gathering.  It is with growing anticipation we'll fly to Myanmar tomorrow morning and join the crowd in Rangoon/Yangon.  When everyone arrives, expectations are that 10s of thousands will be in attendance.  I am in awe of what God has accomplished through the life of Adoniram Judson.  At the same time, as I think of his life, I see how he and none of us do anything on our own.  Judson only survived because of Ann, Sarah and Emily.  The Karen church got started with the help of Ko Tha Byu.  Luther Rice organized support in America that kept the missionaries on the field.  Evangelists, pastors and educators rose up among the people of Myanmar and the church has grown despite a long list of obstacles.  So as we go to celebrate Judson's life and ministry we really celebrate what God has done and is doing in Myanmar and around the world.  What a privilege to participate in this event and even more so to be a part of the Judson legacy.  Please be in prayer for the event and all those coming and going from around the globe.  Pray it can be a celebration of the past and inspire the third century of witness.

Duane & Marcia