The scene is likely hard to picture if not actually experienced.  An estimated  40,000 people had traveled to Rangoon, Burma (Yangon, Myanmar) to a conference center that holds 10,000.  Every school, church and many office buildings within miles had been cleared of furniture so people could have floor space to sleep.  Multiple fire pits had been dug topped with many layered metal trays that were constantly cooking massive quantities of rice to feed everyone.  We met people who had walked four days, rode boats for three additional days, then rode buses for two more days just to get there.  We were told many from the remote parts of Burma had not been allowed to come to Rangoon for decades. But this was a special occasion and permission was granted.  Perhaps because Burma has been closed so long is why so many wanted to take our photo.  We were as exotic to them as they were to us and every few steps we were asked to pose with individuals and groups.   We've lived in Thailand for 20 years or more and we are used to seeing people in various kinds of ethnic dress.  But there were people at this meeting that were certainly exotic to us, dressed in clothing we'd not seen before and coming from places we didn't know. 

The atmosphere was electric, but we can't say it was comfortable.  Arriving two hours before meeting time it was hard to walk through the crowds.  Calls to pose for photos and constantly bumping into others made it hard to proceed.  Getting caught in a flow of people made it impossible to do anything but go with them.  By meeting time, those that hadn't come hours early were in a sea of people packed so tight they could not move outside the meeting hall.  Inside not only every seat was taken but every available space was occupied.  Aisles were full, the space in front of the stage was full, people were standing by every column and were packed tight along the back wall.  Seats sometimes had two people occupying one chair.  We heard people from America comment that strangers were leaning up against them and they were feeling uncomfortable.  Culturally, we are used to having our personal space but there was none to be had. 

Of course, it was also hot.  The building had open sides but still, so many in a confined space raised the heat and humidity levels until it felt like all the air had been breathed many times before.  Thankfully it was the "cool" season so it could have been much worse.  Still, even the locals were fanning themselves and we were constantly sweating.

The discomfort was forgotten though, when the service began.  The Burmese language was shown up on the screen but there were ethnic groups from all over the country, many that did not speak Burmese. Others were there from countries near and far.  So, at the opening hymn 10,000 voices inside and untold thousands outside the building offered praise to God, each in the language they knew.  I don't think any one language was discernable but God knew the words and the combination was a blessing to all.  Choirs, songs, dances, dramas, preaching and speaking in clothes, styles and the languages of the people and cultures represented offered more praise to God.  Burma has persecuted its people for decades and continues to do so, but at this meeting, people were free to be who God had made them to be.  We pray this becomes a way of life for people in the whole country.

This extraordinary experience was celebrating the 200th anniversary of the arrival of Ann and Adoniram Judson to Burma.  In Burma, their arrival is seen as the start of the Christian church and the beginning of the Myanmar Baptist Convention.  In America of course, the Judsons are seen as starting the Protestant mission movement and as the parents of the Baptist denominations that continue today.  Being able to attend these meetings was a privilege I doubt we will ever forget and to be a part of the mission tradition begun by the Judsons is a true honor.  This event was just one country, the country of Burma, but with so many people groups and languages represented it was a taste of heaven.  Rev. 5:9 – 10 says: … because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.      ¹⁰You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”

While a taste of heaven, this gathering is also a reminder of the challenge we have.  In Burma, the dominant people group still would like to "Burmanize" everyone else and has conducted decades of war to carry it out.  In America, we have our own struggles on how to get along with people different than us.  We work with churches hosting former refugees from Burma and as we travel the US we see some embrace these newcomers and give full acceptance while other churches, individuals and even organizations struggle to embrace those outside their particular group.

It isn't surprising.  Even the apostles had disagreements over whether to accept non-Jews into the faith.  In Acts 11:17 though, Peter clears up the matter saying, "So if God gave them the same gift as he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God?"  We are all part of the mission enterprise that led to 40,000 people of a myriad of cultures and speaking an unknown number of languages to travel for days to celebrate their faith and to praise God.  Like Peter, who are we to oppose God?  Where ever we are, may we all look for opportunities to accept and love those different from us and let us and them taste the Kingdom together.

Note: for additional photos, go to http://karenkonnection.org/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=2548