A Work & Witness team from Bethel Church of the Nazarene in Nampa, Idaho, USA, arrived in Myanmar May 21. Shortly after reaching Myitkyina in the northern part of the country, the team began engaging with the local people.

Each day, around 100 children came from surrounding Nazarene churches and communities to participate in the 5-day Vacation Bible School the team had prepared. The kids enjoyed games, lessons, and interaction with the team members, eagerly awaiting their arrival each morning.

The team brought 100 pairs of The Shoe That Grows to be handed out to local children on the last day of VBS. The shoes have tire rubber for soles and can last years because they can continue to be adjusted to accommodate about five years of growth and change in foot size.

“We brought 100 pairs of these shoes from the states. Since the shoes come in small and large, the team members handling the VBS had been sizing up the feet of the kids in attendance during the week, as well as counting the number of attendees.

The packs (filled with goodies, toys, and The Shoes That Grow) were prepared, counted, and places were readied for handing out these bags.

After the start of the JESUS film, additional kids found there way into the church to watch…  We lost count of how many to expect. The JESUS film ended and Sam [missionary District Superintendent] spoke to the kids, asking how many had made a decision for Jesus for the first time. We estimate that over 80 percent of the crowd raised their hands! Praise Jesus!

Sam then showed the kids a pair of the shoes and explained how these shoes would grow with their feet. He then asked the children to line up by size. It becomes obvious very quickly that we are going to be short some bags and shoes, especially for the smaller sized feet. So we manage the kids as best we can by looking at shoe size and shift some to the larger group and we start handing out the packs with the shoes.

In Matthew chapter 14 and again in Luke chapter 9, there are parallel versions of Jesus feeding 5,000 people from two loaves and five fishes. It was reportedly a young boy’s lunch. In Mark chapter 8 there is a similar story of Jesus feeding 4,000 with seven loaves. Whether 4,000 or 5,000, two loaves or seven, when Jesus blesses, there is always an abundance left over.

As the children were given backpacks with shoes, it began to become obvious that we were going to be short. We had counted — numerous times. Team members Eric and Shane counted together. Melinda and Katie counted separately. Those leading VBS, prior to sending the kids to the JESUS film, calculated that we had 71 large sized feet and 33 small. Do the math: we only had 100 sets of shoes. We were going to be short! There was an old man — most likely a grandpa — holding a young girl, wanting a bag for this precious little girl and we were out… none left.

We were trying to explain that she was really too little to wear the shoes anyway. Remember we brought 100 pairs. We had only 90 backpacks prepared. We had kids still standing in line waiting for a backpack and shoes. And we had none. Then Katie, for who knows what reason, looked again at the bags we had used to carry the prepared shoes and packs to be distributed. She found more, including the smaller sized shoes! We re-stocked our distribution locations and continued to give until all had received, including the little girl being held by her grandfather.

Stunned, Katie and Melinda counted the remaining shoes… 21 extra pairs of shoes! We don’t know for sure how many we gave out, perhaps 120 or so. Remember: multiple people counted, multiple times. We only brought 100 pairs from the states. Only 90 backpacks. And we have extra. LEFTOVERS!

Jesus still blesses today in miraculous ways! And I am witness to His blessing and miracle of the shoes for these children of Myitkyina.” – Kirk Bartlow, team member

The team partnered with JESUS Film Harvest Partners to bring in a set of JESUS Film equipment. Three young men from the local church were trained in how to use the equipment. During the film, more than 50 young people prayed to accept Jesus as their personal Savior.

Included with the equipment were solar panels, which local leadership says will be very useful as most villages where the film will be shown have no electricity.

Throughout the week, the team of 11, along with about eight men from the Rambu Church of the Nazarene, also began painting the church and tiling the floor of the platform.

On May 31, a community dedication of the new church building was held. Hundreds attended from inter-denominational congregations and celebrated the opening of the new Rambu Church of the Nazarene.

Time and time again, team members return from Work & Witness trips stating that it is they who have received the greater blessing.

The Nazarene church people in Myitkyna were incredible. Their hard work, self-sacrifice, feeding us, putting tree-ground makeup on the ladies, laughter, smiles, handshakes, colorful clothing, and serious commitment to the task of reaching people for Christ was an inspiration… It humbled us and gave us a deep love for these special people in both Yangon and Myanmar. The vests they made for each team member at the dedication was a bit overwhelming to the team. Truly, we can never outgive God. – Pastor Jim Franklin, team leader

--Church of the Nazarene Asia-Pacific Region