In late 2013, Me and my wife landed in Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Atlanta. Ei Ei was pregnant for almost 8 month. It was like landing on a planet Mars. Everything was new for us. We had to learn Language, try foods, practice new culture and tradition, and experience new systems. Our plan was to get some training and raise funds for our ministry in Burma, such as orphanage, missionary training and church planting. In 2012, the political movement was complicated in Burma. All Christians wanted to have democracy in the country from the military Junta. Persecution has been extremely hight for Christian and ethnic minorities. Our ministries have been reaching people who are blind and deaf, and we help people with politics, education, health, and more. We opened pre-schools in villages too. Many Buddhists and Animistic people follow Christ through our movement.

 We focused on Unreached, Undeveloped, Underserved, particularly Asho tribes for development and for Christ. In 2015, there were about 80,000 people who were able to vote for an Asho representative in the Government. We won the Asho people to Christ, and we wanted to have a representative who is Christian, who would allow us to worship in our houses, build the church building, do Christian activities, and run charities across the state-wide. The military blinded people and we opened their eyes through education ministry. However, the USDP (Military) party, became our rival. They have power and money, but I had people’s vote.

 During our trip to the US , I was labeled as an agitator. My people started going missing, were taken, and imprisoned. I myself, was imprisoned many times for being a Christian and participating in missionary activities. My sister, Neli, was imprisoned and five of our missionaries were missing. Some of our missionaries also ran to Thailand, Malaysia and India. My father ran to India and to Malaysia. In the election of 2010 and 2015, USDP- Mr. Hla Tun won and is still a representative of Ashi Chin in Magwe Division now.

 My wife and I believe that we need to remain in the USA for a little longer, until the situation calms down. Our passports and visas were about to expire. I visited to World Reliefs Atlanta and was referred to another agency and to another agency. We needed help for seeking asylum, but i didn’t know who can help us. We had no friends, we had no money. I was told that GAIN (georgia asylum and immigration network) can help. I contacted them and the process of my asylum application begun with them. However, i still need to prepare to put together about my case on paper in English. I was distressful because my English was not good enough to put my case/story together on paper. We prayed for asking God’s help. that I need someone to help me on this matter. God sent Travis Lacy, a missionary in Clarkston but now in Africa (Hope Remembered). After i put my story together, Travis help me edit in real English (mine was Bur-lish, Burmese English) and also connected with many more brother and sister in our life. Once the editing was completed, i submitted it to GAIN and they started looking for attorney who will represent us to the government for my asylum case.

 We stayed with a refugee family in apartment complex in Clarkston for a year. We did not have work permit, SSN, Driving license… so no job, no income.,…passport and visa was about to expire. How can we remain in US like this. My wife had to deliver baby soon but how? She had no pregnant medicate, no doctor visited. Would she deliver at apartment? We have HOPE in God alone. The family that we lived wanted us to move out since we could not pay for rent, foods and too crowed. When i looked at sky, it was too far to escape. And when i look at the ground there was nowhere to hide my distress. How can i encourage my wife? At night, we hold hands prayed, cried, and many secret tears fall. With doubts, our future was dark but with faith, we experience God Faithfulness. He never lates to send His people!!! Right people at the right times.

One day, a man show up in apartment we stayed. Mr. Craig Bertschi – attorney at laws (McRae Bertschi & Cole LLC) He told me that he will pro-bono for my asylum case. I was not sure what pro-bono was… am i to say thank you or how much i have to pay… no… don’t blame me because the lawyer i know in Burma- they squeeze out money from their client. After we have conversation, i can related that pro-bono is helping without charge. Craig help me out all my paper work, case, interview … not all that… there were more…

Craig understood my hardship. He provided us foods and he toke me to the Friday Morning Men group at DBC, where i found a group of Disciples. I got an opportunity to talk about myself. And they even gave me some money which was the first time i got donation! Some of those men become my potential partners in ministry. After the meeting, i was introduced to Nelson and Bayo Otiti, a Nigerian Missionary. He became a hero of my life too and through him, i got more brothers and sisters in the Lord. After 1 year, Bayo and Chris Hively helped me out of the apartment we stayed and get us our own apartment in Brook Haven, GA without charged, we stayed another 14 months there. We still couldn’t rent by our own for lack of proper document and money at that time. Craig helped me to get my Work Permit after 180 days of my asylum application submitted and waited about another 4 months for work permit approval.

My Attorney Craig helped me get my 501(c)(3) JMA Ministries, Inc as non-profit organization in 2014, and start ruled in 2015. Like other Refugee, we were not eligible for work, food stamp, medicaid but through our new non-profit organization God walk-through with us in the hardest times of our life. Bayo passed and we were sent a notice by the leasing office for termination of tenancy. ‘Are we gonna be homeless in a stranger’s land?’ No,God never allow. There is a man that i never met (but God work in him already) willing to support us for our rent after we needed to move from apartment where we stayed in Brook Haven. With his help, we moved to the recent home we were living today, the landlord family is missionary who serve in India. They allows us to rent and move in to their home on August 2016…and allow to use the property for our ministry! Amazing…is it not? God sent His People whenever we need help for His Glory. God lined up His people in our life for His Kingdom work.

Now, God has given us new brothers and sisters who walk alongside with us for our missionary Journey.   Some of you had take-care of us as our own parent. YOU ARE missionary, you have shown us God love, care and kindness. Through you, we feel love. Your words of encouragement, giving and sacrifice give us strength, hope and it keep us going. 

What happen with our Asylum Case…? After interview, i kind of scare to get a call from my attorney because i don’t what to hear bad news. On that day, my phone rang while i was holding. And I was paused, scared, and exciting at the same times for what he would tell me. My Attorney told me that my asylum has been approved. And we received approval letter from USCIS in the evening too … even though it took almost 7 years… God is faithful, God provides, and God never late!
What is next? I believe that God answer our prayers. He want us to work more for His Kingdom in United States and from United States. We praise God and We will obey for His Calling. 

Thank you for all who have been part of our Journey!