In 1973, my wife and I were praying to God to share Jesus with the Naga tribe who are living along the northwestern border of Burma and the northeastern border of India. God answered our prayer—(though not in the way we expected)—and led us in another direction, Thailand. 

We had to travel on foot for two weeks—through the jungle, across snowy mountains, then by airplane, train, and trucks before we finally reached Thailand. As soon as we arrived at the mission field, we joined with the Morses family and started preaching the gospel among the Lisu tribe. They live in mountain villages and raise opium for their living. They also worship evil spirits and are bonded to the evil one. Many are addicted to the opium they grow. 

One time in 1974, Ron Morse and I went on a trip to share Jesus with the people in villages. At Banmai village, a family of demon priest and two other families accepted the gospel. We prayed for them, took them to a small stream nearby, and baptized them. The next morning, as we prepared to continue to the next villages, we saw two men with weapons coming toward us. I thought: they are going to hunt, but when they got to us, they said, “Do not move! Right now, you must take these three families with you wherever you go. They are yours, not our people. If you do not take them with you, we will stone them and kick them out of this village. Their houses will be torched.”

Then, Ron and I sat down on the ground and negotiated more than two hours in front of gun points—one M16, one carbine, and one pistol. As we talked with them, very clearly and gently, they became a little too calm. They released us so that we could move forward to the next villages. 

In those days, we were in danger many times. Our fellow-workers escaped from attackers in many places, even at night. Three Lisus fellow-workers and one American missionary lost their lives by attackers when we first preached the gospel among the hill tribes in Thailand.

We started from zero number of Christians among the Lisu and Lahu tribes in Thailand, but now, there are nearly twenty thousand Christians. Besides the Lisu and Lahu tribes, we also share Jesus with Burmese who worship idols and live in refugee camps along the Thai-Burma border. We established four Burmese church in the Maesot district of Tak province. Thank You, God, and thank you (Pinedale) for your support and your prayers. 

From 2007, 40% of our ministry switched back to northern Burma, where Christians are suffering under military government persecution. There is an extreme need for church activities. No foreigners are allowed there. So, I went to Rangoon, and ten main church leaders from Putao (northern Burma) joined me there. We had a one-week meeting with them.

The military government does not allow bible training schools or rebuilding or even repairing church buildings. They haven’t allowed these things for over fifty years. Obviously, Church needs are beyond explanation. However, we decided to start Bible training centers so that many young people and adults can have an opportunity to study the Word. 

Local churches became prayer warriors for our plan. Later, church leaders went to district officers to petition to get a permit to open three months of study school. By God’s leading and His opening of the door for the gospel, the local government officers gave a permit for three months of Bible school. In 2008, we started two three-month Bible schools in small buildings—grass roof, bamboo wall, and bamboo floors—one in Mulashide village and one in Mulade village. 

Officers did not allow us to build permanent buildings using wood or concrete. Still, church leaders built as much as possible as quickly as possible. We even built at night. Within two months, one big school in Mulade was completed. 

Almost as soon as we finished the class building, the military government transferred to an elected civilian government. Thus, starting in 2010, we have been able to build more openly. Today, we have the class building, dormitories, teachers’ home, cafeteria, a library, and offices—a total of 15 houses finished so far. 

Each year 120–150 students come through the Mulade Bible school, and we now have four other three-month Bible training centers in a different location in northern Burma: One is located on the Burma-China border; another on the Burma-India border; another is more central between Myitkyina and Putao, along the Lido road; and one is in Mulashide. Each year, over 500 students come to those training centers (except for 2020, because of COVID-19).

Through our Bible training centers, many graduated students are sharing Jesus with those who are dying without Jesus in different parts of northern Burma and along the Tibet and China borders. As we preach the gospel, God adds more numbers of souls to Christ. Of course, as Christians multiply in numbers, our responsibilities also increase. However, we will stand firm and serve as much He allows us for His harvest field. We have dedicated our lives to His Kingdom as long as we live on this side of Heaven.

We are so thankful to God for your love for missions through your financial support and your prayers, and your Christian love.

Your brother in Christ, Ezekiel Ah-Cha Fish

FINAL WORD:

What problems do missionaries face? For what things do they need prayer? Cedric Johnson and David Penner surveyed 55 North American Protestant mission agencies with more than 100 staff members overseas. The missionaries listed the following problems, in rank order:

1. Relationships with other missionaries 
2. Cultural adjustments 
3. Managing general stress 
4. Raising children 
5. Marriage difficulties 
6. Financial pressures 
7. Loneliness
   

REFLECT:

1. Read Philippians 1:3-8. Write out a prayer in your journal for “your partner” (Ezekiel Fish) in South-East Asia.
2. Now, write out what would you like Ezekiel to pray for in your ministry!