(BAH-mah) – Ko Aung and his wife are working hard to plant a church in an area that has never had a Christian presence. They have been working for over a year, beginning with gathering children for a children’s Sunday School program, then inviting interested parents to come and study simple Bible lessons and stories. This past Christmas, they had a large Christmas party at their church, and many who had never heard the good news had the opportunity to hear. Praise God that the gospel is being preached. Ko Aung now says that many who have been coming to their classes regularly have said that they now believe, but most are hesitant to be baptized for fear of persecution. Pray for all of these who are interested. Pray for boldness and for a work of the Holy Spirit that will give them encouragement and fearlessness in the face of local monks and neighborhood leaders. Thank the Lord for the steadfastness of Ko Aung and his wife, and pray that they will know how to love and encourage those they are teaching. Please pray that their small group will become a church of believers who will carry the good news throughout this village.