A young patient affected by war receiving one of the dolls.
Their goal: to bring hope and healing to communities ravaged by conflict and natural disaster.
The mission team provided essential dental, medical, and vision services, distributing life-saving medicines and eyeglasses to 800 individuals at one of the Baptist churches in town. In addition to Indiana pastor Sam Ngala, there were pastors and leaders from other denominations who volunteered and assisted at the free clinic. An additional 2,000 people received one month’s worth of rice and food supplies. Women were given 700 hygiene kits, and thousands of toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes and bars of soap were handed out. For hundreds of children, the gift of a toy or doll was a first-time experience. Funding for these items were partially provided by Indiana Conference members.
In the month following the mission trip, the humanitarian crisis intensified with an earthquake measuring between 7.7 and 7.9 in magnitude. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the quake destroyed approximately 120,000 homes and affected 17 million people. The U.S. Geological Survey estimates that at least 5,350 people were killed, 7,830 injured, and 530 remain missing.
Even before the quake, Myanmar was in deep crisis. Ongoing civil conflict had left 19.9 million people in need of humanitarian aid, with 15.2 million facing acute food insecurity in 2025 alone.
Teint Saung, communication director for the Adventist Church in Myanmar, reported that 10 church buildings, portions of an Adventist high school, and a church-run orphanage were damaged or destroyed. One Adventist family lost a loved one, while others suffered injuries, loss of homes and businesses, and serious property damage.
In response, the Adventist Church in Myanmar has been working to assist affected households by providing cash support, tarpaulins, drinking water, and food supplies.
Tragedy and suffering have caused many to question their beliefs. But in the midst of hardship, there is spiritual hunger. Last year, more than twenty people from one of the country’s largest and most unreached ethnic groups chose to follow Jesus and joined the Adventist Church.
The mission trip, supported by multiple church communities, demonstrates the growing global connection between Myanmar's diaspora and their homeland.
Support for continued relief efforts can be made through ADRA and ASAP Ministries by marking donations “Myanmar Earthquake.” Contributions can also be made via Adventist Giving through the Martinsville Seventh-day Adventist Church in Indiana—Project Love: Myanmar.
Your prayers and support make a difference.
Sam Ngala serves as Burmese church planting consultant for Adventist Refugee and Immigrant Ministries (ARIM) under the NAD Multilingual Ministries. He also pastors the Bloomington, Ellettsville, Martinsville and Spencer congregations in Indiana.
