Majors George: Myanmar and Singapore
by Colonel Richard Munn
In the USA we have four territories that constitute one nation. Imagine one territory that constitutes four nations—that are politically, geographically, culturally, and linguistically distinct. Such is the beautiful Singapore, Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand Territory. Many of us might be hard pressed to find these nations on a global map.
Veteran, beloved, and respected USA East officers Majors Asit and Sunetra George returned to our home territory a few years ago after a tumultuous term of international service in two of those nations. In addition to the steep learning curve of cross-cultural adaptation, they also faced the COVID-19 pandemic and a violent military uprising.
They clearly have a story to tell.
SAconnects caught up with Asit and Sunetra recently to give you, our readers, the story behind the story:
How long have you been commissioned officers and where have you served in that time?
Asit has been a commissioned officer for 34 years and Sunetra for 32 years. Following our marriage we served 16 years as corps officers, then 12 years that included the College for Officer Training and two divisional headquarters, and then two years as regional leaders in Myanmar and two years at territorial headquarters in Singapore.
What are your current appointments and responsibilities?
We are area coordinators and corps officers for Central Kentucky Area Services and the Lexington Corps. Our responsibilities include pastoral and administrative ministries for the congregants, a day care center, the Boys & Girls Club, a 156-bed women’s shelter, and overseeing a corps in our Area Services.
Can you share your major recollections and experiences in Myanmar and Singapore?
We praise God for the privilege to serve in Myanmar and Singapore for approximately two years in each appointment. We enjoyed our time in both these countries, which included understanding and appreciating the culture, the people, and the beauty. The Burmese Salvationists do not have much in resources, financially and educationally. Still, they are hardworking and creative in raising funds.
On our arrival in Myanmar, we were determined to visit within six months the region—with its five districts, 51 corps, 142 officers, and four institutions—and the Lord opened doors to help us realize this goal.
The areas in northwest Myanmar near Mizoram [India] have a stronger Christian presence. Consequently, Burmese Salvationists are 80% Mizo background, which poses challenges to them in identifying with many who speak other languages. Similarly, we were challenged with our clothing and encouraged to adopt the local apparel.
Please pray that Myanmar will open again to outside visitors since they bring technology, education, fresh evangelism, and discipleship methods. When the Myanmar officers learned before COVID-19 that the Army numbers were shrinking, COVID did not deter us, but efforts were made to add 155 new soldiers, and it became our priority. Myanmar still has 85% of unreached areas where the Army could potentially expand its presence.
In contrast, Singapore is a country that surpasses the USA in affluence. The national understanding of daily discipline in national identity, practice of politics, and addressing crime and unemployment is praiseworthy.
We have a few corps in the country because land is unavailable for building churches. It helps to think past the commonly held belief that we need buildings to start a corps and prayerfully consider the implementation of home churches or cell groups. We have made beautiful strides in ministering to the immigrant workers from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and India and the government appreciates our ministry to the elderly, alienated youth, and children. In the Little India area, the Army rented a home in what used to be a red-light area, and we have made it into a café where immigrants can come and have an inexpensive but healthy meal.
The territory includes diverse cultures and languages. Some of these are stringent about protecting their culture, which includes their religion (most often Buddhism). Please pray for creativity among Salvationists to evangelize, disciple, and serve in all four countries.
How is that total experience impacting you both upon your return to the USA?
It grieved us to suddenly leave Myanmar because of the military coup. However, simplicity, hospitality, and openness to learning are some aspects that deeply touched us. We share stories in our corps of the Army’s ministries and encourage the believers in the USA to pray for the Salvationists, other believers, and the junta leaders. Singapore, as a newly established Army territory, seeks to develop leaders and strives to incorporate biblical orthodoxy into its daily practices as the Army.
Do you have any concluding words of encouragement or counsel for our readers?
We were privileged to be appointed to Myanmar and then to Singapore. We often think that ministry abroad can only be done by officers, but teachers, engineers, construction workers, IT people, and many others can visit countries as tourists and help three to six months at a time.
For instance, one Salvationist couple from Australia who are landscapers saved funds and came to Myanmar every year to teach brass music to a corps in Yangon. There is a commissioner’s daughter who has lived in Yangon for close to 30 years and teaches English in a school. Asit has taken up a responsibility to teach English to a young Burmese girl who was our neighbor in Yangon; he has been teaching her English every Friday morning on his day off for the last couple of years.
Please consider going abroad and find new ways to share the gospel to all people. We can teach English to a young child in Myanmar, Thailand, or Malaysia by sitting in our home in the U.S. Singapore’s population of 5.5 million has 1 million immigrant workers—you and I can be one of them.
Thank you, Asit and Sunetra. Our prayer is that both your stateside service and your ongoing connections overseas will continue to be effective and personally rewarding. You can be sure that SAconnects and the USA East are cheering you on.
