Listening to God - Joshua School Begins
Many people have never heard the story of how the ACM Joshua School began, but it is one worth telling. It is a story of faith, obedience, and God's unmistakable guidance. At a pivotal moment in Asian Children's Mission's history, several people sensed God leading us in a new direction. We believed He would make a way, and by faith, we moved forward.
In 2017, while visiting Myanmar, we gathered with our staff in Pyin Oo Lwin and Mandalay to discuss a dream that had been growing in our hearts: opening a school for children with disabilities.
The inspiration for this vision was a young boy named Tinmann, the son of Baihum and Nangram, who had faithfully served with ACM since its earliest days. Tinmann had been diagnosed with cerebral palsy at birth and was now 12 years old.
In Myanmar, where Buddhism is the predominant religion, disabilities are often viewed as the result of bad karma. Because of these deeply rooted beliefs, children with disabilities were frequently excluded from society. Most were not permitted to attend school, and many families kept them hidden from public view. At that time, there were virtually no educational opportunities for children or adults with special needs anywhere in Myanmar.
What happened next still humbles us.
When we shared our vision with Baihum and Nangram, both immediately began to cry. Through their tears, they told us:
"While Tinmann was still in the womb, we prayed that God would give us a healthy son. One who would grow strong and serve Him all his life. We prayed the same prayer during his birth. But when Tinmann was born, it was immediately clear that something was wrong. For the past twelve years, we have prayed every day that God would miraculously heal our son, but He has not. Now you come to us with a dream we never imagined, not just help for our son, but for many others like him. We know in this moment that this is God's plan. Tinmann is the beginning of a new chapter in Myanmar. Through this school, children like him will receive love, education, and hope, and countless parents will hear the Gospel and discover the hope that only comes through Jesus Christ."
Their words confirmed what God had already been stirring in our hearts.
The challenges facing people with disabilities in Myanmar have always been immense. Stigma, limited understanding, and a lack of resources have created overwhelming barriers for families. Following the military coup in February 2021, these hardships only intensified. Yet through God's faithfulness, Joshua School, founded in September 2017, continues to thrive.
Today, students who were once hidden away are welcomed into classrooms filled with love, learning, and hope. Our teachers receive specialized training that has exceeded our expectations, and our students arrive each day excited to learn. Even more importantly, the school has become a place where families experience the love of Christ in tangible ways.
What began with one little boy has become a ministry that is changing lives, restoring dignity, and pointing families to Jesus. We are continually reminded that God's plans are always greater than our own, and we are deeply grateful for the faithful supporters whose prayers and generosity have made this remarkable story possible.
