This newsletter features pieces layered with depth. The narratives by our authors point out how each of their experiences is laden with grief and sacrifice but undergirded by assurance that those sacrifices were a divine call. Chayah Sparsham, in the final part of her series, addresses the backlash she experienced in her community when she chose to be a pediatric psychiatry nurse. By walking us through her inner monologue, we see the weight of cultural inheritances clashing with God’s guidance in her life. Similarly, Ma May Si, an OSOF Fellow, walks us through interviews in which an unspoken grief is felt when reflecting on past ways of life that could still have been lived. These stories are valuable as they voice the complex layers of the diaspora experience. This persistent sense of loss may ebb and flow but, as Chayah words it, “the ache has a peculiar peace; it outweighs and is light in affliction, knowing whose name will be glorified.”
The Nurse and the Community
·
Jul 23
By Chayah Sparsham (pseudonym), a registered nurse in the United States. Is it safe to say that in the Asian Christian community, the worthless idol may be our own community? We say we are Christians, yet we worship what we honor. We worship reputation. We worship marriage prospects, careers, trajectories, church standing and the opinions of aunties and uncles. We say Jesus is Lord, but the moment faithful obedience threatens family image we choose secrecy instead of truth.
Roots in Exile
·
Jul 23
By Ma May Si, OSOF Fellow and Vice President for the Matu Affairs Organization USA. Interviewing community members for the Our Stories, Our Faith (OSOF) fellows’ program has truly been an unforgettable and rewarding experience. Not only has this experience allowed me to connect with my community members, close friends and family more deeply, it has also allowed me to better understand the impact of migration and the broader social history of the Burma diaspora in Indianapolis.
You are warmly invited to attend the 2026 Our Story, Our Faith (OSOF) Conference: Burma Christian Diaspora in Indianapolis: Celebrating Our Stories, Embracing Our Challenges—an in-person and online gathering centering the faith and life of the Burma Christian diaspora.
***NOTE***
English to Burmese live interpretation is available for in-person participants.
အင်္ဂလိပ်ဘာသာစကား အခက်အခဲရှိသူများအတွက်လည်း မြန်မာဘာသာပြန် စီစဉ်ဆောင်ရွက်ပေးထားပါသည်။
📍Dates: August 7–8, 2026
📍In-Person Location: Falam Baptist Church of Indiana in Indianapolis, IN
📍Virtual Attendance: Airmeet
Together, we will:
Celebrate stories of migration, resilience, and faith
Address trauma, healing, and intergenerational challenges
Empower youth and emerging leaders
Reflect on Scripture through the lens of diaspora
Strengthen unity across churches, generations, and communities
Anyone interested in Asian American history, theology, discipleship, and mental health, regardless of connections to the Burma diaspora, is welcome to attend. You are all invited to join this meaningful space for both lament and hope as we seek renewal together in Christ.
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