The idea of living in a jungle is unthinkable for most Americans, but that’s the way it was for Than Than Aye's family.

Than Than longed for a better way of life for herself and her family. Thanks to the efforts of many organizations and the Fort Wayne (Indiana) Church, Than Than and her family were able to leave the jungle and find a new home in America.

In the late 1980s, Than Than and her family lived in Burma, now known as Myanmar. Seeking sanctuary from their country's civil war, the family lived in jungle refugee camps along the Thailand border for many years during a revolution, which continues to this day.

Than Than met her husband, Kyaw Zwa Myint, while she was living in a refugee camp. She was pleased to learn of a 300-member Seventh-day Adventist congregation and school in the camp where she lived.

Than Than and Kyaw Zwa learned about the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), an organization established to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. They applied for sponsorship to leave Burma. On the application, Than Than indicated she was a Seventh-day Adventist.

In the latter part of 1999, Catholic Charities in Indianapolis received the family's name. They contacted the Fort Wayne Church looking for someone to sponsor Than Than's family.

Church members were eager to help; they collected the necessary funds to sponsor the family's arrival and began an aggressive campaign to find and prepare a home for them.

On December 2, 1999, Than Than, Kyan Zwa, and their children were greeted at the airport by Fort Wayne members who took them to their new home. They were overwhelmed as they viewed the three-bedroom apartment fully furnished with food, clothes, bedding, furniture, and many other amenities.

Although there are cultural and language barriers, the family was blessed to learn Fort Wayne has one of the largest Burmese populations in the United States. God also blessed with an interpreter, Hti Mu, who has been a tremendous help communicating with the family.

The family still resides in Fort Wayne and attends the Fort Wayne Church. Than Than recently remarked, “We are very happy in Fort Wayne, and were excited with the news that the church was sponsoring us.”

Than Than's family is endeared to Jeanette Griffith, Fort Wayne community services director, for her ongoing outreach to them. Jeanette has helped with many medical, legal, and educational matters.

The family has grown since their arrival, with the birth of a son and granddaughter. Fort Wayne's women’s ministries held baby showers to welcome these new little ones.

The new friendship formed as a result of this outreach project has been a blessing to Fort Wayne members. They have learned a lot about another culture and enjoy special Burmese recipes cooked for them from time to time.

Fort Wayne members would like to acquire Adventist resources for outreach to other Burmese families in the community. If you have information about Adventist Burmese resources, please e-mail the church at office@fwsda.org.

Brett McAllister is the communication secretary for the Fort Wayne Church.