Yuri of Burma: His Other Sheep story and his song Fly!

Excerpt: I would like you to listen to one of Yuri's songs -- a song he composed himself. You can hear it here on the Other Sheep website, and (especially after) knowing his story (below), you will be deeply moved as you hear him sing his song Fly!.

 

by Rev. Steve Parelli

February 20, 2013

Bronx, New York

 

 

At last, all our Other Sheep 2012 reports are posted on our websites. The February 20, 2013 Other Sheep electronic newsletter (click here) will link you to those reports.

 

Personally, every report was an immense blessing to me. I would like, however, to point you to one report in particular and for one reason in particular.

 

Yuri Saw's report on the Burmese translation, and subsequent distribution, of The Children Are Free (what the Bible does and does not say about homosexuality) is of particular interest to me (and no doubt, of particular interest to all our volunteer Coordinators at Other Sheep) for this reason: Yuri independently, indigenously, and with finances he raised himself, took his first meeting with Other Sheep in 2009 and, through his oversight of the translation and distribution in Thailand and Burma of The Children Are Free, reproduced, in his local and regional context, the mission and vision of the full inclusion of LGBT people within the church.

 

(See the blog "Burmese Baptist Christians Translate, Print and Distribute book on the Bible and Homosexuality")

 

Jose and I have personally seen accounts like this happen in India, Nepal, East Africa and other regions where individuals who hear, perhaps for the first time, the articulation of the message of LGBT inclusion, reproduce that message in their context. (In their hearts, they already knew the message to be the truth.)

 

Yuri is a gay Christian gospel singer and human rights activist for LGBT people. His faith heritage is Burmese Baptist and evangelical. His mother, supportive of her son, teaches at a Christian college in Burma.

 

I would like you to listen to one of Yuri's songs -- a song he composed himself. You can hear it here on the Other Sheep website, and knowing his story, you will be deeply moved as you hear him sing his song Fly!.