For month two, my team was sent into the heart of Burma. It was only until we were on our way into this country that I discovered that it no longer goes by Burma; it’s new name is Myanmar.
We were briefly told that this country was closed for many years. A few people that I know personally have told me about their experiences trying to get into Myanmar. Here is a glimpse into what my squad mentor, Chris Scott, went through when trying to get into Myanmar when he was on the World Race over 6 years ago.
“I was in Thailand in April 2009. On two occasions, we were able to go into Burma for the day. We got stamped out of Thailand and began walking across the bridge to Burma. Once we arrived on the Burmese side, we filled out the necessary paperwork and then were “kindly” told that we had to leave our passports at the border. We were instructed to be back no later than 5pm to pick up our passports and to leave their country. We were also given 2 “guides” to accompany us as we explored. Later, our host, Ray, informed us that these “guides” actually worked for the government as a type of spy. Their job was to make sure we did not get into any trouble, that we did not do anything Christian, and that we stayed within 5kms of the border. At this time, unbeknownst to most of the world, their was a terrible civil war – more of an ethnic cleansing – in the midst of Burma and they had every intention of keeping it a secret.”
To give a short overview, Myanmar was long considered a pariah state due to it’s appalling human rights record. From 1962 to 2011, the country was ruled by a military junta (junta defined here) that wielded absolute power in the face of international condemnation. The generals who ran the country stood accused of gross human rights abuses, including forcible relocation of civilians and the widespread use of forced labor, including children.
Under reforms and a new government since 2011, Myanmar has unblocked international news websites and YouTube. In 2012, it lifted pre-publication censorship for the press and allowed privately-owned daily newspapers to publish. (Source)
The basic rights that we feel entitled to back in the states are JUST NOW being given to the people here in this country. The Burmese people were stripped of their freedom and oppressed by a power hungry government for half a century.
As of today, around 90% of the population are practicing Buddhists and the remaining 10% encompases Hinduists, Muslims, and Christians. Just in my short time here, I’ve seen countless Buddhist temples and monks. There are big, elaborate buildings throughout the cities and countrysides, as well as shrines worshipping Buddha in people’s homes.
I have been able to actually go into these homes and see them for myself. Everyday so far, our ministry hosts (Richard and Hannah – locals in the community) have taken us to people’s houses to share the Gospel message with them. All morning, and even times throughout the night, we are being welcomed into a stranger’s home. They know exactly what we are there to talk about and they treat us with utmost kindness and warm hospitality. Each time after sharing the Gospel, we ask if they have ever heard a message like this and, sadly, most shake their head no. If they have heard of Jesus, He was always described as nothing more than a prophet or good teacher.
And we were there to explain that He is so much more!
We started sharing the Gospel with the people here less than a week ago and have witnessed almost 20 people renounce their old religion and false gods and put their faith in Jesus Christ! It has been seemingly effortless. We simply sit with them and share who Jesus is and let the Holy Spirit do the rest of the work. The atmosphere changes as the weight and burden of religion gets lifted off of the shoulders of people who have been oppressed their whole lives. They see the Light and enter into a relationship with the one, true God who cares for them deeply.
Before I left for the World Race, a question I received from people was, “How much good can you really do in only one month?”
My response, “None.”
There is hardly anything I can do on my own in just one month. If real change is ever going to happen, it needs to come from within the community – not outside of it. The objective is not to enter into these countries with a white savior complex, but to simply point to the Savior who is for all people.
The real question here is, “How much good can God really do in one month?”
Boy, let me tell you!! In the presence of God, what happens in a year can happen in a month, what happens in a month can happen in a day, what happens in a day can happen in an hour, and what happens in an hour can happen in a minute! (Words spoken by Heidi Baker at a conference I went to during month one in Indonesia)
God is doing amazing things here in Myanmar! The people here are hungry to know about Him, and once they do, they have a fire inside of them to share Jesus with their family and everyone around them. It’s incredible to witness and be a part of!
As I reflect on this past week, I am reminded of how significant a name change is in the Kingdom of God. In Scripture, when God changed someone’s name it was to establish a new identity. (Refer to Gn 17:5, 15 Gn 32:28 Jn 1:42). Something in my spirit tells me that that is exactly what God is up to in this country. The name, Burma, was a reminder of the oppressive military junta that ruled over the people for decades. Taking on the new name, Myanmar, was a symbolic way for this country and the people to step into their new identity. The name actually stems from the Burmese word Myanma – meaning fast and strong people.
The Light is shining through the darkness and God is claiming this nation as His own. They operate from a new name and the people are rising up – fast and strong!
