“You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are grey
You never know, dear, how much I love you
Please don’t take my sunshine away”
These are the song lyrics that greeted us as we sat in a small building that was tucked away off of the busy streets in Penang, Malaysia. We did not know anything about who we were going to teach, all we knew is that a certain school needed our help! Sitting in front of us, with plastered smiles, were about 30 or so little faces. Faces that were in anticipation of what was to come!!
After the students stood up and begin to sing the lyrics to “you are my sunshine” tears filled my eyes…
Rohingya.
A word that I have NEVER before heard nevertheless could pronounce. I was totally caught off guard as the team and I sat and learned about the people group that we were about to teach from their director, Ms. Moon.
Rohingya.
Rohingya is an Indo-Aryan ethnic group of people that are stated to be one of the most persecuted minorities IN THE WORLD! The Myanmar law does NOT recognize the ethnic minority, therefore the government restricts them from the freedom of movement, state education, and jobs!!! They are driven out of their country ( Myanmar) and they flee to neighboring Asian countries. They are REFUGEES! (A refugee, generally speaking, is a displaced person who has been forced to cross national boundaries and who cannot return home safely. )
“These children cannot move freely in their country because they aren’t “supposed” to be there, according to the law and the government. So I created a school so that they could learn something! Their mothers stay in, while their fathers ( if they have fathers) usually go out and try to find some form of work which is illegal because they cannot legally work. Their conditions are bad. It’s SAD! After school they have to go directly home where they stay inside the house because they could face great danger if they are caught! After the students turn 13, they usually are given over to marriage and that’s all the education they usually receive outside of learning how to read the Quran.Its sad conditions! They have no future if we don’t give them one!” Mrs. Moon communicated to me as we moved from the main space to the Kindergarten classroom!
Mrs. Moon moved to Penang, Malaysia with her husband 6 years ago from America. The she School she created, meets Monday-Saturday from 9-12am and they have about 5-6 teachers who volunteer their time to teach these students Math, English, Science, different creative lessons and more! It is incredible! I am so grateful we were able to partner with Mrs. Moon and her school!
My heart broke as I learned about these children and their families. At that moment, I felt angry, broken, sad, and confused. These little innocent faces. WHY? To the Government they are invisible and a threat. These little kids were so hungry to learn whatever was before them. They were filled with so much love so much joy! Lord, why are they facing so much hatred? The Lord then reminded me of Colossians. Paul communicated to his writers that ‘ For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or authorities or rulers; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him, all hold together.’
God reminded me that even though the Government does not recognize them. Even though they are the most persecuted group. HE HAS NOT FORGOTTEN ABOUT THEM! THEY ARE SPECIAL TO HIM! That HE created this specific group! They have a special place in HIS KINGDOM. IN HIS HEART!! HE HAS A PLAN FOR EACH OF THEIR LIVES! That the government sits on his shoulders! As his disciples, our job is to love and pray for the Rohingya people group! To find time to volunteer and help them learn. That one small seed will grow big trees!!
So, how can we not take their sunshine away, when the government is trying to do so??? PRAY!! Will you help us pray for these lovely people and children? Also, If you are ever in ASIA specifically MYANMAR, MALAYSIA or surrounding countries, I challenge you to find someone who works with this particular group and HELP! (anyway you can)! My teammate Katie puts it this way…. (read her entire blog here)
” I’m out here to make an impact for the Kingdom of God. That is my mission no matter where I am. And I have learned that one of the best ways to do that is to pray. I can’t physically do anything to help that little boy but God can. So I will pray and intercede for him and for the rest of the Rohingya people because God is in control and powerful and moving among the nations.
Today, I want to ask you to make an impact through prayer. Pray for my friend, his family, the Rohingya people. Heck! I don’t care what you pray for, just start talking to God! Every single one of us could use a little more conversation with God in our lives. But I hope that as you start praying for yourself and the people you know that your heart is moved to start praying for those around the world that you may not know. Please, pray for the nations. We need it.”
Love yall so much! Thank you for sending me to love them!
……and guess what.. I AM FULLY FUNDED!!!!!!!!
Because of YOU… I can continue to do THIS!!!
Love yall,
Meyuna
