One night last week I went to the Burmeese refugee camp tonight with Katey, Lauren, and Gina.
I never could have been prepared for what I saw or how amazing the Lord is. We were picked up by the Burmese pastor and 2 friends of his and driven about 3 miles from where we have been staying. He was the only one that spoke English.
I am still a little unsure of the history of the Burmese camps, but I know that the people have made their way into Thailand from Burma (Myanmar) to escape the conditions in Burma. Once in Thailand they are treated as refugees and not given many rights. They are not allowed to own transportation, cell phones or anything else of value. The children are not allowed to be educated and all the people have a curfew in the camp of 8 A.M. They are basically prisoners in their own homes.
They lived in a 12×12 room that was made entirely of tin. Tin roof, tin walls, etc…They did not have running water, bathrooms, etc…but they did have electricity. Their living conditions were extremely humble to say the least. But, these people had Jesus. They had more Jesus than I had seen in a long time, maybe the entire time I have been gone. I don’t know that I have met such humble, loving servants of our King.
The excitement they had that we had come to visit them blew me away. They were encouraged and uplifted because we had come to see them, but really we were the ones who were encouraged.
I fought back tears the entire time we were there because of their obvious love for Jesus. They were 5 people who lived in a refugee camp of 800 non-believers. 5 people who clung desperately to the hope of Jesus. 5 people who have zero material possessions, but have more joy, love, and compassion than anyone I have met thus far. It was also not lost on me the persecution they must face because of their faith. I can’t imagine being one of only 5 that proclaim Jesus as Lord. I travel with 25 other people and sometimes I can’t muster that kind of courage.
The pastor remarked that he had been taken to the police station this week because he took 20 kids to school. Imagine the faith he must have to stand up and claim that these children have a right to education, when the government says they have no such right.
Our evening consisted of praying to open the service. I use the term service loosely-as we simply gathered in their home and sat on the floor. A wooden plank floor covered by plastic mats. There were the 4 of us, the pastor and his 2 friends and then 6 Burmese people. We sat amongst 2 fans and many mosquitoes and met an intimate God in that place. We sang three worship songs, we sang in English, they sang in Burmese–what a sound. I imagined it to be like heaven, all of us praising in our native tongues and God understanding every word. We didn’t understand each other, but God understood all of us. After worship the Pastor asked each of us to share a bit, or something that the Lord had been doing in our lives.
The Lord led me to Phil 3:20 “Our citizenship is in heaven” I thought it important to point out that this is just our temporary dwelling—none of us live here, not in the refugee camps, not in a strange country far from home, not in the comfort of our home. I have heard it said “We are spiritual beings having a temporary earthly experience”. I wanted to encourage them that even though their conditions are deplorable, they are temporary. Their Abba Father is building for them a home in heaven more majestic than we can imagine. Even though they are uncomfortable and sad to be removed from everything they know, their God loves them and wants to draw them to Himself.
As usual, God didn’t intend for this scripture and this revelation for my brothers and sisters. He intended it for me. He wanted ME to be reminded that my citizenship is in Heaven. I have been sad this week and nearly consumed with thoughts of friends and family back home. Consumed with thoughts of air conditioning, warm showers, comfortable beds-all of these were thoughts were a constant distraction from what He was trying to say to me. He used a simple 12×12 tin building and 5 Burmese people to remind me that my citizenship is in heaven.
More than anything I felt a strange connection to these people beause they were indefinitely living a life that I chose for only a year. They were living in a foreign land, in uncomfortable conditions, but they were unwittingly lights to their community.
I am living in a foreign land, in uncomfortable conditions, and am asked by the Lord to be a light to those around me. There is one difference: my Burmese brothers and sisters live this life indefinitely. I chose it for one year. How can I do it with the grace of these people?
I think I learned more in my two hours with them then I have learned all month. They live with humility. They live proclaiming Jesus is Lord. Over and over and I heard them say PRAISE THE LORD. Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord…again and again. When was the last time I uttered those words from the depths of my heart?
When was the last time you were consumed by passion for His name?
