There are around 80,000 refugees from the Kachin state alone in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. They come from northern Myanmar and travel however they can to get out of their own country. The Kachin people are one of only three states in Myanmar that are christian. Myanmar or Burma by another name is currently being run by the military of the country and they are NOT a christian military. In fact they persecute the christians in such a way that they run from their homes seeking help from whoever in a foreign country. The military seeks out christians and tortures and murders them and then burns their villages down because of there opposing beliefs.
The refugees get to Malaysia a couple of different ways. They can travel by automobile, in which case they have to pay somebody to take them across the border illegally because the government does not allow them to have passports. This normally involves a 12-14 day hike through the jungle to get to thailand were they then have to promise a bus driver that they will pay them back if they just drive them to Malaysia where they then have to spend lots of time working just to repay these bus drivers. The other way is to come by water which is even more dangerous and difficult.
When the burmese refugees get to Malaysia it isn’t all peace and tranquility for them. They are persecuted even here. They don’t have passports (they are here illegally) so they can be jailed here just for walking down the street. The jail time can last from a couple days to a couple years or deportation where when they get back to Myanmar they will be jailed for at least 20 years for fleeing the country.
The ultimate goal is to get on a list with the UN that eventually places them in a developed country to start over. Most of these people are middle aged and have families and are having to move to a country somewhere on the opposite side of the world that is way more developed than there own country and speaks a completely foreign language to “start over”. They will never be allowed to return to their home country because of the persecution they face for running.
Most of the refugees, about 80%, get placed in the USA. This process takes about 3 years. They register with the UN while they are in Malaysia and basically wait till there is a spot available. That process can take 3-7 years. They live in Malaysia, illegally, for 3-7 years. Never being able to walk around outside for fear that they may be taken to prison. Only on the hope that one day it will be better.
Well, I would like to tell you that these people are an inspiration to me. They all have a story. Everyone of them ran from their own country to be here in Malaysia to hope that someday they will be safe. I have met many of these refugees because we are working this month with them in their schools teaching the kids. They are awesome people. They have JOY even through everything that they have been through. They aren’t throwing a pity party for themselves, they are making the best of every day and have the HOPE of a greater tomorrow. It is inspirational. In some cases they left their families and jobs to run toward the unknown because it was where they could LIVE.
We have been teaching “American Culture” this month to Burmese refugees that hope to one day find themselves in America seeking out what we all take for granted. Freedom. Today I am thankful for my country and for God allowing me to be born there. Everyone in the world is not “safe”. Some are even not “safe” because they believe in Jesus Christ, but that does not let there strength waiver because that only come from the “Joy of the Lord”.
In Him,
Cody
(Below is a video made for fundraising for the primary schools of the Myanmar Refugees)
