I’m at a loss of words for how to write this blog.
How do I adequately describe the atrocities that have been occurring in Burma since 1948? How do I share the dangers the Karen people are in on a daily basis? How do I explain what the largest refugee camp looks like? How do I portray what it’s like to look into the eyes of a 17-year old Burmese child who was once a child soldier and is now an orphan and refugee in Thailand? How do I share my disgust with the world in not bringing awareness and change to the obvious human rights violations that are still happening to this day in Burma? This is not an old conflict where everything is fine and dandy now; no, people are still dying, people are still suffering, and people are still being persecuted in both Burma and Thailand.
The gist of the civil war is that the Burmese military is attempting to eradicate Burmese tribal groups, with the Karen people being the most attacked. It has been a genocide as the military goes through the countryside burning down villages and murdering everyone within them. The Karen people have nowhere to go but to Thailand where they are placed in refugee camps plagued with corruption, disease, and poverty. These camps were not made to be run for 40 years, yet they are still here to this day and expanding at an alarming rate. These Burmese people have nowhere to go, and that is not right. Last night, we drove to the border and saw tents of people living in the river bed—no man’s land between Thailand and Burma. These people literally have nowhere to go. They aren’t accepted in Thailand and they could be killed in Burma. Yet in a few short months their land is going to be underwater and then what will they do?
HOW ARE THESE THINGS STILL HAPPENING?
I wish there was a way I could explain my emotions through words right now, but there’s not. I’m pissed beyond belief but I know there’s nothing I can do in Burma except pray.
However, 2 days ago we were able to visit the largest refugee camp in Thailand. While we couldn’t go in because of red tape, Ray, our contact, had us meet some kids from a children’s home for lunch. They came out of the camp and met us at a nearby restaurant. Here we were, sitting with ex-child soldiers and orphans and children that have seen more death than I could ever imagine, and we got to love them. These kids just need love in a place where there is none.
Being at the refugee camp, smiling at Burmese children, the whole situation got so real. These are names and faces and people that I can see and hug. These kids have stories that are real and complicated. These are children with hopes, fears, dreams, hobbies, and friends. We asked them what they wanted to be when they grew up. They hope to be doctors, lawyers, nurses, business owners, etc. These kids have hopes with no way to get out of their hopeless situations.
Please be praying for Burma; for these kids, for the Karen people, both in Burma and in Thailand.
God is bigger than genocide. He’s bigger than refugee camps. He’s bigger than persecution. He’s bigger than armies.
And He can bring change to the entire situation.
None of this is fun to read, but know that there is hope in the darkness. There is currently a 30-day cease fire and on April 1st they are having democratic elections where a democratic prime minister is said to hopefully when.
PRAY BOLDLY.
PRAY FOR CHANGE.
PRAY THAT THE ELECTIONS ON APRIL 1ST GO WELL.
PRAY THAT THESE KIDS ARE FREED FROM THE REFUGEE CAMPS.
PRAY THAT THE WORLD STEPS IN AND MAKES A DIFFERENCE HERE.
God has been teaching me so much about prayer this month, and I know that God has us in this place for a reason. He has us here at this time for a reason, and it’s not to see waterfalls.
Tomorrow we are going to Burma for a time of prayer walks and worship. Please pray that we are able to make a difference there and that God shows up in big ways. God has been moving this month in the W squad, both for the men and the women. I know that through God all things are possible, and that what is going on in Burma can and will be stopped ONLY through the power of Christ.
*If you want a better grasp of what this Burma situation is like, watch the newest Rambo movie. It sounds ridiculous, but trust me, it’s exactly what’s happening here. We’re actually living in the city where the movie starts. Watching it a few days ago, I was literally nauseous and overwhelmed to tears by what is happening around me.
**The reason you never hear about all the terrible things in Burma and the reason the US doesn’t step in is the fact that Burma is backed by China, North Korea, and Pakistan, so US intervention could start a major war. Please pray that news stations began to cover the situation more and raise awareness to the situation.
***Also, please be praying for the women on W Squad. They are currently in Chiang Mai and Phuket going to bars every night to invest in the lives of the prostitutes there and give them options to get out of that industry and into ministries that will provide them jobs. I will discuss this in another blog, but the things that these girls see and experience should never been seen or experienced by anyone ever. It’s a dark place but the light of Christ is blowing it up on a daily basis.
