Vision for Burma

Photo via Free Burma Rangers

On 19 February, 2010, Burma Army troops from MOC 7 attacked the school at Ta U Plaw and wounded Saw Eh Kaw Thaw, 12 years old, and Saw Ree Re, 10 years old. Saw Eh Kaw Thaw was wounded in his right hand and Saw Ree Re was wounded in his right leg. We (K5 FBR Luthaw) took these photos and helped to take care of the boys. They are ok now. But another boy, Saw Roe Bee Moo,16 years old, was wounded deeply in the side and stomach. We tried to send him to a clinic but on the 21st of February he died. We are very sad about this.

More via The Free Burma Rangers

“Migrant workers make huge contributions to Thailand’s economy, but receive little protection from abuse and exploitation,” Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch, said. “Those from (Myanmar), Cambodia and Laos suffer horribly at the hands of corrupt civil servants and police, unscrupulous employers, and violent thugs, who all realize they can abuse migrants with little fear of consequences.”
More via UPI.com

Myanmar troops have gang-raped, murdered and even crucified Karen women, or those in their charge, who took on the roles of village chiefs in hopes they would be less likely abused than traditional male leaders, a Karen group said Thursday.

More via the Washington Post

Two bombs exploded on Friday around noon at a market in Kawkareik Township in southern Karen State, leaving three people injured and causing minor damage, according to sources in the area. One undetonated bomb was also discovered.

Read more via By THE IRRAWADDY

In Isaiah 44, God’s Word says “You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one. All who make idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Those who would speak up for them are blind; they are ignorant to their own shame. Who shapes a god and casts an idol, which can profit him nothing?” Ninety-six percent of the people in Burma worship false gods who can profit them nothing. The Buddhist roots of Burma are evident everywhere. Their gods do not answer prayer. The prayers go up, but to no avail; they do not have the power to save. We serve the God who made all things; He stretched out the heavens and spread out the earth. There is no God besides Him.

With that knowledge we are given a tremendous responsibility to share truth with those who do not know the Good News. It is written in Romans 10, “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’“ Oh Lord, let us be those feet!

Pray For

• A Breaking Down of the False gods
• Deception keeping people in bondage to false religions will be broken.
• The truth to be proclaimed fearlessly.
• Laborers to be sent into the Harvest field.

Listen to Patrick speaking of the Karen refugee situation on Crosstalk on December 8, 2009

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Cyclone Nargis struck May 3rd, 2008, leaving 2-3 million homeless, 60,000 orphans, over 300,000 dead, and $10 billion in damage. Entire villages were destroyed and families wiped out. The government refused all aid. Even 2 years later, the effects are still evident everywhere. Burma was already among the poorest countries of the world; even before the cyclone there was great need. Now, even what they had has been taken from them. Occupations have been destroyed, farmers have lost water buffalo to plow their rice paddies, fishing boats were destroyed, and seed crops were decimated. Many women were widowed and must now support families; orphaned children are in need of shelter and education. Thousands of children are at risk of human trafficking because they have lost the protective covering of their families. Amidst the dark despair we see Christ’s light shine even brighter. We have an opportunity to shine His light before men; that they may see our deeds and glorify our father in heaven.

Pray For: The Recovery

Those who lost family will be comforted and provided for. Opportunities to regain lost livelihoods. Access to shelter and education for orphans.

Burma, with a population of about 56 million, occupies an area slightly smaller than Texas. Eighty-nine percent of the population is Buddhist, 4% Christian, and 7% follow other religions. Religious persecution is common.

In 1989, the military government officially changed the name to Myanmar, as part of a political and cultural reform. Many opposition groups and governments (including the US, UK, Australia, France, and Canada) choose not to recognize the name because the term Myanmar has historically been used as a label for the majority ethnic group rather than the country.

Burma is ruled by a brutal military regime, known for widespread and systematic human rights abuses. It is one of the poorest nations in Southeastern Asia and among the 50 poorest in the world.

Education is only mandatory to the age of 9, and as a result the workforce is largely uneducated. The government is highly corrupt, ranking 178 out of 180 countries worldwide in the corruption perception index. Yet, nothing is hidden from God; He will judge justly.

Pray For: The Nation

• That many will come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
• For peaceful transition to a democratic government.
• For an end to human rights abuses.

Patrick talks to Voice of the Martyrs:

The Burmese army is carrying out a massive killing campaign against its people, and the world is unaware, Patrick Klein of Vision Beyond Borders told VOM staff…

More via www.persecution.com

Join us as we set aside 30 days of prayer for the people of Burma. The 30 day prayer guide will help you focus your prayers an major issues in Burma and help bring to light many of the problems that have gone unnoticed by the west for decades. You will also get to know real people, read real stories and hear testimonies of what God is doing in the lives of your brothers and sisters, even in the midst of unspeakable persecution. 

Burma: A 30 Day Prayer Guide