Vision for Burma

My name is Seng Mon.  I am 11 years old. I have been here four months.  It took me one day to travel here. My father died and my mother was taken away by the Burmese soldiers. I came here, because in Burma it is very dangerous. I have seen the Burmese soldiers raping girls. There are many landmines around our village in Burma.  I feel safe here and I want to learn to speak English.

My name is Kham Loo, I am 13 years old. I have been here for eleven months. My parents were killed in Burma.  I am an only child.  It was very dangerous for me to get here. I had to avoid the many landmines. I saw the Burmese soldiers come into my village and have witnessed many of my friends being murdered. Many girls have been raped and then killed by Burmese soldiers. Other girls who were gang raped became crazy.  The Burmese soldiers also took our harvest.

My name is Ja Sian Ban. I am 12 years old. I still have parents in Burma, but they are very poor.  I have not seen my family in three years. Burmese soldiers took away our savings. I have seen my people being killed by Burmese soldiers. I still have very bad dreams.   I ran away from Burma.  I want to become a nurse and help my people. I am happy now.  I have food to eat and I learn English and computer skills.

Here’s one from a Christian Soldier.

A 33 year-old soldier who is married with one child said, “I am very afraid to protect families. When the Burmese Army comes, they can kidnap you and make you become a “porter” to carry food and bullets or become a mine-sweeper (usually resulting in death). We cannot work in the fields to get food, because we have to stay close to the village. We work today to eat today. We cannot plan ahead.

“My uncle was captured by the Burmese Army and they forced him to make five baskets. He did everything they asked him and made the baskets. Then the Burmese Army told him he had to become a porter for them, but he said, ‘No.’ They shot him dead on the spot.”

“My father and mother were very poor. There was not enough food to eat and not enough clothes. We lived in such poverty. We could not work in the fields, because it was too dangerous if the Burmese showed up.  Life is so difficult and I wanted my family to have a good life. My father died of an aneurysm after he was forced to carry heavy things for the Burmese Army. My mom is in a refugee camp. Sometimes I want to kill the Burmese Army for what they do to my people.”

We asked him what the Bible meant to him: “I read the Bible and I have peace. It gives me happiness. Sometimes I lie in the hammock and read and it gives me peace. Reading the Bible keeps me satisfied. When I look in the past, I cry, and then the Word of God makes me happier. Everywhere I go I carry this small Bible­it has the power to help us. I work in intelligence and hear much bad news­about soldiers getting killed. It hits me hard. But the Word of God makes me happier when I am so sad. It’s a miracle.”

Testimony of a Christian lady who has suffered in Burma.

A 38 year-old widow with 3 children ages 16, 8, and 5 years old shared, “We have to flee many times and sleep in the jungle when the Burmese Army comes. Sometimes we are one month in the jungle, sometimes 1 week or 2 weeks. In one year we had to flee more than 10 times. God saved me in the jungle. Four years ago my husband stepped on a land mine and died. Because of God I can live until now. I know God can do great things. I’ve been a Christian for 10 years. I have no Bible now. Five years ago I had a Bible, but the Burmese Army took it and tore all the pages out.”  We were able to give her a brand new Karen Bible that day!