Burma Oct '07

BURMA WATCH: THE NATION'S CONFLICT

As political tensions reach an all-time high, rioting and violence fill the streets. Victory Churches of Burma, and a new orphanage, stands amidst an intense struggle for power.

Key: Junta – military dictatorship.

Ten thousand Buddhist monks marched though Burma’s capital city last month, chanting ‘Democracy! Democracy!’ Demonstrators held up picket signs saying ‘Free Burma’ in defiance to the ruling government, who sent in troops in an attempt to end the biggest anti-junta protests in nearly twenty years. People lined the streets clapping and cheering against forty-five years of military rule.

As demonstrators left the area around Sule Pagoda, in central Rangoon, riot police and troops moved in. Eight trucks carrying police armed with rifles, shields and batons and eleven army trucks packed with soldiers, drove in. This was the junta’s attempt at counteracting any further protests in the city.

In 1988 this same area was the scene of a military crackdown on nationwide pro-democracy demonstrations in which three thousand people were killed. Vehicles presently tour the city as an ominous reminder of those killings. They carry loudspeakers blaring out threats of action from the government under a law that allows troops to break up illegal protests.

The broadcasts say ‘‘People are not to follow, encourage or take part in these marches. Action will be taken against those who violate this order.’’

Myanmar (otherwise known as Burma) is currently under the rule of military junta, which suppresses almost all dissent and maintains absolute power in the face of international condemnation and UN sanctions. The generals and the army stand accused of gross human rights abuses including forcible relocation of civilians and widespread use of forced labour – including children.

Whilst the Burmese government struggles to obtain power, in the midst of riots and chaos, God’s kingdom is being established. The authorities use children as instruments for their own present gain, seeing them as tools to manipulate, but God knows that children are the future in any nation, and He has been stirring the hearts of His people in Myanmar.  Judy is a third year Burmese student at VBCI Thailand. During her summer holidays, Judy was led by God to set up a children’s home in Rangoon, the exact location of the current troubles.

Judy’s vision for a children’s home started during her first year at VBCI. She had planned on waiting until her fourth year, as her intention was to make this her Bachelor of Ministry project, but when she saw how the need was so great and immediate, Judy obeyed God’s prompting and opened the home.

Presently thirteen orphans are being cared for under this ministry. From remote hill tribes these girls were abandoned and left destitute without hope or a future. Now they live, eat and sleep at Judy’s home. Judy’s ministry is also teaching and equipping these young people to live blessed, breaking the stronghold of poverty and destruction in their lives.

Judy explains how the riots and government crackdowns have affected the children there;

‘The government will shoot children. Many children have died already. Nobody goes out because of the protests, if you do it is very dangerous.’

Pastor Ram is a national leader for Victory Churches of Burma. This summer he met together with the church leaders for their first annual Victory conference, and all the leaders received fresh vision and strength. But we have just gotten word from him that the military government threw them out of their building so they now congregate whenever possible on a nearby field just outside the village.

The international community has condemned the junta’s actions in Burma. The UN Security Council recently deplored the military crackdown in the midst of peaceful protests. The EU have placed sanctions but to little effect.

In the midst of all this chaos, Judy plans to open a second children’s home next year in the city of Mejitkejima.  Pray for increase in Rangoon and for the supply of finances to her ministry.

Please also remember Pastor Ram and the churches in Burma. Please join in prayer with us that God can resolve this situation, and for finances to redeem the church building.

Please pray for Burma at this crucial time, that we would not see a repeat of the 1988 massacres but,that this nation would be opened up to the gospel of Jesus Christ and we would see a great harvest.

Simon Crowe

Copyright © 2007

Continuum Media is the media vehicle for A & D World Missions Canada