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Advent Prayer - Burma (Myanmar)

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Published: Tuesday 06 December 2011

Advent Prayer - Burma (Myanmar)

Project(s): 75-763, 75-821

Country: South and East Asia, Myanmar, Burma

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given. Isaiah 9:6

Children at an orphanage give thanks for the provision of clean water by a well and water tank paid for by Barnabas Fund

“We are afraid the Burmese soldiers will be attacking our village at any time. We had to leave everything behind. We don’t know when it will be safe to go back.” These are the words of a villager from central Kachin in Burma (Myanmar), who was forced to flee after violence broke out in June 2011 between government forces and rebel troops when a 17-year ceasefire was broken. Over 20,000 Kachin people are thought to have been displaced by the conflict; 90% of the Kachin are Christians. Human rights activists are reporting an increased incidence of rape against Kachin women in this latest military action. The Kachin Women’s Association Thailand (KWAT) reported 18 cases of gang rape over an eight day period in June; four of the victims were killed after being raped.

Most Christians in Burma are members of non- Burman ethnic minorities; they are frequently targeted by the military, partly for their ethnicity and partly for their faith. The ruling military junta treat Christians as the enemy, raiding jungle villages, destroying churches and houses and killing those who do not manage to escape in time. Many children are orphaned in this anti- Christian violence. Barnabas Fund supports a home for orphans where they can receive a Christian education in a safe environment. Despite the great hardships the children have experienced, the atmosphere at the shelter is positive.

Barnabas also funded the building of a well and pump to provide clean water at a small Christian orphanage. A Barnabas Fund partner said, “Words cannot express how grateful we are. The Lord has put us to work together according to His purpose.”

Give thanks that Barnabas Fund is able to support in Burma through a variety of projects. Pray for continued safe distribution of aid to those families who have been forced to flee their homes. Lift to the Lord the Christian children who have lost one or both parents in anti-Christian violence, and pray that they receive love, support and protection. Thank the Lord for the faithfulness and courage of Christians in Burma, and pray that they may continue to worship the Lord, even in these difficult times.