Can you imagine waking one morning to the sound of missile and rocket fire, knowing that those destructive forces were coming for you?  Can you imagine quickly packing everything you own into a pouch you can carry on your back, then grabbing your children and fleeing into a neighboring country to save your very life?  This is the reality of the Karen Christians of Burma.  Their own government is on a mission to wipe out their very existence.  Their crime?  They are Christians.

     Please read the following article and see how God might move you to respond.

Karen Christians Attacked in Burma

Karen Christians Attacked in Burma!

Written by James Jacobson

Thursday, 15 October 2009 12:23

SAULT STE. MARIE, MI --When the sounds of missiles and rocket fire could be heard dangerously close to their villages, fear of the impending destruction sent thousands of Karen families scrambling for their lives. The Burmese army has been launching a series of vicious attacks against Karen men, women, and children in Karen State of Burma, near the Thai border.  Entire villages have been destroyed. But the attacks weren't the only reason that so many chose to leave.  If they stayed, they knew they would run the risk of encountering dangerous landmines and forced recruitment as laborers of the Burmese army, particularly as porters and "human minesweepers." More than 5,000 Karen refugees have poured across the Thailand border.  Most are living in temporary sites in the Tha Song Yang District and remain in desperate need of adequate shelter, food, and clothing.  Many cases of malaria, diarrhea, and respiratory illnesses have been reported in these areas, igniting the overwhelming need of medical care. Although many refugees wish to return home, they continue to fear arrest, abuse or forced conscription by the Burmese army.  Sadly, many are just as afraid of attack in their current locations, which are only two hours away from the border and will become more easily accessible after the rainy season. In a region that's been weighed down by the burden of genocidal terror of decades, this latest outbreak of violence became one of the worst attacks against the Karen in recent times.  Since 1996 alone, the Burmese junta has destroyed over 3,000 villages and displaced 1.5 million ethnic citizens in the process. Without medical care, far too many Karen refugees--especially children--are suffering from severe illness.  Tragically, many will die without treatment.   Part of CFI's most important work in Burma has involved the provision of lifesaving medicine and medical care for thousands of Karen Christians and their families.  For many years, CFI has been a beacon of hope for refugees who hand nowhere else to turn to for the help they so desperately needed. CFI is working urgently to rebuild and restock three medical clinics that have been destroyed in the unrelentiong violence in Burma, as well as provide more supplies for our backpack medics.  Now, more than ever out ministry relies on the generosity of our donors to keep our operations going. Please prayerfully support our ministry to the Persecuted Church in Burma and Thailand today.  Help the persecuted Christians of Burma. Donate Now

Last Updated ( Thursday, 15 October 2009 13:21 )

What You Can Do

     Christian Freedom International has several ways in which we can become involved to help our persecuted brothers and sisters.  First, go to their web site and check out their many programs and see how God moves you. Also, contact CFI and ask them to send you the DVD, Operation Hope.  You will learn the history behind the current problems facing the Karen people and how the American government is involved.  You will also see first hand their plight.

     Here is some help to get started, "Where is your heart?"  Does it lean towards:

Medical Missions?  CFI has Backpack Medics and Jungle Hospitals that need funding. 

Idea #1  Host a dinner right in your home.  Invite a select group of friends who you think may share your interest to help in this area.  Serve dinner, show the DVD, Operation Hope, and then ask them if they would prayerfully consider making a collective donation with you for this cause.

Idea #2  Sell candy bars to raise money to sponsor one or both.

Educational Missions?  CFI has schools in Burma that need your help.

Idea #1  Have a Homeschoolers Mission Awareness Day.  Invite all your homeschooling friends, show the video, Operation Hope and take an offering or as a group organize a fundraising project that you can do together to raise money.  This could be a bake sale, walk a thon or other idea.  This is an opportunity to get press coverage by writing a press release about what you are doing.

Orphan Missions?  CFI has several orphanages.

Idea #1 Sponsor a child.  Write to them, encourage them, and watch them grow.

Food Missions?  CFI is always in need of funds to purchase food for the thousands of displaced Christians they serve.

Idea #1  Do a Food Funds Fundraiser.  Purchase or make small bags of rice, symbolic of the food you hope to have purchased with the money you raise.  Ask for a $5.00 - $10.00 donation and give a free bag of rice with every donation.  You might put a small slip of paper in the bag of rice that gives it a fun Asian themed name on one side and on the other more information about what you are doing and why.  This is another creative idea that may even get newspaper coverage through a well written press release.  Your local grocery store may let you set up there as well (especially if you purchase the rice from them).

Evangelism Missions?  CFI is always looking for funds to buy Bibles. 

Idea #1  Get a copy of the Bible written in the Burmese language.  Ask your Pastor if you can set up a poster at church and take donations to buy Bibles for Burma.  Make your poster eye catching and show people the actual Bibles you hope to donate through your fundraiser.  Usually you need only ask $5.00 for each Bible.

     Do you see  that there are endless opportunites to help in an area that you care about most?  Be creative, think outside the box, "How can I make a difference for the Karen people from right here?"  I would love to hear your ideas and would gladly share them if you would like.  I am also offering my assistance on those press releases.

Scripture of the Day

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another."

"By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

John 13: 34, 35 NKJV