“God Will Move Even in the Difficult Times of Persecution”
MYANMAR – Last Thursday our Asia/Pacific Area Director and Catherine Rybicki met on Zoom with our ministry leaders in Myanmar. With great praise to God, all four leaders were able to join, despite widespread power and internet outages. The stories they told are both grim and inspiring.
Since February 2021, a brutal military junta has ruled the country spreading death, fear and terror among the people. Pastor J has repeatedly described everyday life as “run and hide, run and hide.” To make matters worse, on February 10 the military junta revived an old military conscription law, effective immediately. The law states that men and women 18 years and older can be drafted into military service for a period of two years. Many view this development as a tacit admission on the part of the junta that their power is weakening significantly in the face of armed opposition forces. However, the announcement has sparked immediate concern and even panic among the common people. Along with many others, Pastor K’s two sons have fled the country. Pastor D is very concerned his daughter will be forcibly conscripted. She is seeking options for fleeing the country as well. “I really worry for our young boys and girls,” says Pastor T, “I have four children [of my own] and six orphans over 18 years.” All our ministries are keeping their older orphans at home to avoid being picked up by the military.
Aside from enacting forced military conscription, the military junta shows its presence in other ways. Pastor T told of recent severe fighting in Chin State, his homeland, resulting in the deaths of fourteen civilians and many more fleeing for their lives. But closer to home in Yangon, the military has been dropping bombs over Pastor T’s area. This has gone on for several days. The military is also now requiring all children to wear traditional full-length Burmese clothing. Not wanting the children to become targets, our leaders, who collectively care for nearly 300 orphans, are scrambling to comply with the new clothing requirements.
Despite the oppression and fear, the work of the Lord continues to move forward. Summer break from school is coming soon, providing rich opportunities for children’s ministry. Churches are gathering together for prayer meetings. Three recent Bible college graduates have committed themselves to church planting. Pastor T’s daughter recently graduated with her Master of Divinity degree. Pastor J’s heart is for “new believers to grow in faith … to be able to continue to share the gospel … and that God will move even in the difficult times of persecution.”
Let us pray diligently for our brothers and sisters in Myanmar. Pray for their safety. And pray they will remain faithful to Jesus, the One with all authority in heaven and on earth.