Suffers with It

WHEN ONE PART SUFFERS, EVERY PART SUFFERS WITH IT

By Roi Ji Marip

Photos courtesy of Kachin Baptist Convention

The people of Kachin State in Myanmar have suffered since June 2011 because of the civil war between the Kachin Independence Army and Myanmar Regime. Then came COVID-19 and then, on February 1, 2021, the military coup began. By December, 31, 2021, there were 169 camps housing 106,248 “internally displaced persons” (IDPs) across Kachin State and northern Shan State in Myanmar (UNHCR Report).

The situation in Kachin worsened after the military took control. Reports of abuses against civilians — killings, rape, sexual abuse and torture — by the Myanmar army in Kachin State continued. Tragically, hundreds of villages and about 70 church buildings either have been burned or destroyed. Growing challenges include the risk of food insecurity, unsafe water and the lack of sanitation, each exposing thousands to disease. Also, the lack of adequate health service can lead to loss of lives, inadequate shelter exposes families to multiple risks and many children are missing out on a quality education.

Kachin, a region rich in jade, timber and mineral wealth, is a zone of long-term violent conflict and rising geopolitical tensions. These times are hopeless for new and old IDPs living there. Thankfully its citizens, to date,have been spared the worst of Covid-19, but maintaining a positive spirit is a challenge. Livelihoods are shattered, and

formal negotiations between conflict parties are now on hold until the November election and subsequent government transition. Most residents believe the spread of Covid-19 is worsening every day in the overcrowded camps, but since there is no official data available, no one knows how many people have contracted Covid-19 in Myanmar.

The major burden in assisting the Kachin people has fallen on community networks and organizations. Facing a global pandemic, these local groups run the risk of being overwhelmed. Any assistance received is only on a short-term basis. Eighty percent of Kachin people are Christian believers, and they kneel down and pray for their suffering like never before in their lives. God answers our prayers as He promised in Psalm 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” We are believers in Christ, “For as the body is one and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ” (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). Christians need each other, especially in a time like this. We are not only praying for each other, but also showing love and care by supporting those in need in our own community and beyond. “If one member suffers, all members suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice together with it.”

Kachin Baptist Convention graciously received your generous “Palmer Grant” donation on September 23, 2021, through the DCBC. Because of your support, we are able to provide shelter, food and medicine to two of the camps housing IDPs. “Hpawng Seng Village” in Muse township is located along the border of China in northern Shan State, and the “Je Yang” IDPs Camp in Bhamo Township also is located along the border with China in Kachin State. Your support means a lot to them. This is a Christ-like mission as we help meet both spiritual and physical needs. May God continually work among us in many ways. May He abundantly bless our Christ-like mission to the people of Myanmar in Kachin State. Thank you and DC Baptists for your gracious support.

Roi Ji Marip is “A Woman Minister” at First Kachin Baptist Church of Virginia in Harrisonburg, VA, and a member of the Burmese Work Group within the District of Columbia Baptist Convention.