Longing for Justice in Myanmar

by Rev. Ah Le

Wars between ethnic armed groups and Myanmar’s military began after Myanmar won its freedom from the British Government in 1948. Many innocent people were killed, and women were raped by the military, especially in the ethnic areas. One of the most unforgettable and tragic memories for Kachin society is that of two Christian volunteer teachers from the Kachin Baptist Convention: Maran Lu Ra and Tang Bau Hkawn Tsin. They were raped and killed by the Burmese army in Kaung Kha village on January 19, 2015. Justice has not been served because the Burmese army destroyed all the evidence. Innocent women are being raped and killed for a war on society.

The Myanmar military seized power in a coup and detained President Win Myint, Aung San Suu Kyi and other government leaders on February 1, 2021. According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (Burma), the Burmese military has killed more than 2,171 and arrested 11,977 people since this coup began.

The people of Myanmar are no strangers to atrocities. Video shows the Burmese military shooting people to death on the street in Myitkyina, my hometown. The military burns down churches and houses in the ethnic areas. The ethnic people are fighting for their rights and freedom because they have been treated as second-class citizens in Myanmar. They do not get any fundamental human rights, and there are no ethnic high officers in the government offices of Myanmar. The brutal military in Myanmar threatens and oppresses Christians. Many innocents have lost their lives for the sake of democracy in Myanmar.

Most of the people of Burma are living below the poverty line. Education, health and the economic system have fallen apart. The people of Burma long to be liberated from this oppression in society. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United Nations Security Council have failed to act against the Burmese military. Global communities need to stop aiding this brutal Burmese military and raise their voices to transform Burma into a Democratic country.

We, Christians, believe that God will provide the people of Burma with peace and justice in society. We believe that Jesus, the true liberator who loves justice, will liberate the people of Burma from the oppression and unjust social structures. God’s people are to bring justice to society.

Rev. Ah Le is Pastor of the Maryland Kachin Baptist Church.

October 24-25 in Falls Church, VA ANNUAL MEETING

THEME: SEEKING HOPE

Please join us for this year’s Annual Meeting as we gather again in person, with a virtual option. We will discover what it means to embrace Hope in Church Revitalization, Creation Care, and Mental Health.

WHEN: Oct 24-25th, starting at 10am EST

WHERE: 405 North Washington Street,

Falls Church, Virginia

BWA headquarters (Both virtually and in person)

COST: This event is free, but you must register to participate.

Presentations will begin at 11:00 EST on Monday, followed by the business meeting. Breakout networking sessions will take place on Tuesday.

Sincerely,

Rev. Samuel Tolbert

President: NABF, National Baptists of America, Inc

Rev. Jeremy Bell

General Secretary

Dr. Katharine Hayhoe — Creation Care

Paul Whitfield Horn Distinguished Professor, Texas Tech University

Katharine Hayhoe is a climate scientist who is the Chief Scientist for The Nature Conservancy and a distinguished professor and endowed chair at Texas Tech University. She is author of Saving Us: A Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World, and can often be found talking with fellow Christians about why climate change matters and what we can do to fix it.

Rev. Daniel Whitehead — Mental Health CEO, Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries

Rev. Daniel Whitehead leads Sanctuary Ministries, which resources communities of faith around the world to raise awareness, reduce stigma, support mental health, and promote mental wellbeing. Daniel has over ten years of full-time vocational church ministry experience.

Rev. Jevon Billups — Mental Health

Mental Health Coordinator, District of Columbia Baptist Convention

Jevon is a highly respected instructor of Mental Health First Aid throughout the Mid-Atlantic United States, from within the Roman Catholic Church to local school systems and fire companies. As a local church pastor, Jevon has a deep love for God and God’s people which deepens commitment to mental and the holistic health of people.

Rev. Dr. Jonathan L. Smith — Church Revitalization

Director of Church Health Strategy, Texas Baptists

Jonathan Smith’s role with the Texas Baptists is to encourage, equip, and coach pastors and congregations within their denomination in all aspects of church health, growth, and leadership development. He also hosts “Re:Vision” a podcast about church health and growth.

Rev. Dr. Daynette Snead Perez — Church Revitalization

CEO/President, DIASPRA Domestic Disaster Response Manager, CBF

Dr. Snead Perez leads DIASPRA, an intercultural focused ministry equipping churches in building new relationships in their own communities. She is the author of CHURCH: What To Do When Everyone is Like You, and serves as the Domestic Disaster Response Manager for Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF). Dr. Snead Perez engages in disaster response and intercultural ministry as opportunities for transformational change within the body of Christ.