Greetings from Thailand, which in English means “Land of the Free.” Of course, for most of the refugees in camps here, who have fled the terrible oppression in Burma, that freedom is severely restricted.
Even the Karen (and other ethnic minorities) living in Thailand for many generations have limited freedom inside Thailand. There are many degrees of citizenship here and—for those without full citizenship—opportunities for employment as well as travel within the country are restricted.
We encountered many roadblocks leaving and entering the various districts of Thailand. Yesterday, Feb 19, we visited another refugee camp high in the mountains, accessible only by driving on extremely torturous, curving mountain roads for what seemed to be hours. The camp, home to more than 22,000 refugees, is smaller than Mae Sot and its approximately 50,000 refugees, the largest of the nine refugee camps strung out along the Burma/Thai border. Umptien currently has close to 23,000 refugees, largely Karen, but there are also a few Chin and other ethnic minorities.
Many of the Karen in the camps are Christians, and a substantial number of those are Baptist, although Buddhists and Muslims are also represented. We met with camp leaders who all appeared to be Karen, and we were informed there were 16 churches and five mosques in the camp. As is the case in most camps, there are highly organized social and educational structures with 11 nursery schools, three middle schools and two high schools (up to 10th grade). There is a Karen Youth Organization and a Karen Women's Organization.
The camp leader indicated that in May approximately 10,000 refugees are expected to leave the camps for resettlement in other countries. Many will go to the United States, but some will go to Australia, Canada and other western countries. Though our visit to the camp was restricted by the Thai authorities to two hours, we did manage to spend time with Pastor Moo Heh, who leads one of the Karen Baptist churches. It was actually located in Burma at one time, but was burned by the Burmese army along with its village. That was a common occurrence in Burmese Karen communities over the years. Sometimes when the villages were rebuilt at other locations inside Burma, they were burned again by the Burmese military or their allies.
We met in the home of the pastor’s father-in-law, a senior deacon of the church and patriarch of the family. They indicated there were currently 500 members of this church, and a number of them may be resettled as part of the current push for resettlement of many of the camp’s residents in the next year. The pastor and his wife and two children may eventually be resettled, although when and where is unclear, but the father-in-law was less committed to leave the camp. He joked they would have to take away all the church members before he would be ready to consider this option. They were lovely and gracious hosts, as were all the Karen we met both inside and outside the camps.
We left the camp that day energized not only by the cool mountain air, but by the indomitable spirit of these people who, despite all the cruelty and hardship they have experienced, demonstrate an unshakeable faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Blessings.
Even the Karen (and other ethnic minorities) living in Thailand for many generations have limited freedom inside Thailand. There are many degrees of citizenship here and—for those without full citizenship—opportunities for employment as well as travel within the country are restricted.
We encountered many roadblocks leaving and entering the various districts of Thailand. Yesterday, Feb 19, we visited another refugee camp high in the mountains, accessible only by driving on extremely torturous, curving mountain roads for what seemed to be hours. The camp, home to more than 22,000 refugees, is smaller than Mae Sot and its approximately 50,000 refugees, the largest of the nine refugee camps strung out along the Burma/Thai border. Umptien currently has close to 23,000 refugees, largely Karen, but there are also a few Chin and other ethnic minorities.
Many of the Karen in the camps are Christians, and a substantial number of those are Baptist, although Buddhists and Muslims are also represented. We met with camp leaders who all appeared to be Karen, and we were informed there were 16 churches and five mosques in the camp. As is the case in most camps, there are highly organized social and educational structures with 11 nursery schools, three middle schools and two high schools (up to 10th grade). There is a Karen Youth Organization and a Karen Women's Organization.
The camp leader indicated that in May approximately 10,000 refugees are expected to leave the camps for resettlement in other countries. Many will go to the United States, but some will go to Australia, Canada and other western countries. Though our visit to the camp was restricted by the Thai authorities to two hours, we did manage to spend time with Pastor Moo Heh, who leads one of the Karen Baptist churches. It was actually located in Burma at one time, but was burned by the Burmese army along with its village. That was a common occurrence in Burmese Karen communities over the years. Sometimes when the villages were rebuilt at other locations inside Burma, they were burned again by the Burmese military or their allies.
We met in the home of the pastor’s father-in-law, a senior deacon of the church and patriarch of the family. They indicated there were currently 500 members of this church, and a number of them may be resettled as part of the current push for resettlement of many of the camp’s residents in the next year. The pastor and his wife and two children may eventually be resettled, although when and where is unclear, but the father-in-law was less committed to leave the camp. He joked they would have to take away all the church members before he would be ready to consider this option. They were lovely and gracious hosts, as were all the Karen we met both inside and outside the camps.
We left the camp that day energized not only by the cool mountain air, but by the indomitable spirit of these people who, despite all the cruelty and hardship they have experienced, demonstrate an unshakeable faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Blessings.
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