Thu, Nov 5, 2009 at 9:25 PM
The three doctoral students of ABGTS had the privileged through Lillian Lim Theological Education Fund to minister to the bible students in Kawthoolie Karen Baptist Bible School & College (KKBBSC) currently located in Mae La Refugee Camp, Thailand. We would like to thank Dr. Johnson Lim for arranging this trip, and also like to take the privilege to share a brief report of our trip, which the Lord has blessed.
Picture from the left: Ayan, Anthony & Timothy
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ABGTS DOCTORAL STUDENTS Ministered in Mae La Camp 26th-30th October 2009 A brief history of the Mae La Camp
The civil war between the Burmese and the Karen people incepted on January 31st 1949 making it last for about 60 years and since then the Karen people began to be displaced initially in their own State and then across the border in Thailand. Houses were burnt, lands were forcefully taken and lives of Karen people barely spared by the Burmese Military. They had no choice then to flee from such inhuman and brutal acts and seek refuge in Thailand border.
KKBBSC was established on the 9th June, 1983 with the motto, “Learning the Word of God to be well equipped for every good work”. It started with only with four teachers with Rev. Jerry Lynn as the first Principal who served the first seven years of KKBBSC ministry before they were relocated to Mae La refugee camp.
Rev. Dr. Saw Simon, Principal (2nd from left) and Mr. Wah Doh (extreme right) along with 38 staff is overseeing the current 255 students (below)
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Mae La camp is one of the outcomes of the civil war and it is the biggest of all the seven Karen Refugee Camps in Thailand housing more than 50, 000 people. The KKBBSC ministry in Mae La has been running now for 27 years; the first 7 years in their own Karen State called Kawthoolie (Wallei, Myanmar) and the rest of the 20 years in the current camp – Mae La.
Under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Saw Simon, the ministry of KKBBSC in Mae La camp is now extending to all the bible schools in the six different Karen Refugee camps in-spite of the daily challenges. On completion of studies, students come on board as faculty, goes abroad for further studies and some serves the other Karen refugee camps or resettles in third country.
The Spartan Condition and People
On being asked the living condition in Mae La Refugee camp as a result of the Burmese Military power, one of the teachers commented by quoting Genesis 50:20, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” which was also the theme of Kawthoolie Karen Baptist Convention’s Silver Jubilee (March, 2009).
In other words, despite their Spartan living condition the Karen people continues to live each single day trusting and praising God. Though they may be known by the world as displaced people yet they believe that they are not misplaced and whatever condition they are in now they believe in their future to be as bright as the promises of God.
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lam. 3:22,23) The Karen people in Mae La camp is a testimony of God’s great love toward His people. It was amazing to witness that this people having no source of daily income for survival they live on each day with all the basic needs being met without fail. And their gratefulness to God is visible in their un-dying passion and enthusiasm of singing songs of praise and worship every single day.
The Karen people living in these refugee camps are restricted to go out of their designated camps as they have no passports or identity cards. All of their lives they have no choice but to live only within their camps although very few gets the opportunity to get out of the camp through the approval of UN by way of issuing a passport. It is also reported that until today many refugees are coming in to the camps because of the continual persecutions inflicted by the Burmese Military. Even though they may be going through dire hardships in life yet it is amazing that God has never forsaken them and is evident through the supports of missionaries, GO(s), NGO(s), Associations, Churches, individuals, etc. all because they refused to lose their hope in God. What an amazing demonstration of unwavering faith in God!
What we did
We were truly privileged and humbled to minister to the students in Mae La camp through the teaching and equipping of God’s Word. Anthony Yeoh taught the 4th year B.Th. students on Biblical Servant Leadership entitled “Not so with you”, Timothy Lim on Christian Spirituality to the 3rd year B. Th. students and Ayan Murry on the Book of Habakkuk entitled “Hang in there! It’s not over yet” to the 2nd year B. Th. students.
Our personal experiences
I am amazed by the resilience and faith in God of Karen people despite of the dire circumstances and I believe this is what the Singapore Christians need to learn and appreciate life. We have often taken for granted the blessings of God showered upon us here in Singapore.
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Throughout my stay I am reminded of the words of the Psalmist, “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10a) [Timothy Lim]
This people taught me more than my contribution; their faith and hope in Jesus Christ are truly evident in their lives in spite of their external struggles. It was heartwarming for me to see the optimistic attitude toward life from this people exemplified by their leader – Principal.
I personally learnt from Karen people in Mae La camp that the eternal things of God are far more valuable than the temporal things of this world. [Anthony Yeoh]
“The just shall live by his faith” (Hab. 2:4) This verse came to life in this trip. Our lives are not determined by what we have or what we can achieve or do but solely upon unwavering faith in the most Infinite-Personal God. The Karen people in Mae La camp is a great testimony of people who live solely by their faith in God.
The lives of Karen people reminded me that God indeed is no respecter of persons, and that faith in God is the key fundamental truth and answer to all life’s situations. [Ayan Murry]
How can we become a part of God’s instrument?
It can be summed up in one word, i.e. SHARE. This people are none other than our brothers and sisters in Christ and so with the blessings we receive from God we can share with them through various means. Equipping them in God’s Word, teaching them English language and even some trades, building proper class-rooms, sending love gifts, etc are some of the ways we can demonstrate the love of Christ toward our brothers and sisters.
“Stop killing our innocent people, stop destroying and occupying our lands and stop driving our people out of our own land” is the cry of the Karen people today against the Military leaders of Myanmar and a plea to International Community for actions toward peaceful solution. If there is anything in our power to do so then let’s take on. If not, at the least we can go to our knees and uphold them in prayers.
Soli Deo Gloria
