A Christian Relief organization, Free Burma Rangers (FBR), reports that Myanmar’s (also called Burma) armed forces not only burned and destroyed churches throughout the country but have also been setting booby traps near the churches to kill or maim believers.
There was outrage around the world as images emerged of the massacre of over 30 people, including women and children, by the military in east Myanmar, formerly called Burma, on Christmas Eve. Photos of burned vehicles and charred bodies were shared by Save the Children, an international aid group, that added two of its workers were also missing. The military overthrew the democratically elected government of Myanmar in February 2021 and since then the military junta, led by Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, has been brutally trying to stamp out any resistance to its rule. The Christian Post reports that the recent killings occurred as the Myanmar military was battling a pro-democracy militia near the village of Mo So. The group, who were travelling in seven cars to a refugee camp, were fired upon and then stopped by the military. According to a statement by Save the Children, “The military reportedly forced people from their cars, arrested some, killed others and burned their bodies.” The report added that the military had tied members of the group …
What does it cost to be a Christian? A pastor in Myanmar, also known as Burma, was kidnapped by an armed rebel group, and after a year had passed with no news, most people assumed he was dead. More than a year after his capture, the pastor was returned to his family. He had been captured with another man, and the article does not mention what happened to him. Possibly that second man paid with his life for being a follower of Jesus. These two good men, our brothers, are an example to us all. We were told by Jesus “Those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.” (Luke 14: 33) READ: Myanmar pastor presumed dead returns home more than a year later
So, how are you coping with the lockdown for the Corona virus or COVID-19? Whatever name we give to the virus, the effect is the same. A virus can make us sick, and possibly kill us, and spread to others. We know that. The other effect, is to destroy society. Have you noticed the list of corporations that are now in bankruptcy? This morning I heard about Hertz, the company that rents cars. We may not think about them unless we work for them, but did you ever imagine a world where so many big corporate names would disappear? The world is changing around us, in this pandemic. Some of the changes are made by us. The pandemic itself is terrible in some places, or just a temporary disruption, depending on how people managed the crisis. History will judge us all. One other problem, is the blame aimed at people who break the rules. I live in a place where the restrictions are not too extreme. If I don’t like the line ups when I …
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