Myanmar: 'The Coup, Covid and the cries of my heart'

A Myanmar Christian reads his Bible. (Photo: Open Doors International)

The nation of Myanmar has faced a wave of trials and tribulations this year.

Since the military takeover of February 1, Myanmar has been thrust into grave social and political unrest that has resulted in violence, disruption, and many hundreds of deaths.

Churches have been raided and believers have lost their loved ones and livelihoods. Meanwhile Covid-19 has claimed more than 10,000 lives, with cases and deaths spiking in recent weeks.

Finally, in the last few days, flooding has hit three states inside the country, displacing nearly 50,000 people and destroying crops and homes.

Brother Arkar* is a Burmese pastor who partners with Christian charity Open Doors and has seen all this first-hand. He has written a poem to share his grief with fellow Christians around the world and urge them to pray for a nation in crisis.

'The Coup, Covid and the cries of my heart'

There is a cry in my heart that is so loud, but I cannot hear Every day, I long for the morning I check to see my WhatsApp, FB, for news And what I see, I hate It has never brought me Hope and Good News Only killings, death, suffering.

Refugees sent back, no food Believers scattered and the shepherd is slaughtered by the covid pandemic The children cry but they do not know why they have to flee their sweet home and live in the forest Where there are no sweets, bread only dry leftover rice, and curry made of leaves Filling the air Of their empty stomachs

The forest leech and mosquito do not know what love is The rainforest pours without mercy. The quack of the ducks is the only music they can hear

Rice, medicine, mosquito nets The needs are so high How do I share this need?

There is much bloodshed, the covid pandemic rages bare, weaponless fighting It is like a dream

I wish it was just a dream

The refugee has to return to be a refugee The peoples who are looking for shelter were denied shelter It's like being between the devil and the deep sea

I wish, at least, that they would be allowed to stay in our country

They have only their presence Their clothes, and nothing else

I wish I could help them with some immediate needs but I have only little cash So I hand them some money that would last for two weeks' rice

I hear of other believers who are refugees but could not reach them since my hand is empty

But my empty hands, I can fold into prayer Together, with them A privilege That I could stand beside them, I am thankful to God

There is an early calling bell A message came early one morning, asking 'Have you known this pastor?' And a photo was held out I said yes 'He passed away due to covid,' 'No oxygen, he could not breathe' 'And could not survive'

Right then and there I could not weep But I cry deep down in my heart They asked me for oxygen cylinders, concentrators If we can provide or help them at least to save some lives He was Father to his children Pastor to the believers, Husband to his wife But I was empty

I wish we could provide some supplies somehow

I feel guilty In the early stage of covid, if we had been alerted sooner, And oxygen was given to our believers in Myanmar, 95 pastors may not have passed away

I am not sure how long this tragedy will last Coup, covid, and now flooding in the valleys

Sometimes a call or a message comes from the field Reporting the need for help And I say, 'Pray'

'Pray' Seems like a simple word Easy to say, but in reality, is very hard to say Because, at that time, Their need cannot be met

Lord, Teach us To pray.

I could not sleep But just distributing some medicines is already bringing much relief

We are hoping to be able to help the family left behind by those pastors who died. We cannot give the children their fathers back, But we can stand beside them.

In His grape vineyard for the voiceless, Arkar.

*For reasons of safety and security, this is not his real name

Open Doors UK & Ireland is part of Open Doors International, a global NGO network which has supported and strengthened persecuted Christians for over 60 years and works in over 60 countries.

 

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