Hands to Work, Hearts to God: Thailand Highlight #4: Refugee Camp

We weren't sure what to expect coming in

During our boat trip on the Salawin, we stopped and actually went into a refugee camp in Burma. Most refugee camps are in Thailand, but this one helped Karen people who could not legally live in Thailand. The only reason the Burma Army had not destroyed it yet was that they would receive too much bad publicity. They know just how far they can go to stay under the radar of international attention.

Walking into this community, it was hard to believe how different life could be depending on where you are born. There were thousands of refugees in this camp, people who can no longer live in their homes because they had to flee with whatever possessions they could carry. The children seemed very surprised at seeing a group of pale-skinned visitors in their village. Large crowds of curious and smiling faces formed around us and followed us as we were shown the small school building and health clinic with dirt floors and thatch roofs. On the chalkboard in the schoolhouse were Bible verses written for the kids to learn. Although they had so little to be optimistic about, I could see a joy in their faces because they had a hope that comes from God.

We drew quite the crowds everywhere we went

Matt, one of our team members, pointed to a cross hanging from one boy's neck and he smiled. It's a very unique feeling when you've never met a person and can't even communicate verbally with them, but there is an immediate spiritual connection because of your shared faith. That boy never left our side the entire time we spent at the camp.

Why someone would want to destroy the children we saw I cannot understand. I can only pray that God will take care of them and some day bring them out of that situation so that they can grow up, strong in faith.