COLORADO BURMA ROUNDTABLE NETWORK Colorado Burma Roundtable Network: CBRTN Christian Missions to SE Asia and Colorado

COLORADO BURMA ROUNDTABLE NETWORK Colorado Burma Roundtable Network: CBRTN Christian Missions to SE Asia and Colorado OVERVIEW Current situation in Burma Persecution of ethnic tribes: The Karen People What does CBRTN do to help? What can you do to help?

COLORADO BURMA ROUNDTABLE NETWORK Colorado Burma Roundtable Network: CBRTN Christian Missions to SE Asia and Colorado Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Isaiah 58: 6-9 (KJV)

COLORADO BURMA ROUNDTABLE NETWORK What is happening in Burma Today? - Military Junta House arrest of - Aung San Suu Kyi since 1989 Majority ‘Burmans’ terrorizing ethnic hilltribes – including the ‘Karen’ Over 3,000 villages destroyed – internally displaced people (IDP’s) flee to camps in Thailand, live in jungle

COLORADO BURMA ROUNDTABLE NETWORK Reality of the situation inside Burma Great suffering – Karen and others used as ‘porters’; rape, torture, murder – common Men used as human mine-clearers Children and women are not spared

COLORADO BURMA ROUNDTABLE NETWORK Where are the IDP’s fleeing to? Thai authorities have established large refugee camps inside Thailand There are many IDP camps inside Burma

COLORADO BURMA ROUNDTABLE NETWORK Amidst this suffering – joy, singing, happiness and love! Many (perhaps over 80%) of the Karen in camps are Christian: Missionary Adoniram Judson ~1814, Rangoon Karen speak of the legend of ‘The Golden Book’ – that the white brother would bring to them… Bible Schools in the jungle

COLORADO BURMA ROUNDTABLE NETWORK What is being done to help those being persecuted? Organizations like the Free Burma Rangers document abuses inside Burma – at great danger to themselves The UN has been petitioned: Burma is blacklisted – it is the world’s #2 opium producer Burma Military expenditures: (2005 est. 40% GDP) [Burma Army ~500K men]; compared to 3% on healthcare

COLORADO BURMA ROUNDTABLE NETWORK Cyclone Nargis – junta refused the delivery of international aid Amidst the suffering caused by the Burma Army – cyclone Nargis impacted Karen and other Burmese tribes Irawaddy delta badly affected – many tens of thousands dead Thousands still without basic supplies – disease will cause many more fatalities

COLORADO BURMA ROUNDTABLE NETWORK What does CBRTN do? Christian Missions to SE Asia: support for Christian missionaries, delivering food, drugs, healthcare etc. Acts of Christian mercy to refugees here in USA: food, clothing, education, travel, advice etc.

COLORADO BURMA ROUNDTABLE NETWORK What does CBRTN do? - CBRTN is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization In the last 12 months we have provided ~$100,000 in aid and acts of mercy – without ANY overhead expenses! We are overtly Christian – and God is good!

COLORADO BURMA ROUNDTABLE NETWORK How can you demonstrate Christ’s love to the Karen? How to get involved? There are many ways to help: Adopt a Karen family – you will need training from the resettlement agencies Assist with transportation, medical and food needs, educational needs here in Colorado (e.g. clothes, rice cookers, rice, food) Commit to providing funds on a regular basis to meet needs as they arise – e.g. funds to transport IDP’s into a camp, assistance to missionaries in the field, etc. Take a trip to Thailand and Burma with us Commit to prayer on a regular basis Commit to writing to your senator and other political leaders As God leads you…the needs are great

COLORADO BURMA ROUNDTABLE NETWORK CBRTN: Thank You and May God Bless You Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye did it unto one of these my brethren, even these least, ye did it unto me. Matthew 25:40

COLORADO BURMA ROUNDTABLE NETWORK CBRTN: Thank You and May God Bless You ‘They call us a displaced people, But praise God; we are not misplaced. They say they see no hope for our future, But praise God; our futures are as bright as the promises of God. They say they see the life of our people is a misery, But praise God; our life is a mystery. For what they say is what they see, And what they see is temporal. But ours is eternal. All because we put ourselves In the hands of the God we trust. Reverend Dr. Saw Simon Mae La Refugee Camp