Changes in Burma

I try to follow the things that
are happening in Burma. Being such a small country there isn’t typically a lot
in the news.

 

However that isn’t the case as of
the last couple of months. Burma seems to constantly have little blurbs in the
news. The reason being is there are some changes happening. Over the last few
months the Burmese government has been letting out some of their prisoners,
many of them being political prisoners. There have also been lots of peace
talks, with real movement towards signing of peace treaties between the
military and ‘rebels’. There have also been multiple delegates from other
nations who have visited Burma, a rare thing.

 

All of these things are great
individually… and collectively it’s amazing!

 

The thing that has really stood
out to me in the articles that I have been reading lately is the response of
some of the political prisoners. These men and women have been imprisoned or in
house arrest for years. I would have assumed that they would be fueled by anger
towards their government in their passion to see change in their nation… but
they aren’t. Their passion is fueled by a love for their people. When making
public speeches or talking with the press, they have yet to ‘bash’ their
government or specific leaders. Their speeches are full of optimism and hope,
even towards those who put them in prison. They are able to acknowledge the
negative things that have happened, yet point no blame and speak only of the
positive dreams they have for their nation.

 

I may not be in Thailand or
working with the Burmese people yet. But I am continuing to learn from them. My
prayer is that I would be more like these political voices of Burma and speak
life and hope in all circumstances, even over those who have brought death, and
that these would come from my heart and not just empty words.

Please be covering Burma in prayer! With so many drastic changes it is a sign of hope, may they not be tempted to turn to the ways of the past or react in anger but continue to strive toward the freedom that they desire.

For current and past news, check out The Irrawaddy news magazine, daily covering Burma and Southeast Asia.