Loving the Word with the MudPreacher

I had to go see RAMBO. Having gone to Burma (Myanmar) in 2006, and learning of the atrocities taking place, I wanted to see Hollywood’s depiction. I was shocked by the depiction of violence. I had heard of some of the atrocities, but to see them visualized in such a violent way made my blood boil. I know many watching are simply caught up in the violence. But for me, my heart goes out to the people fo Burma. We were not allowed to go to the “black” areas of Myanmar, where the violence and warfare take place. And many of the people and pastor’s we met did not dare speak out about it. The military junta has a death grip on the people. We were supposed to say a word at the Judson Baptist Church in Mandalay, but a governement spy was recognized and we were told not to. In another instance near Taungyyi, we were to have a welcome service of native dance and food at the Seminary, but the word came down that the province governor would be displeased. You do not want to displease the governor. They have been known to suddenly take your property over.

The people have no rights, they have only a semblance of freedom. Fear is the atmospher. I was so hoping that the Buddhist Monk uprising would cause some change, but no, things are the same, and any resistance has been broken. I know several people who are helping with the influx of Karen and Chin refugees that our State Department has green-lighted for placement into the United States. These people have been living in refugee settlements in Thailand for over 10 years! I met one couple that had been living in a tent for 12 years.

The situation in Burma will not be changed in a peaceable way. The stories I heard indicate the junta is beyond reason, and operate from a state of paranoia. They are truly evil. There is a solid Christian organization in Burma started by Adoniram Judson. There are Seminaries, missionary organizations, and growing evangelistic efforts. But the 1.8 million Christians are a drop in the bucket. They tell me there are Christians in the Army, but they do not have much influence. I am afraid that the only change that will come will be in a bloody coup of some sort. But that is highly unlikely in a Buddhist state. They believe that suffering only prepares them for the next level of life.

In the meantime, we can only cry out to El Elyon, the God Most High! As His servant David constantly cried out to Him, so we must unite with the Burmese and Cry Out to God! 

^56:1 Be gracious to me, O God, for man tramples on me; all day long an attacker oppresses me; ² my enemies trample on me all day long, for many attack me proudly. ³ When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. ⁴ In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me? ⁵ All day long they injure my cause; all their thoughts are against me for evil. ⁶ They stir up strife, they lurk; they watch my steps, as they have waited for my life. ⁷ For their crime will they escape? In wrath cast down the peoples, O God! ⁸ You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book? Psalms 56:1-8 (ESV)

I wish it was as easy as sending Rambo to teach the Army a lesson. But I believe it will take the Strong Arm of God to bring about His Justice! In the meantime, this trailer is pretty cool!