Monday, February 01, 2010
"The Christian religion is very gentle – identify and utilise its weakness."
Photo by Niccolo Tempini, in a Christianity Today slideshow about Burmese Christians. …or, so goes the official line from the Burmese regime about its programme to stamp out Christianity in Burma.
I have recently got to know a Burmese Christian “Stephen” who regularly attended St. Rollox and also volunteered with the project. He left Burma because his public activism against the military regime has put his life at risk.
Clearly, Burmese Christians are not the only people in Burma to face persecution, but they can be targeted because they are a religious minority (4 to 6% of the whole population) and often belong to ethnic minority tribes. A few years ago, the Burmese government began a strategy not-so-subtly entitled: “Programme to destroy the Christian religion in Burma.” This report from The Times is grim reading, but worth attention.
Stephen is currently advocating his case with the Home Office. He has been moved to a detention centre in England, but was able to submit fresh evidence about the grave danger he faces if is returned to Burma.
I have been impressed by Stephen’s faith. Before he was moved to London, the minister at St. Rollox and I were able to visit Stephen in Dungavel. He was drawing on the Spirit for strength and looking at his situation as an opportunity to share the love of Christ with fellow prisoners and the security staff (it put me in mind of Col 4:3).
As we were praying with Stephen in Dungavel, the security guard went out of his way to get immediate security clearance for some documents we brought from his flat. Normally this would take one day, but because the guard felt compassion for the situation, Stephen was able to get important papers immediately and send them the European Court of Human Rights, who were able to stop his imminent removal to Burma.
Contrary to what the Burmese government might think, the Christian gentleness that Stephen embodies is far from weakness; it had clearly made a strong impression on the security guard. I am humbled by how he refuses to give into bitterness and cynicism, while still seeking justice in his situation.
As many of you know, I visit Dungavel often. But there was a marked difference when I went to see Stephen – there was a sense of tangible hope that transcended his circumstances.
Continue to pray for Stephen and for all who face persecution in Burma.
I have recently got to know a Burmese Christian “Stephen” who regularly attended St. Rollox and also volunteered with the project. He left Burma because his public activism against the military regime has put his life at risk.
Clearly, Burmese Christians are not the only people in Burma to face persecution, but they can be targeted because they are a religious minority (4 to 6% of the whole population) and often belong to ethnic minority tribes. A few years ago, the Burmese government began a strategy not-so-subtly entitled: “Programme to destroy the Christian religion in Burma.” This report from The Times is grim reading, but worth attention.
Stephen is currently advocating his case with the Home Office. He has been moved to a detention centre in England, but was able to submit fresh evidence about the grave danger he faces if is returned to Burma.
I have been impressed by Stephen’s faith. Before he was moved to London, the minister at St. Rollox and I were able to visit Stephen in Dungavel. He was drawing on the Spirit for strength and looking at his situation as an opportunity to share the love of Christ with fellow prisoners and the security staff (it put me in mind of Col 4:3).
As we were praying with Stephen in Dungavel, the security guard went out of his way to get immediate security clearance for some documents we brought from his flat. Normally this would take one day, but because the guard felt compassion for the situation, Stephen was able to get important papers immediately and send them the European Court of Human Rights, who were able to stop his imminent removal to Burma.
Contrary to what the Burmese government might think, the Christian gentleness that Stephen embodies is far from weakness; it had clearly made a strong impression on the security guard. I am humbled by how he refuses to give into bitterness and cynicism, while still seeking justice in his situation.
As many of you know, I visit Dungavel often. But there was a marked difference when I went to see Stephen – there was a sense of tangible hope that transcended his circumstances.
Continue to pray for Stephen and for all who face persecution in Burma.
Stephen has been let out of the detention centre in London and is now staying with friends in London. This is great news, as the detention centre is quite a rough place and now Stephen will be in a better place to work with his lawyers. The situation is ongoing, but know that your prayers have made a difference.