SUPPORT FOR ROHINGYA
It is Saturday morning and we are finally in our retirement home. We moved in on Wednesday. It’s wonderful in every way, except that we still have a lot of organizing to do. And on Tuesday, our new sofa will arrive which will make us more comfortable.
During all the upheaval I have not stopped my work staying connected with people I have met on LinkedIn, especially with the Rohingya. I have become very committed to supporting these people who have suffered so much and continue suffering with no country they can call their own.
I am constantly trying to do my part in making their crisis known to the world. Because the world seems to have forgotten the great suffering they’re enduring. One of the worst part for them is the feeling of not mattering to anyone. If you have ever felt rejected or abandoned you will know in a small part what that feels like. The Rohingya feel in many ways that they’re not considered as human as others and they have no country they can call their own.
Recently, atrocities against them have escalated with a bombing of a town in Myanmar, including a school. One person lost his leg recently when he stepped on a land mine that had been planted near the border to prevent them from fleeing. And now, Rohingya refugees are forcibly being made to leave their temporary home in India, forced to take a perilous journey back to Myanmar where they face violent persecution. The over a million who have found refuge in camps in Bangladesh are the lucky ones, though living conditions are atrocious.
My heart feels heavy for these people—people who have been resilient in every way, managing to hang onto their tradition and their faith as well as they can manage, despite everything. I admire them greatly.
I am currently connected with over twenty Rohingya—especially photographers and leaders among them, trying to support them as well as I can, joining with them in trying to make the world aware of their needs. At the same time, I take every opportunity to minister to them spiritually, encouraging them by using devotionals I wrote long ago, when I myself was abandoned and rejected. I have heard from many that they appreciate my support and are encouraged by it.
Ro Niyamot Ullah, the first contact I made amongst them, has become a close friend. He is a teacher who loves his work, trying to build hope into his students.
In Niyamot’s words:
We teach not in classrooms, but in tents, under open sky, or in makeshift shelters. We have no blackboards, no proper desks, no benches even enough books but we have hope.
Every day, we stand before students who have witnessed hardship beyond their years. And yet, they show up eager to learn, to dream, to change their future.
I continue to post my writings almost daily and take part in discussions on many topics on LinkedIn, prompted by the Holy Spirit to share the unconditional love of Jesus. I find that this spiritual angle is much needed in the many problems this world faces and it is often lacking.
I recently received a message from LinkedIn that I have one of the most-viewed profiles. That tells me that I had better add something about my current work for the Rohingyas.
I feel that God has answered my longing for a Living Room ministry by giving me the work I’m now doing. And I feel the joy that comes from serving him by sharing his love with people who are suffering.
marja
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