For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.
-Luke 9:24 (NIV)
This, like many others, is a scripture with boundless potential for life application; notwithstanding the blaringly obvious. Yet, how many of us really taste the marrow of its message? Well, I thought I did. That is, until I met a man who showed me just how bittersweet it can be.
I will call him Paul. I have been asked not to use his actual name. This is to protect friends and family who currently remain in the situation he left behind. If the wrong person knew where he was, his loved ones will be imprisoned or killed.
My wife and I waited, with anticipation, at the airport for them to enter the baggage claim area. There were others: a case worker and her husband as well as two other representatives of the organization that is helping Paul and his family to start a new life, here in the U.S. We glibly held up welcome signs, in true Yankee form, and hoped for the best.
As they came into view, I suddenly became acutely aware of the gravity of the situation. This was an exhausted and frightened family who had given up everything in order to be here; friends, family, customs, dignity, you name it. And it didn’t happen overnight. No, it started some years ago when the Burmese government began mercilessly mistreating Christians. Oh but wait…not just Christians but Muslims too. Yes, you heard it right. Christians and Muslims are heavily persecuted in Burma. In fact, this is one of the few places where Christians and Muslims huddle together in solidarity as their ranks are whittled away by their—get this—Buddhist oppressors. What!?! I’m not kidding. Do the research. It’s terrifying and fascinating. C’mon, can you imagine a Buddhist monk oppressing anybody? Well, it’s true. As bizarre as it may sound…it’s true.
There are, however, particular pockets of indigenous people in the rural areas of Burma that are more heavily persecuted than others. The Chin are one such group of people. They are predominantly Christian, due to Baptist missionaries that lived among them long ago and, since they are largely isolated due to geography, they’ve established a thriving Christian presence over time, albeit a small one. Interestingly enough, the tribal structure of these people is so diverse that people from one village in the Chin state may not understand someone from a neighboring village at all; even though it might only be a mile or two away. There are well over one hundred endangered dialects of their language, squished into a very small area. In fact, the interpreter that came to help with our first meeting could only provide a rudimentary translation at best, though he is from the same area.
Paul shook our hands and nodded a lot. He looked and smelled of fear. His wife and children stayed in the background, awaiting a signal from Paul that it was okay. It was going to be an interesting ride home.
As the days progress, they are becoming more comfortable. We have integrated them into our routines and family activities. There are definite challenges with regard to communication and blatant cultural oversight. However, we all agree on Jesus; we all agree on compassion and forgiveness; we all agree on being thankful for God’s provision; we all agree that we were destined to meet and to learn from one another.
I am not worthy to comment on this family’s sacrifice. Their genuine humility and gratitude extends well beyond anything I have ever witnessed anywhere or anytime in my life. They are wonderful. I can only hope to have as much faith and capacity to persevere as they have. I don’t think I’ll be complaining about the small things I’ve given up anymore. Anyone who strikes out, into the unknown, relying only on faith in the Lord’s deliverance and protection to see his family to safety, regardless of beatings, torture and degradation is deserving of my reverence. Thank you Paul—thank you for giving me the proper perspective.
-Luke 9:24 (NIV)
This, like many others, is a scripture with boundless potential for life application; notwithstanding the blaringly obvious. Yet, how many of us really taste the marrow of its message? Well, I thought I did. That is, until I met a man who showed me just how bittersweet it can be.
I will call him Paul. I have been asked not to use his actual name. This is to protect friends and family who currently remain in the situation he left behind. If the wrong person knew where he was, his loved ones will be imprisoned or killed.
My wife and I waited, with anticipation, at the airport for them to enter the baggage claim area. There were others: a case worker and her husband as well as two other representatives of the organization that is helping Paul and his family to start a new life, here in the U.S. We glibly held up welcome signs, in true Yankee form, and hoped for the best.
As they came into view, I suddenly became acutely aware of the gravity of the situation. This was an exhausted and frightened family who had given up everything in order to be here; friends, family, customs, dignity, you name it. And it didn’t happen overnight. No, it started some years ago when the Burmese government began mercilessly mistreating Christians. Oh but wait…not just Christians but Muslims too. Yes, you heard it right. Christians and Muslims are heavily persecuted in Burma. In fact, this is one of the few places where Christians and Muslims huddle together in solidarity as their ranks are whittled away by their—get this—Buddhist oppressors. What!?! I’m not kidding. Do the research. It’s terrifying and fascinating. C’mon, can you imagine a Buddhist monk oppressing anybody? Well, it’s true. As bizarre as it may sound…it’s true.
There are, however, particular pockets of indigenous people in the rural areas of Burma that are more heavily persecuted than others. The Chin are one such group of people. They are predominantly Christian, due to Baptist missionaries that lived among them long ago and, since they are largely isolated due to geography, they’ve established a thriving Christian presence over time, albeit a small one. Interestingly enough, the tribal structure of these people is so diverse that people from one village in the Chin state may not understand someone from a neighboring village at all; even though it might only be a mile or two away. There are well over one hundred endangered dialects of their language, squished into a very small area. In fact, the interpreter that came to help with our first meeting could only provide a rudimentary translation at best, though he is from the same area.
Paul shook our hands and nodded a lot. He looked and smelled of fear. His wife and children stayed in the background, awaiting a signal from Paul that it was okay. It was going to be an interesting ride home.
As the days progress, they are becoming more comfortable. We have integrated them into our routines and family activities. There are definite challenges with regard to communication and blatant cultural oversight. However, we all agree on Jesus; we all agree on compassion and forgiveness; we all agree on being thankful for God’s provision; we all agree that we were destined to meet and to learn from one another.
I am not worthy to comment on this family’s sacrifice. Their genuine humility and gratitude extends well beyond anything I have ever witnessed anywhere or anytime in my life. They are wonderful. I can only hope to have as much faith and capacity to persevere as they have. I don’t think I’ll be complaining about the small things I’ve given up anymore. Anyone who strikes out, into the unknown, relying only on faith in the Lord’s deliverance and protection to see his family to safety, regardless of beatings, torture and degradation is deserving of my reverence. Thank you Paul—thank you for giving me the proper perspective.
