Aung San Suu Kyi (Photo by Blatentnews.com)
Burma (MNN) ― Shortly after Burma's elections, the government freed activist Aung San Suu Kyi (chee). Her release comes as a welcome development after more than seven years of house arrest.
Dyann Romeijn with Vision Beyond Borders says they're cautiously optimistic. "We are encouraged, but at the same time, it's with a little skepticism. A lot of the things that the military does are for calculated reasons. There is some skepticism with what their reasoning is."
Does the release of the military government's arch rival signal bigger things? It would be naïve to think so. Past history has shown craftiness that has kept them in power. Romeijn says, "There's some concern that there could be some kind of trapping going on, identifying people who are still supporting the pro-Democracy movement."
The pro-democracy leader has been released from house arrest on several occasions, only to be re-arrested and detained on spurious charges. Ironically, Suu Kyi represents the hope of freedom for the Burmese.
The VBB team is working to provide true freedom in a region where genocide is taking place. Romeijn says we should pray "just as David prayed in the Psalms, that their own traps would fall back on their own heads and they'd be caught in their own nets. It doesn't matter what their plans are because God is Sovereign, and He's in control."
With activists like Suu Kyi pushing for reform, the government is working overtime to undermine her message for the necessity of change. "The government there is trying to put out the message that they want to get across," says Romeijn. "I guess that could be our concern in this situation too, is that their message is that ‘now there's freedom' in these elections, when really, everyone knows that the elections were not free."
However, Romeijn says, "Since the elections, over 20, 000 refugees have streamed into Thailand. So there's actually increased violence, and there's been a lot of fighting in Burma still."
VBB has been responding to the needs. Their team has shipped containers loaded with Bibles, clothing and other necessities to help the refugees, many of whom are Karen Christians. The hope of Christ sustains many of them.
Keep praying. In spite of the overwhelming situation, Romeijn says they're seeing exciting things happen. "We've seen doors open and things happen as a result of people praying. They can give. There's a lot of needs when you're talking about over 200,000 refugees now in Thailand."
