Myanmar (MNN) – Four years after a coup ousted elected leadership in Myanmar, a loose coalition of armed ethnic groups continues to gain ground against the military junta in power. Joe Handley with A3 says tensions in the country remain high, as violence continues and civilians find themselves caught in the crossfire.
“You have this ongoing local fight that’s going on,” he says.
And two months ago, it was compounded by a magnitude 7.7 earthquake. Handley says aid teams continue to bring relief to Myanmar’s residents.
Shakemap from USGS for the magnitude 7.7, maximum intensity 9.112 earthquake near en:Usgs Neic Shakemap (en:2025 Mandalay, Burma (Myanmar) Earthquake), 10.0 km depth. (By United States Geological Survey – https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us7000pn9s, Public Domain)
“The local church has really stood up and been the hands and feet of Jesus in partnership with some of these teams,” he explains.
A3 works alongside the local church, knowing it will be a force of assistance long after Myanmar has exited view on the world stage. Handley doesn’t see an easy or quick way out of national conflict.
“But that’s the chance for the body of Christ to rise, and to show and display the hope of Christ in the midst of the pain and suffering,” he says.
Handley is asking the body of Christ to pray for suffering people and those living in fear of the military junta.
“Sometimes the military thinks that [people are] on the opposition side, and they can easily be thrown in prison even though there’s no proof or evidence that anything has happened,” he says.
Global leaders are calling for the expansion of Myanmar’s current temporary ceasefire, as Handley reminds MNN listeners that hope lies deeper still.
“The long-term enduring presence of the church is where people start to ask questions,” he says. “It gives an opportunity for people to share the hope of Christ, which is the ultimate long term development goal: that they will have a hope that extends beyond the grave.”
Handley says the A3 team hears of and feels the prayers of believers, and he thanks prayer warriors for the continued support of God’s work in Myanmar.
Featured photo of protesters rallying against the military coup in Yangon, Myanmar, Feb. 9, 2021. (Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)
