Many of the readers of this web site have visited Mae La or one of the other refugee camps on the Thai-Burmese border and some of you have taught in the Bible School.
I thought readers would be interested in the meetings going on at present and the plans for the recognition of twenty-five years of meeting as churches in the Karen refugee camps.
Letter from the Karen Camps
Principal of the Bible School, Dr Simon, writes:
To all our dear brothers and sisters in the Lord around the world:
I am pleased to give you the following information about our Churches and would like to humbly request you to pray and help us in ways and means possible with you.
The Kawthoolei Karen Baptist Churches Board of Management Mid-year meeting will be held starting from October 8 to 12, 2008.
Praise the Lord that in spite of all the restrictions, difficulties and hardships we are facing as displaced people or refugees, the Lord opens the door for our pastors and church leaders from the IDP [Internally Displaced People] areas and more than 10 of them have safely arrived to the meeting place, the Kawthoolie Karen Baptist Bible School & College in Mae La camp.
Please pray that the Lord will bless our meeting as we will be planning for the celebration of the Silver Jubilee/ the (25th) anniversary of the establishment of the Kawthoolei Karen Baptist Churches in March 2009. We will also fix the date/s for the celebration and will let you know when it is fixed so you can come to visit, encourage and rejoice with us during this special occasion.
The Theme we have chosen for our Celebration is Genesis 50:20 – “As for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.”
Please come, visit, encourage and join and rejoice with us during our Silver Jubilee celebration.
Sincerely yours in Christ’s ministry among the displaced Karen people in the camps and the IDP areas.
Rev. Dr. Saw Simon. KKBC/KKBBSC, Mae La camp.
RSVP
Whether you have been there or not you are invited to attend the meetings in March 2009. The people cannot easily leave to come to your church and conferences but the presence of others at their gatherings will help them to remember that they are not forgotten and could serve as an act of love, hope and encouragement.
If you cannot attend, a letter of best wishes would be gratefully received. Do write to me for their email address if you have not got it.
Dr Geoff Pound
Image: Dr Simon at the entrance to his home and the school.