Help for the Rohingyas

I have a lot on my mind right now. For the last several years, I’ve mostly used this blog to share some of my journeys with you all. And even that has been very few and far-between. But I’ve been wanting to return to the original purpose of my blog, which is to highlight the journeys of women (other than myself!).

For the most part, the posts I’ve done with that theme have been mainly educational and encouraging. Maybe even inspirational. But today I want to do more. And this time, instead of a single woman’s journey, I want to share the horrific journey of an entire people group. Not because it will be fun. Because it is needed.

I was very moved and challenged tonight by my pastor’s message. I won’t try to explain it, because he dealt with some sensitive issues and was afraid of being misunderstood himself. But what I got out of it is being moved to action about something that has been on my heart for a while, but I didn’t know what to do about it. Plus, in my comfortable, privileged, middle class life, it’s too easy to ignore it and move on.

Unfortunately, those who are suffering can’t do that. But in my religion, we are given another privilege: that of suffering and sacrificing for our Lord’s sake. And by that I don’t mean a masochistic or meaningless suffering. Jesus said that what we do for those who are in need, we do for Him.

Let’s be realistic: no matter what I do, I can’t possibly be suffering in the same way as the people I want to help are. But I can still do something to help them; sacrifice a little. My time, my money, my comfort. Something. I’m tired of sitting by the sidelines feeling helpless.

The people I want to help right now are the Rohingya people. Most of them are refugees in Bangladesh now, because their home country of Myanmar has forced them out violently. They don’t even get counted as citizens there even though that’s where they’re from. Women were raped, and now are giving birth in refugee camps in Bangladesh. Now, supposedly safer in Bangladesh, teenage girls are being trafficked into the sex trade. These are not the heroic journeys of women that I like to write about. It breaks my heart. For more information, read an article written today on the United Nations Refugee Agency here:     http://www.unhcr.org/en-us/news/stories/2018/7/5b34ffb64/monsoon-rains-highlight-needs-rohingya-refugees.html      In light of the upcoming Independence Day holiday here, where we celebrate freedom, the last line of the article was especially poignant to me, where a Rohingya man said, “We want to go back to Myanmar as soon as possible, but only if we’re given full rights as citizens. We want to be free.”

My brain has been working this out ever since my pastor’s message tonight, so I am still fleshing this out. But I wanted to write this while my heart is still heavy. I’m ashamed to admit that I’m self-centered enough that tomorrow I could forget about it and go back to my comfortable life. But I’m determined to start something. Maybe it will grow to be something big. Maybe not. But at least it’s action, finally.

Here’s my plan. I’m going to find a good organization to donate money to, that will go directly to helping the refugees. So far I’ve found a way to donate through the UNHCR’s webpage. I also found a link that focuses on the children, through UNICEF (also a United Nations org.). And I know I’ve seen other organizations on Facebook. If you want to join me in this, find one that you feel comfortable donating to. No pressure from me.

Next, I’m going to do something that’s very hard for me to do, because I’m a wimp. I’ll let you figure out all the physical and cultural reasons I’m a wimp in this way. But here it is: I’m going to fast and pray this Wednesday. For the Rohingya refugees. And of course for Afghanistan, because things are very difficult there too, and that country will always be on my heart. But on Wednesday, I will not eat breakfast or lunch. I know it’s not much compared to the suffering of the refugees who do not have enough food or medical attention. But it will help me remember to pray for them. I will be praying that their current needs will be met, and that the Myanmar government figures out a way to ensure their citizenship and safety so they can go home.

Yes, I know that Wednesday is a holiday here in the USA. And that usually involves food (and fireworks, but that’s besides the point). But while the Rohingyas aren’t free in their own country, I can give up a little food on the day I celebrate freedom in my country. And if any of you want to join me on this, please feel welcome. In fact, anyone who lives in my current city (and with whom I feel safe and comfortable having over) is welcome to come over and pray with me sometime during the day (text me first so I know to expect you).

In case you’re wondering, yes, I know there are many suffering people here in the USA, as well. I will be praying for them as well, including the children being separated from their parents at the border. I’m not trying to be political here. I think we can all agree that the children are innocent and suffering in this situation.

Thank you all for listening. I hope that you will consider joining me in helping the Rohingyas in some way, whether donating, fasting, praying, or any other way you can think of. Please feel free to add your suggestions of ways to help them in the comments below, because I’d love to know them.