The relationship between American Baptists and Burma goes back to 1813 with the arrival of the Ann & Adoniram Judson. This relationship continues today but, divided by conflict and suffering from poverty and isolation, Burma is a country much in need of prayer. So please join the Global Day of Prayer for Burma on Sunday, March 11, 2007.

Since 1813 the church in Burma has grown to include conventions of 13 ethnic and language groups, 5 regional conventions, 104 associations, 4,522 churches, nearly 1.2 million Baptized members and another half million non-baptized attendees. The church is still growing today.

A British colony, Burma was invaded by the Japanese in WWII, but then re-conquered by a combined British, American and local ethnic force. After WWII all of Burma united to be free from British rule and a short lived, independent government was formed. However, it quickly give way to a military take over. Since then, many ethnic groups have been struggling for autonomy from Burma's military government.

The result has been that the church in Burma struggles under many restrictions. Border regions surrounding the country are in various levels of armed conflict forcing hundreds of thousands to live in hiding within Burma. An estimated 2 million others have fled into Thailand alone seeking either peace or employment. Millions more Burmese have gone to other countries in the region and around the world many of whom do not have legal status in the countries where they live.

Over 160,000, mostly Karen from Burma ran out of options and are in 9 refugee camps in Thailand. With no end to Burma's problems in sight, governments around the world are now accepting refugees for resettlement. In 2006 several thousand Karen were resettled in various cities around the US and it is widely expected that 10s of thousands more will be coming to the US in the next few years.

Many of the former refugees now in the US have a strong Baptist identity and are finding a home in our Baptist churches. Living on faith under extreme circumstances, our churches are blessed by the spiritual energy the former refugees bring. At the same time, our churches help bridge the cultural adjustment these new Americans must make.

There are many things to pray for:

• The church in Burma – that it can continue to prosper in spite of the hurdles
• For the ethnic groups in the areas of conflict – that they can find peace
• For the people living on the run – that they can find a place to call home
• For the people in the refugee camps – for a long term solution
• For the Burmese in other countries – that they can return home
• For the Karen and others resettling in the US – that they can adjust

The problems are complex, but nothing is too great for God. Join the world and pray for Burma, March 11, 2007.

Yours in Christ,

Duane Binkley