Saturday 14 Oct
Speaking up for the people of Myanmar.
In Proverbs 31:8-9 we read:
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
This week in Canberra, Baptist leaders from across Australia have been putting these words into practice, speaking up for the people of Myanmar, at the Converge 2023 gathering.
Biblical advocacy is an important ministry for followers of Jesus to participate in. Throughout the Old Testament we see God’s people being called to live just lives and stand alongside those experiencing injustice. They were warned not to turn their eyes and ears away from the cries of the oppressed. And throughout the Gospels we see Jesus’ loving, active, robust compassion as he intentionally and courageously engages with the voiceless and people pushed to the margins of society.
At Baptist Mission Australia we see mission involves all aspects of life, and so for us speaking up as Christ-like advocates is an expression of our missional commitment.
Over recent years our team members have developed strong relationships with pastors and leaders from Karen, Chin and Kachin Baptist churches in Australia and they have strongly encouraged us to work with them in advocating for their people in Myanmar and border refugee camps in India and Thailand. These relationships led us to launch the Stand with Myanmar Appeal earlier this year and we have been very encouraged by the generous support of Australian Baptists to the appeal.
Since the February 2021 military coup, human rights abuses have continued to escalate in Myanmar and there are big shortages of food, fuel and other basic human needs. The country’s economy is broken, and the pandemic has exacerbated poverty across the country. Innocent people continue to lose their lives under oppressive military rule.
More than 1.8 million people are internally displaced within Myanmar and more than 1 million live as refugees in Indian and Thai border camps.
Leaders from State associations, pastors and representatives from organisations including Baptist Mission Australia, Baptist World Aid and Baptist Care Australia, have come together for Converge 2023 in Canberra this week. It has been a privilege to share in this important advocacy gathering, along with three other Baptist Mission Australia colleagues. Most importantly it is wonderful to have Australian-based Karen and Kachin leaders with us, bringing their own unique knowledge and perspective on the many injustices people experience in Myanmar.
Converge has been an annual event, bringing Baptist leaders to Parliament House, to advocate each year on an important justice theme. COVID restrictions saw the planned 2020, 2021 and 2022 gatherings cancelled, so it has been great to be back in Canberra this week with colleagues from across the nation.
On Monday we met as a delegation to learn more about the latest challenges being experienced in Myanmar and the growing number of border refugee camps. Led by Scott Higgins and the Australian Baptist Ministries Justice Roundtable Group, we strategised and developed key talking points for our time with members of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Yesterday and today, delegates have held meetings with parliamentarians from all sides of politics, calling on MPs to support a range of measures, including:
- Increasing humanitarian visas to refugees from Myanmar
- Increasing humanitarian aid
- Increasing pressure on the Myanmar government through further sanctions against individuals and companies associated with the Myanmar military and further action at ASEAN and the UN.
- Increasing pressure on the Indian Government to issue exit permits to refugees who have already been granted Australian visas
Please join me in praying for positive outcomes from our advocacy this week and continue to pray for the people of Myanmar, some of the most vulnerable on the planet.
As well as praying together, the Stand with Myanmar appeal remains open. You can support the appeal here >>
Grace and peace
Scott
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