In February I'm off to meet the Karen peoples of Burma (Myanmar) and Thailand, along with David Lewis and his son Daniel. The Karen, who number about 4.5 million, were displaced by the Burmese after the 2nd world war when they sided with the British against the Japanese. For many years they have been harassed by the Burmese and many now live in refugee camps in Thailand. The Karen people, however, have their own government and an army to defend themselves against the Burmese militia. The Thai authorities give some aid and the international community has been pressing the Burma government on their appalling human rights record. (You may remember James Mawditt who was imprisoned for standing against the Burmese in Rangoon a couple of years ago.)

There have been some very recent reports that this pressure is beginning to take effect and we are praying that soon the Karen will be given national status and land rights. In the mean time there are still reported attacks and rapes by the Burmese militia.

The main aim is to encourage the people we meet by showing them that we care and that not everyone in Britain has forgotten them. There is a lively Christian church among the Karen which we will visit, so I hope to bring back news of the latest developments in the region. I also hope to gain a lot myself by seeing another culture and reflection on the life of the Church here in England.

We will fly into Bangkok on 28th January and fly north to Chang Mi on the same day. There we will meet Pastor Tim and others, who will probably arrange for us to visit the Umpia and Meala refugee camps in the Mai Sot region to the west. (There are about 65,000 people in these two camps alone.) We will be invited to preach and teach with the congregations.

Please pray for the safety of David, Daniel and Alan on this trip.

Please also support the next Karen Action Group coffee morning in Square Corner on the 28th.