Download as pdf or txt
Download as pdf or txt
You are on page 1of 2

M

May the grace that is reaching more and more people cause you to overflow with thanksgiving.

Rohingya children in IDP camps in western Burma. More than 140,000 are now trapped in these camps with little or no hope of escaping.

Reaching Out
In western Burma, more than 140,000 people are now trapped in a temporary refugee camp. During my (Craig) most recent visit to Arakan State (bordering Bangladesh) in mid-July it was apparent that these temporary housing structures were meant for long term segregation of the Rohingya Muslim minority from the Buddhist majority.
A year ago when this con ict rst ared up, we tried to nd Christians in the area surrounding the refugee camp. We were certain that if we could simply enable them with resources, they would want to respond to the desperate situation their Muslim neighbors found themselves in. Our Christian brothers and sisters in Burma have not had the luxury of freedoms that we have experienced. They were fearful of reaching out to a people group that the police and monks were threatening, beating, and in some cases hacking to death. Up until mid-July of this year we were working with local Muslim contacts in the camp areas as we continued helping the tens of thousands of men, women and children caught in this terrible situation. However, because of rising security concerns (for those helping us in the camps) we had to end our partnership with these local contacts.

Below: Craig with a young Rohingya boy who was trampled during the uprising last year in Arakan State. Since there were no crutches in this area, our team had some specially made for him. Without access to medical care, his mangled leg will be a lifetime burden.

Last month, after a year of prayer and networking, a coworker and I were able to connect with a Bible school in Arakan State who were now eager to be involved. This is a huge answer to prayer as we have wanted to see the local church (small as it may be in western Burma) view the situation there not as a crisis to avoid but as an opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus. One of the men (name withheld for security reasons) who is spearheading the Bible schools response shared, I have spent all my life working a job but now I want to do something that really matters. I want to help them and I want to show them Gods love. This is pretty remarkable as he is putting himself at risk by helping those whom many local Buddhists would rather see dead. A year ago, he was among those who refused to help out of fear. Please pray for physical and spiritual protection for our new friend as he joins with us in reaching out to this population of desperate people.
Contact us by email at: garrisoncraig@yahoo.com.
All gifts toward our work with the people of Myanmar (Burma) should be sent to: CornerStone International, P.O. Box 192, Wilmore, KY 40390. Please write Myanmar Project on the memo line. Additionally, you may make secure recurring or one-time donations online at http://www.cornerstoneinternational.org/sta-garrison/ . THANK YOU for your generosity towards our family and the people of Burma!

Summer or Bummer?
From Tulsa to Thailand, our kids were studying diligently this summer. Sarah studied Physics 2 with excellent results, worked in the Missions and Community Ministry departments at FUMC Tulsa, and had two Thailand Treasure sales to help with her upcoming college expenses. Emilee has been studying Thai this summer, interning with Compassion International, and volunteering at a childrens home. Its been great to have her here in northern Thailand with us.
Sarah was busy with her Physics 2 class and working this summer, but on Sunday mornings she could be found at FUMC Tulsa, making coee.

Jake surprised us all by working daily for eight weeks on an Interpreting and Analyzing Literature course. His persistence paid o when he sat for the CLEP exam in Bangkok and scored high enough to earn 6 hours of college credit! Not bad for a 15 year-old who would rather be gaming! Kate has spent the summer working on her AP English, sitting in on local hospital peer group reviews, observing a midwife in action, volunteering at a home for senior adults, and, just to mix things up, she contracted Dengue fever and spent the week of her 17th birthday in and out of a hospital and clinic. Dengue aside, we are thankful for the wonderful opportunities that each have had this summer. Many thanks to those of you who made things happen for Sarah, and those of you who prayed for Kates health.

Next time you see Emilee ask her to sing the Thai national anthem for you. In addition to interning at Compassion International, she studied Thai this summer.

While we were unable to temper his love of gaming, we were happy with Jakes commitment to study this summer... AND the six hours of college credit he earned!

Thank you!

Kate has been gearing up for a future in nursing. She spent the summer volunteering, studying and unfortunately recovering from the bite of a malevolent mosquito.

At the end of the month we will be celebrating our twenty-third wedding anniversary. It seems appropriate to celebrate by facilitating a week long marriage seminar for a dozen couples in Burma. Please pray for us as we prepare, as we teach, and as we process afterwards. Pray also for those who

will attend... that they will strengthen their marital bond as they invest in this time together. Thank you for the role you play in getting us there.

arris G e h T y Famil

on

T h e G arri s o n Fam i l y Servi ng th e P eo p l e o f M yanm ar

You might also like