Tuesday, 01 July 2008
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Seeking Refuge
The United States Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) reports that so far in the year 2008 there is 486,000 people seeking refuge in Southeast Asia. Thailand hosts 396,00 people from Myanmar and 7,800 from Laos. There have been 22,000 people that have left these camps since December 2007.
Refugees in Thailand are not allowed to legally work outside of the camps but, USCRI estimates that 40 % of refugees do work outside of their camp. Work outside of the camp, typically agricultural work, pays 40 to 60 Baht a day or 1.30 to 1.90 U.S. Dollars. Workers also risk being arrested and having to pay off police officers. Although refugees are offered the option of a work permit there are many strings attached to this documentation. These things include a fee of $120 and several trips to the government office, of which most refugees are unable to afford. Thai government does not allow refugees to receive business licenses, or ownership of farmland, a house, or any thing that they consider a capital asset. (http://www.refugees.org/countryreports.aspx?id=2174)
USCRI tell of a young woman that was sexually harassed and abused by Lao police officials but, was forced to testify that Lao police had treated her well before she could seek refuge in Thailand.
Hmong and Lao refugees are faced with brutality by Thai government officials. The governmental branch, Ministry of Interior, claims that one of their top priorities is to stop all refugees and force them back to where they are coming from. They claim that they will follow through with this priority using violence and guns if needed.
(http://www.refugees.org/uploadedFiles/Investigate/Publications_&_Archives/WRS_Archives/2008/wp2008.pdf)Life as a refugee is very challenging and discouraging. A persons since of hope diminishes as they are confined to this camp and the camps lifestyle. When hope diminishes a passion and desire for living also tends to fade.
Pray with me for refugees in Thai camps as well as those around the world. I am asking you to pray that a revival would take place in these camps and these people would come to know the name Jesus, as the savior of their souls. I pray that the Lord would work in these camps to show is glory even in the heartache and pain. I also pray that Christ followers would become passionate about these displaced peoples. That they would have compassion for them and through this the Lord would lead their hearts into action.
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