Eternity in Their Hearts - Karen People Group

Faith in God, the God of their Ancestors

In 1795, on a mission to smooth the way for the Empire, British diplomats encountered the Karen tribe, a humble people eager for these visitors to lead them. Don Richardson's book, “Eternity in their Hearts,” describes the meeting: “This is most interesting,” the guide said. “These tribesmen think you may be a certain 'white brother' whom they as a people have been expecting from time immemorial!”

“How curious,” replied the foreign diplomat. “Ask them what this 'white brother' is supposed to do when he arrives.”

The guide replied, “He's supposed to bring them a book just like one their forefathers lost long ago.” They are asking with bated breath, “Hasn't he brought it?”

“Ho! Ho!” the English man guffawed. “And who, pray tells, is the author of whose book has power to charm illiterate folk like these?” The guide explained, “They say the author is Y'wa - the supreme God.”

God, the Central figure of Karen Folklore

Surrounded by hill tribes entrenched in Animist beliefs, the Karen tribe is uniquely set apart in believing that God is central. Many Karen villages had a 'Bukhos,' (teacher), who would represent Y'Wa to them, rather than evil spirits and demons. These teachers also taught them hymns which preserved their concept of the One True God.

In the early 1800s missionaries were received as the 'lost brother with the book of Y'wa' and a great revival broke out among the Karen. Many were saved and baptized and Christianity spread quickly until the government stepped in to quench all Christian activity.

Faith Endures

Today, Forty percent of the Karen people are Christians in spite of fifty years of war with the current military regime and Nathan tells us that many still regularly request hymnals.

The Karen, Karenni and Shan people of Burma are despised, persecuted, tortured and displaced and yet when asked what they most need they say, “Love!”

Second on their list is the desire for the outside world to know of their plight, they do not want to suffer silently.

They have not given up on the promises of God, even after experiencing 50 years of oppression.

The Source of their Oppression

Using brute force and systematic annihilation strategies, the Burmese military leaders send their soldiers in to destroy village after village, killing and displacing hundreds and thousands of civilians as they go.

This merciless war endorses rape, torture, enforced slavery, human sacrifice and landmines. The aim is to keep the displaced people on the run, with no place to settle in safety and no opportunity to rebuild what was lost.

Internally Displaced People (IDPs) and Refugees Allies in the Fight for Survival

IDP's differ from Refugees in that they do not seek asylum from another country. Essentially, they are people hiding from their own government, unwilling or unable to leave their country.

IDP's are considered the most vulnerable group of people in the world. Their status is not recognized by the international community and they are therefore unprotected by refugee laws.

There are over 1 million IDP's in Burma, living without adequate shelter in ‘Hide sites,’ and they are continually plagued by disease and hunger. With Burma’s military leaders’ intent on their extinction, survival is their daily challenge.

The Children Suffer Most…

The children have only ever experienced this kind of life. Robbed of their innocence and their childhood they are the victims of atrocities and witnesses of horrors. Many become parents for their siblings when their parents are killed.

Mercy Partners concentrate on helping provide nutrition, medical ministry teams. orphan care and education.

(Assist & Various Sources Including Frontline Resources)

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