Karen Refugees

Who Are They? 

In the country of Myanmar (also called Burma) in Southeast Asia, there is a people group called the Karen.  They are a predominently Christian people group that are being harshly persecuted for their faith.  They are driven from their homes and often spend the rest of their lives running from the government.  Many are tortured and killed.  Many others are in refugee camps in Thailand.

Several links are listed below, some of which have articles about the Karen and some of which show video-footage.   (Some of the images on the videos are graphic.)

www.freeburmarangers.org 

http://www.prayforburma.org/IDX/Resources/Video/

 

How can you help the Karen?

God has brought over 100 Karen families to Middle Tennessee.  There are at least two congregations of Karen that meet in Smyrna for worship!  Several Karen families live at Wherry Housing.  God has led RSC to adopt one of the Karen families at Wherry (a family of 7 that moved to Smyrna straight from a Thai refugee camp) to help them in whatever way that is needed (provide food, learn English, learn to drive, etc). 

Local Missions Opportunity

Community Servants, Inc. serves the people living in Wherry Housing Community in Smyrna, TN.  They provide landscaping and lawncare, general remodeling, mentoring, tutoring, and adult education (ESL and GED classes).  On the 4th Saturday of each month, local church teams serve from 8am until noon.  Projects will be tailored to meet our group's skill level.  For more info, drop by the Mission Table on Sunday morning.