It has been quite a few months since we wrote our last blog.
After the coup in Myanmar on February 1, we began writing. But before we finished, translated and edited our blog the information was already old. Myanmar was regularly in the news worldwide, people were familiar with events there, so what was there to write about?
Meanwhile for the last 3 ½ months the people of Myanmar have been suffering from the coupe d’état. Terrible images of beatings and shooting have been seen throughout the world. The military showed its power while innocent victims paid the price. People protested peacefully daily. They did not want to use force like the army.
But in the last few weeks violence has been growing on both sides. Unemployment is rising and hunger in the cities is growing. It hurts when we see the horrible images and hear stories. Streets and cities where we walked, ate, and spent the night, have turned into a kind of war zone. Streets full of people visiting the small tea houses, shops, food stalls, with which the population made their living, are now empty. Very bizarre!
After 6 years of openness, the gate to freedom was slammed in their faces. More than half of the population consists of young people under the age of 30. Young people hoping for a bright future in a country that has been developing slowly since it opened.
We still have daily and weekly contact with friends who have a fixed internet connection. Many people have a mobile phone, but the mobile internet has been disconnected for months already. Only families with internet connections at home can communicate with the world. Internet is being restricted more and more but at the same time necessary for the country to be able to open business activities.
They share their stories, concerns and hope for the future. Sometimes they share their fears while we hear the sound of gunfire in the background. They are afraid of house searches at night—terrible things happen at night. Families are forcibly removed from their beds and put out on the street. Houses are confiscated and several have been set on fire. Then there you are, in the middle of the night, on the street with your children and nothing else.
One friend, a man in his thirties, texts us daily to tell his story, some days even several times a day. He informed us that security had been at his door to check his house for people in hiding. It was terrifying as one of them was drunk. What a drunken armed person will do is not predictable. Fortunately, it went well but he was clearly concerned.
Our 28-year-old translator also regularly lets us know that she is afraid, that it seems as if she lives in another world and has no hope anymore. "Is the world coming to an end ??" Another 25-year-old man wrote us "It's like if I'm living in hell!"
Our business partner evacuated his wife’s family to India as intense fighting surrounded them. His father-in-law was literally sick with fear. In the meantime the situation in the region has cleared and he has returned to Yangon.
Horrible! What can you say? Anything you do say seems so helpless. But listening and being there for them is so important. They thank us for this. Yet despite everything, people continue to hope and fight for their freedom.
People don't want to be forgotten and ask us to pray for them too. For them we are a connection to the outside world. It is important to them to keep in touch. We like to keep the lines open, to listen to them, to encourage them and to pray for them. It also affects us, the complexity of the situation suddenly comes a lot closer when you know people personally and listen to their stories! We encourage them to persevere and avoid any form of violence.
For us personally it means that we cannot go back to Myanmar as long as the instability has not cleared. We have experienced many special things; we had beautiful encounters and received many wonderful contacts that enriched our lives and we know this was not in vain. Whenever the situation clears up and it is possible and safe to go back, we will go back as soon as possible.
In the meantime, we are considering and exploring options to work and assist in the development and improvement of the well-being of people in countries in Southeast Asia. We are currently discussing participating in existing projects in one of the countries in the region, hoping to be able to return to Myanmar in due time. We know there is a lot of need in the world! So much to do!
We will keep you informed!
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