My name is Mary (not her real name) and I’m a Myanmarese Christian. I’m in my early 30s and currently am one of the many Myanmar refugees residing in Malaysia. I have been in Malaysia for over 2 years since arriving on April 10, 2022.
Many Malaysians have asked me why I left Myanmar to come here. Everyone loves their home country and family, and if I have a choice, I would love to continue being in Myanmar to study, work and even start a family. But I had to flee my country or die from persecution. The military coup, which started in February 2022, has seen the army arresting, torturing and killing those who do not support them. I happen to be one of the protestors who support democracy and the NLD Party under the leadership of Aung San Su Kyi.
One day, I participated in a protest of the military coup in a town called Tamu. The army threw bombs to disperse us. Some lost their lives instantly. I lost my left leg. By the time the medic found me, I was half dead and bleeding profusely. By the grace of God, and with the help of the Kuki (one of the Myanmar tribes) community leaders in the Tamu area, I received treatment and was smuggled out to Malaysia.
As a refugee, my greatest fear is safety. I am no longer able to go back to my home country as it’s not safe for me. However, I also don’t feel totally safe in Malaysia. Most refugees will tell you that we constantly live in fear of the authorities, such as the immigration that may deport us. And if that happens, it may well be the end of our lives.
I thank God that in my fear, I can look to Jesus for assurance. Jesus is my redeemer, protector and refuge. I am convinced that it’s because of Him that I am still alive and serving my community. In spite of my tragic and fearful situation, Jesus has shown me that He can be trusted to protect me from evil and keep me from harm.
Jesus has also provided me through the church. As a refugee, I can hardly find work or survive with only one functioning leg and one prosthetic leg. But God has provided financial help through my community church. On top of that, since last year, PJEFC has been giving me a monthly allowance for serving the refugee kids in my neighbourhood and church. This provision has helped me a lot and assured me that God is looking after my needs.
Rev. Alexa Ho (PJEFC senior pastor) has asked me, “What can the church do more to welcome refugees in our midst? How can the church, like Jesus, be a refuge and safe space for the refugees?”
I believe the church has an important role in helping people like us. You can help provide us with basic day-to-day needs such as food, medical aid, rent for our place, and emotional and spiritual support. I thank those brothers and sisters who remember us constantly in prayer and partner with us to organise fund-raising bazaars to help our poorer members. Some of you have even gone the extra mile to get us jobs so we can make a living with our hands.
Above all, we desire to be embraced as men and women made in God’s image, and be welcomed, treated with respect and dignity, and be assured of safety in this land that many of us now call home.
Get Involved
🙏 Spent 2 minutes to pray for refugees.
🤔 Reflect: How can you as an individual, family or cell group welcome refugees in our midst?