A Short Visit at Karen Refugee Camp

On our way to Mae La Camp (click picture for bigger size).

Last April 4, the day after we arrived in Bangkok we traveled to Mae Sot for 10 hours by bus. It was a memorable experience for Ian Carlo because it was his first time to ride a double deck bus. In Mae Sot, we had the opportunity to minister to Karen (Myanmar tribe) believers living in Thailand. We also visited Mae La Camp, a large refugee camp for Karen. "The camp is very wide. I think thousands of people living there. We sang our outreach theme song in one of their high school class. While we were singing the song 'Grace Alone,' I cannot control my tears. It is because by God's grace that we were there singing in front of the refugees - face to face." - journal entry of Elena, April 4, 2012. 

The result of civil war.

We also visited the Karen Handicap Welfare Association which house the victims of the Civil War. Again, we sang the song "Grace Alone" and they also sang to us a Karen Christian song which really moved our hearts. Their physical condition is very sad as a result of war. Most were blind and amputated, either of hands or feet but they were an encouragement to us because despite of their condition they still manage to make handicrafts which they sell to visitors. We left the camp sad about the plight of the refugees but also blessed that Karen Christians are strong in their faith to the Lord.