Thailand (MNN) — Burma has the world's longest-running civil war. For 60 years, Burma's government has tried ridding the country of all ethnic people groups.
The ethnic cleansing is still happening today, but "it's not in the headlines; it's not going to be in your newspaper.
"Even the little one-page World News Report in your local paper: it's not going to be there," says Rich Lively of The Mission Society.
Along with his wife and three children, Lively has spent three years helping one of these groups, the Karen. Last month, he organized the merger of two aid groups helping Karen refugees in Thailand.
One of the groups, Connect3e, exists to "Embrace, Educate and Empower." They engage injustice and extend compassion so the Karen may experience hope. This mission is accomplished through village aid and development projects, community health programs, and village schools.
Their new co-worker, Compasio, works within refugee communities to protect and empower the vulnerable while expressing the love of Jesus.
By working together, these groups can help more Karen with essentials like clean water or health care. They also help the Karen get documentation, which allows them to find employment in Thailand.
"When you're in the middle of doing all that, I mean, how can you not see God moving in very real ways?" asks Lively.
Pray that the merger would continue going smoothly. Pray that believers from both groups would come together in unity.
"It's the unity of the Body that I believe speaks the loudest to those who are looking," Lively states.
You can learn more about the work of Rich Lively and his wife, Kathy, by clicking here.
