10/20/2011 Burma (MNN) – Burma appears to be turning a new leaf. The brutal military rule, in charge for nearly half a century, has given way to a civilian government.
The head of that new government launched a series of reforms that appear to be more than superficial reform. Because of it, the Burmese are daring to hope.
How does a country that has been in isolation for the last half century overcome skepticism that this is more than slick public relations? Patrick Klein with Vision Beyond Borders says, “The ministry contact in Burma said he really believes it is changing. He’s very, very hopeful. I think they’re realizing that they cannot stand alone. They need the rest of the world, and they need to open up.”
By taking action, the new government hopes to show that their transition to democracy could be done without the chaos and bloodshed.
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It’s clear that Burma is trying to put some distance between the rule of the past and the rule of the present. Says Klein, “The president is trying to get free from the control of the two top generals, which are actually no longer in power. He did say that one of the parliament members recently had a meeting with the people, and they called it ‘Democracy Day.'” Klein goes on to say that change has come to how Burma represents itself in symbols, too. “They have a new flag now. It’s bright colors: red, yellow and green, with a white star in the middle. It no longer looks Communist, like the former one.”
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Change like this affects every opportunity. “Our friend is trying to get permission for us to send four 40-foot containers full of food, medicine, and there are some Bibles in there, and a lot of clothing. With the president opening up, it affects the government ministers, as well, on every level. So it sounds like we’ll have a better chance of getting supplies in there.”
The changes are an answer to prayer. What happens after that, Klein says, is up to God. “People are watching, and I think they realize, too, that persecution is being made known around the world very fast through the internet. I think they’ll end up backing off the church, and it will be a great opportunity for the Gospel to go into Burma and reach more and more people.”
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