| QUESTIONS ABOUT BURMA Why are people in Burma being persecuted? The clearest answer is that the Burma Army dictatorship wants complete control over the population of Burma. The people in Burma want to live in peace and build lives for themselves, their families and their communities. This has inevitably brought conflict between the people of Burma (of all ethnicities) and the (SPDC) State Peace and Development Committee. Where is Burma? Burma is bordered by the China on the north, Laos on the east, Thailand on the southeast, Bangladesh on the west, and India on the northwest, with the Andaman Sea to the south, and the Bay of Bengal to the southwest. To see a map of Burma and have a general understanding of the distribution of ethnic groups geographically click on the following link: http://www.prayforburma.org/IDX/Images/Burma_Map_Sepia.jpg
There are other groups and organizations that do an immense job of serving the internally displaced people inside Burma. Along with others you can visit www.partnersworld.org and www.freeburmarangers.org to learn about their work. Why is Burma also called Myanmar? Why isn’t Burma in the news? Burma having one of the longest civil wars in the world has been in the news for many years. Yet, the war and oppression that continues in Burma is not often in headline news. In 1988, a massacre of over 3,000 people throughout the country was committed by the military regime. Recently, Burma was in the news due to a UN Security Council vote in which nine members voted for a resolution on Burma. Unfortunately, China and Russia vetoed this resolution, along with South Africa opposing as well. Why does the Burma Army oppress their own people? A Kachin man from Burma once answered this question best. “None of the people like the Burma Army. However, once you become a Burma Army soldier your heart changes with a gun in your hand. You like the power it gives you.” Is the Burma Army committing genocide? Technically, the term genocide endorsed by the UN in the Genocide Convention of 1948 is: Genocide means any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such: (a) Killing members of the group; By this definition the Burma Army is committing genocide. However, the term genocide is usually attributed to mass killings (i.e. The Holocaust, Yugoslavia, Rawanda and presently Sudan) to name a few. The acts that are occurring in Burma are a slow and methodical oppression of the people with an aim of complete dominance. What is an IDP? IDP is an acronym for “Internally Displaced Person/people.” The United Nations defines an IDP as: - Armed conflict. In Burma there is an estimate of over one million IDP’s whom have either been forcibly removed, fled to an area where they do not wish to live or are currently on the run and in hiding. QUESTIONS ABOUT FARTHEST CORNERS WORK What can I do? Pray: We believe that God hears our prayers and we trust in God’s word that evil will not last. Learn: By doing a quick search on the internet you will be amazed at how much information there is about what is occurring inside Burma. Visit our links section for more information. Share: Talk with others about what you have heard and read. Contact us to invite a Farthest Corners speaker to come visit your church/group. Act: There are other groups that work to help the oppressed inside Burma. You can contact anyone of these groups by visiting our additional links section. Farthest Corners reaches out in love against the evil that is occurring inside Burma. There are numerous ways you may support Farthest Corners work. By purchasing items on I give, donating items for e-bay sales or making Good Life Club packs are only some of the ways you can help. If you would like to share your blessings and donate to Farthest Corners, or you have more questions, please contact us. What is the need? Relief supplies! Rice and medicine are the most common request, but Farthest Corners remains flexible to provide for specific requests of the people. Is Farthest Corners' mission to all Asia, or only to Burma? Farthest Corners current focus is in the region of Southeast Asia, specifically Burma. However, relationships continue to be built with friends representing many regions and people groups throughout Asia. However, our current focus is where we feel we have been called and can make the most impact. We continue to pray and keep our eyes open to God’s will in how He will use us in this part of the world. Are Farthest Corners missionaries in personal danger? Sometimes Farthest Corners sends people into places that most people tend to believe are dangerous. We recognize that some might find our work as questionable or even foolish. Still, we prayerfully go to express God’s love where the need is greatest. Is Farthest Corners affiliated with any particular Christian Denomination? No, Farthest Corners is an organization that works alongside secular and non secular groups. However, our mission and purpose is for God’s love to be reflected in all we do. What percentage of contributions goes to administrative overhead versus directly to mission work? Farthest Corners aim is to keep our percentage of administrative overhead below 5%. If you would like to receive any of our financial reports, please contact us. Are you able to supply a speaker to our group/church? Farthest Corners is happy to supply a speaker for your church or civic group. If able a member of the board will come to your organization's meeting and talk about the work being done to help the people of Southeast Asia. Discussions can be geared toward adult, youth or children's groups. To request a speaker contact us. Are donations to Farthest Corners tax deductible? Farthest Corners is recognized as a 501c3 organization by the US Internal Revenue Service. Financial donations made to Farthest Corners in the United States are tax deductible.
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