When asked about the situation back in Chin State, the Chin team replied, "There is always a way to work around the SPDC. It is dangerous, they try to stop us, but we pray and find a way. We have hope for change and will continue doing our part. We are happy to do this work."
The Arakan team leader said, "It is always possible to help the people. Sometimes it is dangerous but the people need our help and assist us in this-so we are all working together."
The PaO team said that in their area they could do many good things and they felt change would surely come. They saw no reason to give up. "We feel this is a good way to lead our lives and we believe that this work is good for our people, so we will try."
The Kachin team members said that even though it is difficult to work in their area due to the ceasefire and presence of Burma Army, there is always a way, and when they are blocked from helping Kachin people, they can then help other people.
The Karenni team medic said, "We are now glad to be able to help Karen people here and when this mission is over we will go back to our own areas to do a relief mission. You know our leaders have done a good job of building relationships among villagers under the Dictators' control and we can go to many places. The people are always glad to see us."
The Shan who were also with us on this mission volunteered to stay longer in Karen State to help with a follow on mission in an area of need. They have learned enough Karen to communicate and the medic never seems happier than when he is surrounded by patients. He sits in the middle of a group of people and always looks up with a smile and a look on his face that seems to say, "I am overwhelmed but I am trying my best and I like this very much".
The Karen teams, for their part, were very good hosts and introduced the other ethnic teams to gatherings at the various stops in the mission journey. These were opportunities for the ethnic teams to sing a traditional song or dance a traditional dance for the villagers and those displaced. Everyone loved it and friendships were built across ethnic lines.
As one Kachin team leader told us; "Before I would only die for Kachin blood, now I will die for anyone in Burma."
©FBR/BNN
