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 Karen nationals, an ethnic group from Eastern Burma (Myanmar), are coming to Rochester as legal refugees. For some years this tribal group has been enduring ethic cleansing at the hands of the Myanmar military government. Between 500,000 and one million Karen people are living in hiding in Burma, and thousands more live in nine refugee-like camps in Thailand. Governments around the world are now accepting people from the Thai camps. The U.S. State Department has this year opened the way for refugees from the Mae La camp to come to this country. Around 12,000 are coming to some 30 cities across the country, including Rochester. Three years ago our church helped Augustus Spurgeon and his family. Augustus, who previously had part of his education in Rochester, is now working as an interpreter in Utica where some three to four hundred Karens have been settled.
Because of the work of Baptist missionaries, beginning with Adoniram Judson in 1813, most of the Karen people are Baptists. For this reason we have a special interest and a special responsibility. In Rochester, Catholic Family Services is the sponsoring body through Church World Service and other voluntary agencies. Families and individuals are arriving at the Rochester airport almost daily.
The American Baptist Churches of the Rochester/Genesee Region has formed a committee to deal with some of the needs of the Karens and to serve as a welcoming group. Our church is represented on this committee and we have been helping to meet arrivals at the Rochester Airport. The language barrier (few know any English) and the culture shock are extreme. The Karen refugees have been living in very crude circumstances in the refugee camps some for as long as 20 years. The Lake Avenue Baptist Church is the gathering point for the Burmese and some forty are already worshipping and meeting there. For more complete information go to the internet www.karenkonnection.org and look at the display in the Garden Room at our church which includes an updated list of some of the items you might wish to contribute. Donations may be placed in the container marked "REFUGEES near Hubbell Hall where items for Cameron are collected.
Our church has recently been asked to supply a specific need of twin bed sheets. Each refugee is supplied with a new, or slightly used, set containing two twin-size sheets and one pillow case. These items have been supplied by "Saints House" located next to St. Louis Church in Pittsford; however the supply has been greatly diminished. You may bring the bed linens to church and place with the other donations being collected.
Sally Dodgson
Mission Co-chair
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