Have you heard of the Karen people? They are from Burma, called Myanmar by their military government. The recent cyclone has brought much attention to this region and the media has indicated thousands of people have lost their lives.
It is estimated 2,000-3,000 Karen refugees presently live in Minnesota with the majority residing in St. Paul. It is estimated 500 to 1000 will arrive in St. Paul in the next year. They will be needing help to meet basic needs—housing, health screening, job placement, education, and English language training.
The Karen are primarily a Christian people group that are not welcomed in their native land. The military government is trying to eradicate the people and their culture. Many have been living in Thailand refugee camps for decades. The camps often run out of food in the middle of the month, water is in short supply and unsanitary, and diseases often afflict those living there. Since they cannot return to their native land, resettling in another country is their only option. Yet resettling is complicated by the language barrier, the lack of education, and lack of employment skills from the years in refugee camps. Pastor Phonh Sinbondit is ministering to several of these families at New Life Church in New Brighton. It is a place to worship and a place to gather.
The initial focus must be language. English skills are a vital component to successful assimilation. Without those skills, it is almost impossible to be employed. Volunteers from Faith CRC are providing tutoring and English as a Second Language (ESL) classes to the Karen members of New Life Church. They are also exploring other ways to assist these families—from offering family to family hospitality to long-term advocacy relationships.
Starfish Ministries, Pastor Phonh and others are joining together to begin a community development effort among the Karen people in St. Paul—both those who are part of New Life and the others who live in the same area. Identifying and equipping leaders from within the Karen community is our goal as well as building a cadre of volunteers to help.
On Sunday, May 4, Starfish Ministries and Pastor Phonh did an awareness presentation at Faith CRC about the condition of the Karen people and their experiences. The Karen, dressed in colorful clothing, beautifully sang a hymn reminding us that we are all one Body of Christ coming from many tongues, many tribes, many nations.
If you would like to know more, or are interested in volunteering, contact Starfish Ministries.
It is estimated 2,000-3,000 Karen refugees presently live in Minnesota with the majority residing in St. Paul. It is estimated 500 to 1000 will arrive in St. Paul in the next year. They will be needing help to meet basic needs—housing, health screening, job placement, education, and English language training.
The Karen are primarily a Christian people group that are not welcomed in their native land. The military government is trying to eradicate the people and their culture. Many have been living in Thailand refugee camps for decades. The camps often run out of food in the middle of the month, water is in short supply and unsanitary, and diseases often afflict those living there. Since they cannot return to their native land, resettling in another country is their only option. Yet resettling is complicated by the language barrier, the lack of education, and lack of employment skills from the years in refugee camps. Pastor Phonh Sinbondit is ministering to several of these families at New Life Church in New Brighton. It is a place to worship and a place to gather.
The initial focus must be language. English skills are a vital component to successful assimilation. Without those skills, it is almost impossible to be employed. Volunteers from Faith CRC are providing tutoring and English as a Second Language (ESL) classes to the Karen members of New Life Church. They are also exploring other ways to assist these families—from offering family to family hospitality to long-term advocacy relationships.
Starfish Ministries, Pastor Phonh and others are joining together to begin a community development effort among the Karen people in St. Paul—both those who are part of New Life and the others who live in the same area. Identifying and equipping leaders from within the Karen community is our goal as well as building a cadre of volunteers to help.
On Sunday, May 4, Starfish Ministries and Pastor Phonh did an awareness presentation at Faith CRC about the condition of the Karen people and their experiences. The Karen, dressed in colorful clothing, beautifully sang a hymn reminding us that we are all one Body of Christ coming from many tongues, many tribes, many nations.
If you would like to know more, or are interested in volunteering, contact Starfish Ministries.
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