It's my last morning here in Myanmar, as I wake up at 4:30am. In the distance I hear the children already getting up preparing themselves to walk us to the boat at 6am. We experienced many emotions as we said our goodbyes last night. Many tears from students not wanting us to leave. To not make it more difficult for them I held back my own tears.
Even with the constant threat of attack by Burmese military, they have a wonderful life here. I constantly ask myself why did God bring me here, but after this visit I understand why. We must continue to build this place for the sake of God’s kingdom and to give dignity to a forgotten people. I wanted to stay longer; but I know my other responsibilities await my attention, so for the mean time I must leave these good people.
One night I asked a question for the students to think about. I asked them, "What is your dream?" Later that night they came and told us. They have high hopes. They want to be nurses, doctors, priests, soldiers, mechanics. So much talent they have. So now we try to arrange something for the future. What it will be, how it will happen, I am not sure. But I know that with God’s help we must do it.
This morning as I said my morning prayer by flash light in the church, one boy comes in to say a prayer before he left to visit his parents for the week. After his prayer he turned around where I was praying and with tears on his eyes said, goodbye Pah Doh (Father).
Fr. Seraphim, fbp
Community Servant (Franciscan Brothers Of Peace)
Chaplain for the Karen Community.
Chaplain for St. Jerome School, Maplewood.