The Coronavirus Diaries: God Is Our Refuge and Our Strength

Wednesday October 27 2021

In the final Coronavirus Diary, the Rev Ram Thanga writes from Myanmar, where the effects of the coronavirus pandemic have been exacerbated by political turmoil.

Last year, in Myanmar the spread of coronavirus under the leadership of democratically elected leaders was controlled, more or less.

However, the coup on February 1, 2021, changed everything. The people of Myanmar started to protest against the military and most of the government employees joined the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM). As the Spring Revolution got momentum, the pandemic’s third wave, which arrived from India, including the Delta variant, spread to townships in Chin State and Kalay Township. The demonstrations have never stopped all over the country and so, neither has the pandemic. The coup leaders are busy trying to crack down on demonstrations and so control the pandemic.

From January to July 6, at least 60 pastors from Kalay Township, Sagaing Division and northern Chin State, which borders India, died of coronavirus, according to records from the International Chin Christian Minister Fellowship. The records show 48 pastors died in June alone, with nine dying from July 1-6. In Kalay and Tahan where I live, there were around 20 dead bodies buried each day. The Presbyterian Church of Myanmar (PCM) Office was closed except on payday during June and July.

My colleague, Rev Za Nei Thang (Associate General Secretary of PCM) died on the morning of June 29, and Rev Ring Lian Thang, former General Secretary, on the next day. Within 32 days, PCM lost 6 pastors. During these days, we did not have enough medical doctors and nurses as almost all of them joined CDM, besides that there was not enough oxygen for Covid patients. Many of them are treated at home with no medical expertise.

To worsen the situation, our bank cannot provide cash to its customers as there is a no-confidence movement in the military Junta. As a result, churches cannot help the community combat the pandemic. However, some members do not understand the church and there were complaints about the church 'hiding in difficult times'. As head of the church administration, I tried to find financial support from our partners abroad. But our bank system is not reliable and found difficulties in transferring funds. Now, finally some of our partners can send support funds  through Korea and what a great relief it is.

One day I was very much despairing and wondering what Jesus would do in this situation. A situation where crimes are lawful, brutalities become normal, the guardians become robbers; and yet people are helpless and attacked both by covid-19 and Junta. Sometimes I wonder would Jesus concern himself with the rules and regulations of the church in this difficult time? But very soon I remembered Psalm 37, and realised that this is the temptation: this kind of administration system may not last long, I need not bother myself with this. From mid-September, the spread of coronavirus suddenly slow down but some cases are still found each day.

PCM is much blessed by God through our partners around the world whose prayer and financial support are greatly valued. It is obvious in the life of our church that 'God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble'. Now PCM offices are reopened every morning but not the whole day. Let God alone be praised!

The Rev Ram Thanga is General Secretary of the Presbyterian Church of Myanmar

This is the last in the series of Coronavirus Diaries, which began in April 2020 and has included 70 articles from Church of Scotland partners in 37 countries in Africa, Asia, North and South America and Europe (complete list below). We would like to thank all the contributors, and Carol Finlay of the Church's Faith Action Forum for co-ordinating the series.

Next week, as the COP26 climate conference opens, we will begin a new Climate Justice Diary in which Church partners will share how they are affected by climate change. Download Life and Work's free COP26 supplement here.

The Coronavirus Diaries: reflections from Church of Scotland partners around the world

Myanmar: God Is Our Refuge and Our Strength
Switzerland: An Extraordinary Experience
Bangladesh: Challenge and Opportunity
China: We Have Answered the Call
Zambia: Safety for All
South Africa: Resilience and Hope
Nigeria: Life is Gradually Coming Back
Nepal: Our Deadliest Enemy
Malawi: A Crisis That Will Not Go Away
Kenya: Covid is Real
Belgium: Some Silver Linings
South Africa: Will We Keep Listening?
Zimbabwe: Untold Sufferings
A Deep and Inconsolable Loss: Tribute to Phumzile Mabizela
Malawi: This Was Very Real
Sri Lanka: Daily Numbers are Shocking
Jerusalem: Virtual Prisoners
Bangladesh: We Will Survive by the Grace of God
Nepal: Exhausting and Often Heartbreaking
Malawi: God Has Been Faithful to Us
France: Thankful For What I Have
India: Love Your Neighbours
A Nigerian in Scotland: Alone But Not Lonely
Taiwan: When We Work Together, We Achieve the Best Results
Hungary: We Mourn Each Loss
Zambia: Preparing for the Vaccine, and a Third Wave
World Communion of Reformed Churches: The 'Covid and Beyond' Church
Pakistan: Passing the Light
Lebanon: The Lord Will Not Forsake Us
South Korea: 'It is Time For Christians to Hear the Marginalised'
Cuba: Keep Moving On
Canada: Cracks Have Been Exposed
Kenya: Leave No Child Behind
USA: Homes of Prayer
Mozambique: Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread
A Spaniard in Scotland: The Power of Movement
South Sudan: Being Positive
A Nigerian in Scotland: God is in Charge
Trinidad and Tobago: New Frontiers
Czech Republic: A Challenge for Everybody
Switzerland: An Outpouring of Solidarity and Creativity
The West Bank: A Landscape of Broken Dreams
Nepal: So Many Premature Goodbyes
Malawi: We Must Hold Each Other Close
Nigeria: A Fresh Spiritual Connectedness
Egypt: 'This Is A Time To Witness God'
Guyana: The Strength of our Connectedness
South Korea: A Harsh Reality
Zimbabwe: Convenience or a Wake-up Call?
Sri Lanka: Service is the Highest Form of Worship
USA: Testing Positive
Portugal: The Mission of the Church Has Not Changed
World Council of Churches: A New Dawn is Upon us
Hungary: Physically Distant but Close in Spirit
A German in Scotland: Something New Has Already Begun
Myanmar: We Will Overcome this Hardship
Ghana: This Too Shall Pass
Brazil: The Least We Can Do
Kenya: Caring for One Another in Christ
An Indian in Germany: A Time of Enrichment
Argentina: Time in Between
Malawi: 'My identity in Christ remains unchanged'
Jerusalem: Being Rather than Doing
Malawi: No Lockdown and an Election
Zambia: 'I will never leave you... or forsake you'
Czech Republic: The Covid Cover-up
Zambia: 'All Life is Sacred'
Israel/Palestine: 'The Air is Clear'
Nepal: 'Please Pray for Us'
Malawi: Tough Dilemmas
Italy: 'Together, We Will Get Through It'