Sol fled to Malaysia several years ago to escape violence and to prepare a home for his wife and son to join him. A few months ago, he had saved enough money to pay for their passage to Malaysia and had a home ready for them. The time had finally come to bring his wife and 14-year-old son to join him, but they were detained as they were trying to leave Myanmar.
His wife was released after a few months, but she was told her son would be kept in detainment until 2025. She is now waiting for his release.
Sol asked me if there was anything the UN or anyone else could do. His wait to rejoin his family had been met with great disappointment. He kept saying, “Someone must have mercy. They must have mercy.”
Although it seems there isn’t any recourse to help with this situation, I shared with him the story of Jesus healing the blind beggar outside of Jericho who cried out for mercy as well. When the crowd tried to quiet him, he cried all the louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” This man knew that only Jesus could help him.
Sol’s situation is similar in that it will take Jesus turning peoples’ hearts to set his son free. Thankfully, we serve the One who is able to set the captives free (Isaiah 61). Lord, let it be!
- Pray that this situation would ultimately lead to salvation for Sol and his family.
- Pray that Sol’s son will be released and that his family will be safely reunited.
- Pray for openness and continued conversations with Sol as we walk with him through this difficulty.
- Pray for other Rohingya people facing similar situations- for God to comfort and draw near to them.