“If you could meet anyone in the world, who would you want to meet?” This is the question my friend, Faisal, asked me one day when I visited his home. I sat and pondered my answer. What would you say? A famous movie or sports star? Or maybe a famous teacher or preacher?
To my surprise, that is not how my friend answered. As I thought about my answer, Faisal continued, “if I could meet anyone in the world I would want to meet my mother. I haven’t seen her in over 20 years. I miss her.”
Sadly, this is reality for many Rohingya people. Their troubled situation has led to many families being separated as they seek refuge in other countries. It is well documented that countless lives have been lost due to the conflict in Rakhine state, and many people die whilst trying to travel across the ocean in small boats bound for Malaysia.
Even in the day of smartphones and video calling, it is difficult for families to stay connected. Access to the internet and mobile networks are limited in the refugee camps of Bangladesh. Things we take for granted are often an out of reach luxury to the Rohingya.
Let us remember the families separated across the globe, and pray for peace and opportunity to connect… and even be reunited.
- Pray that Faisal will be reunited with his mother.
- Pray for all separated Rohingya families; for opportunities to stay connected and be reunited.
- Pray protection for those who do decide to travel from Bangladesh to a third country.
- Pray that Rohingya would turn to Jesus who cares about the pain they are experiencing and wants to heal their broken hearts.