Photo: Wikipedia / Saisanmyint (cc)
Four young men were wounded when Myanmar's military shelled the Kachin Theological Seminary on November 3rd. The attack happened in Kutkai, Shan State – a state where there has been recurring fighting between the military and various ethnic rebel groups. However, there were no ongoing conflicts reported taking place in or near the town of Kutkai, leading many to believe that the attack against the school was intentional.
Christians have frequently been targeted by the country's military, which consists chiefly of Buddhist soldiers. At least 92 religious sites have been damaged or destroyed in the predominantly Christian regions of Myanmar. In this most recent incident, which occurred in the evening, the shelling struck a tree rather than hitting one of the buildings. Four students who had been in a dormitory at the time were injured after being hit with shrapnel from the ordnance. "I can't even imagine what could have happened if it had hit them directly," commented a volunteer who helped take the injured students to the hospital. Thankfully, their injuries were relatively minor.
The Kachin Theological Seminary is well-known in the area, serving the needs of the Kachin Baptist Convention since 1932. This attack happened only four days after a Baptist church building was partially destroyed by a shelling attack in a village of the Momauk township, Kachin State. To review additional reports outlining the difficulties encountered by our Christian brothers and sisters in Myanmar, go to our country report.
Pray for the full recovery of the four young men who were injured in this most recent attack. May the Lord provide protection and comfort for these students and the many other innocent inhabitants of this region who are at risk of danger due to the vicious violence perpetrated by ruthless members of the military. Please also pray for the continued ministry of Christians in the area who are faithfully reaching out to those around them with the love of God, despite the constant threat of persecution.
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