The Joy of Relationship Among the Karen

Nestled deep in the jungle of Burma, where conflict and chaos are part of everyday life, I find myself in an extraordinary place of beauty—not just in the landscape, but in the people. Here with Earth Mission, a program dedicated to medical, engineering, and agricultural training, I’ve been privileged to witness God’s work among the Karen people.

What they’ve built here is nothing short of miraculous: a fully functional medical infrastructure that provides inpatient, outpatient, obstetric, and surgical services to those with no other options for healthcare. And they’ve done it all in the middle of a war torn country with extremely limited resources.

Amid the backdrop of conflict, the Karen people radiate joy and hope that can only be described as supernatural. They live under constant threat—bombings that force them to dive

into trenches are a constant reality—but their spirits remain unbroken.

Instead of fear and bitterness, they exude kindness, servant-heartedness, and a profound sense of community.

As a foreigner, or galawa, I am continually overwhelmed by their generosity. Despite having little themselves, the Karen go to great lengths to ensure their guests are more than cared for…if you are here, you are family.

The students often subsist on a simple diet of rice and foraged vegetables, yet they insist on offering their very best to us, even if it means serving a meat that I might hesitate to identify. When I expressed guilt for having so much to eat while they had much less to one of the students, she replied with a wide smile, “No, Thera (a term of endearment and respect), we are privileged to have you here and we want you to have our best.” The privilege is all mine and it’s humbling in ways I can’t fully express with words.

There have been so many sweet moments here, but one that stands out vividly to me is arriving back at where I’m staying in the middle of the day to find one of the administrators doing my laundry...for no apparent reason (or maybe I stunk so bad and she was just giving me a hint?). Her office was all the way across campus and I definitely had not mentioned that I needed to wash my clothes to anyone—how did she know? The simple answer is they value each other and relationships more than they value anything else. She anticipated a need knowing how long I had been here and, in true Karen fashion, she met it—quietly, joyfully, without hesitation, and, most importantly, with no ulterior motive other than just to serve. “Thank you” or “TarBlut” is the currency here. No payment needed nor would it be accepted.

This way of living; this deep-seated joy in serving others and living in true community seems so foreign to many, but it's something we all can learn from. It springs from a faith system that always prioritizes people over all else. Their lives are marked by sacrifice, yet they never complain; instead, they often sing and smile brightly as they serve.

It’s a lesson for all of us: joy can be found in any circumstance when living a life of purpose, serving others, and trusting in God.

1 Thess 5:16

The Karen people have taught me so much during my time here. Their resilience, faith, and willingness to put others first are a testament to God’s work in their lives. In a place where survival is a daily challenge, they have built a community that thrives on love, generosity, and unwavering togetherness.

I feel blessed to be part of this, even be it in a small way. My prayer is that we, too, can learn from the Karen people’s example—finding joy in service, gratitude in simplicity, strength in faith and prioritization of relationships.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support for Earth Mission and the amazing work being done here. God is moving in powerful ways among the Karen people, and I’m privileged and grateful to witness it firsthand. Merry Christmas and may God continue to bless all of you.

-Danny