Kachin People Proclaimed to Be the People Belong to God!

Memorial Day Weekend was a memorable weekend for me personally. Just being a part of Kachin people and seeing their enthusiasm for God, I was impacted. Kachin people are the minority tribe of northern part of Burma, now called Myanmar. Kachin people live from Assam states in India through northern Burma toward East, (South west of China) China provinces. The Kachin people are known in different names. They are called “Singpho” in India, “Kachin” in Burma, and “Jingpo” in China. (The Singpho people of Arunachal Pradesh inhabit in the district of Lohit and Changlang and the Kachin State of Burma. Some are also found in the Tinsukia district of Assam. Comprising a population size of 7,200 in India, they live in 13 villages, namely Bordumsa,Dibang, Ketetong, Pangna, Ulup, Ingthem, Mungbhon, Pangsun, Hasak, Katha, Bisa, Namo and Namsai. They are the same people as those called the Kachin in Burma and the Jingpo in China.[1] They speak the Singpho dialect of the Jingpo language.) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singpho)

As I was approaching to the camp site, came across the green grass field that was filled with soccer players. I started to hear Kachin language, they were screaming each other in the soccer field. Unexpectedly, I felt some sort of joy inside and realized that the smile was on my face at the same time. As I pulled my car into parking lot, a few people began to greet us in familiar tones. Dinner tables were filled with joyful people. Their conversations echo the green hills and cabins that surround the camp. English, Burmese, Kachin languages were mixed in that camp. I was told that about 175 persons stayed in the camp, excluding some Bay area Kachin families and their friends who were only participated the camp program at day time. Total, nearly 250 campers encamped in Mount Gilead Camp Site.

The camp theme was “The People Belong to God” based on 1 Peter 2:9-10. I was impressed by the camp theme and its program bulletin. That bulletin was printed neatly in glossy paper. Surely someone has been working hard for this event. That is what I called “doing the best for the task that has been assigned.” The leadership of this camp is expressed in detailing of the camp programs and activities. I can see the quality as well as quantities in it. The food services were available almost 24 hours in the camp. You may inquiry one of the campers how it was. The camp facility is outstanding.

I was assigned in the closing program at last night of the camp. I shared regarding God’s people and their responsibility from 2 Corinthians 6:14-18. When Kachin people claim to be people of God, those people are responsible to maintain righteousness and purity in relationship with God, Almighty. Kachin people are made up of every individual Kachin. Thus, each individual is responsible to keep oneself spotless. For what one person does can be affected to the whole group, the Kachin. Everyone of us has important role to play in Kachin people and their history.

There is no Kachin, if there is no God among Kachin people. "Tradition lovers", so they called us. Yes, the most precious tradition that we, the Kachin generation received is that having faith in the true and living God. No one can up lift the Kachin people with own strength. But God is the One who will raise up the people. If God is for us, where there is God, there will be Kachin. This fact must be understood in every Kachin. Their priority must be right, God first then Kachin. Indeed, we are the people of God. By the grace of God, we are processed by Him in Christ Jesus. Kachin has been redeemed by the blood of Christ from Animists to Christians, the Christ followers. If we only abide in Christ, the Kachin will rise up and to be known as People of God.