New Rangers Work Together to Help Over 1300 People in Four Days

9 January 2025

Karen State, Burma

Rangers joining in on the fun, dancing with the kids.

“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.” -John 13:34 (NLT)

On January 2, 2025, one of our biggest graduating classes, of 155 new and advanced Free Burma Rangers, hiked out of camp toward their first relief mission. The group was made up of 10 different ethnic groups, with individuals ranging from farmers to engineers, rural villagers, city dwellers, freedom fighters and non-violence advocates, Christians, Buddhists, and Animists: all united by love. 

It can’t be overstated how amazing this unity is. Many of the ethnic and social groups represented have generational conflicts, wounds that go back to their grandparents. Most of the ethnic minority students have family or friends killed by the Burman majority army. It would be easy to hold onto those hurts, to choose anger and unforgiveness. It’s one of the reasons why FBR has a call and response where the instructor calls out “Easy way, hard way?!” and students call back “hard way!” Sometimes choosing love is the hard way.

Beginning with three months of training and preparation, these young people set aside their differences to become Rangers, a team working together to bring help, hope, and love to all of Burma. It’s a beautiful image of hope for the future of Burma, a future that we pray will be fully realized through the unity and love of Jesus.

Eliya, the first Free Burma Ranger, encouraging the new Rangers.

One new Ranger who exemplifies this new hope well is Paing So. Some of you may remember his story from our report last year. He is an ethnic Burman who was jailed for protesting the coup and suffered torture and mistreatment while in junta custody for two years. With what he has gone through, he would be justified in giving up on his country. Many others in his situation have fled Burma, seeking new life elsewhere. Paing So chose to stay. He chose to become a Ranger and he chose to help his people whether they are Burman, Mon, Karen, or any other ethnic group. Now he is singing, dancing, and taking part in Gospel skits alongside Rangers from all over Burma, embodying love and unity in action.

Paing So, in the middle wearing a hat and sign, putting on the “Jesus on the Bus” skit with his teammates.

Moving such a large group does have its challenges. Transportation and logistics in the first two days of the mission included 15 mules, a Hino Heavy Duty truck, 10 4-wheel-drive pickup trucks, four long-tail boats, and a barge. With instructors and foreign volunteers included, it was well over 200 people in a long train hiking over the mountains and walking through the villages. It was quite a sight for the people along the trail, all the mules, trucks, and Rangers carrying hundreds of pounds of supplies.

After training, Rangers embarked on their mission to spread help, hope, and love to local communities

The mission was to bring help, hope, and love to the people of Mu Traw District, a part of Karen State, under near constant low-level attack from Burma military aircraft, drones, artillery, and infantry patrols. At school, church, market, and even in their homes, the Karen people live with the constant uncertainty of shells and bombs causing damage, injury, and death. 

Despite the danger, Rangers served about 1,330 people through four Good Life Club relief programs, three mobile clinics, and two evangelism-focused events. One of the GLC programs was located only one kilometer from Burma Army positions. The joy and laughter of the kids was even more meaningful with the danger of Burma Army attack so close. Rangers shared the Gospel through gospel bracelets, the wordless book, and animated dramas about courage, redemption, and Jesus’ living presence. Ranger medics treated patients with no access to advanced medical care in their home villages. Senior Rangers and chaplains met with community leaders to hear their concerns and provide prayer and relief funds. Everyone helped with songs, dances, prayers, and anything else that would bring joy and a smile (dancing the limbo included). On the mission, 11 people decided to become Christian, including two of the Rangers. Rangers loved the people well and loved each other well. In short, the Rangers succeeded in their mission. 

Ranger chaplain leads kids in a song.

We are grateful for our Rangers who through their work and presence bring heaven a little closer to earth. Please continue to pray for the Rangers who will now travel across Burma to bring the help, hope and love to their own communities. 

We are grateful for you, that you have joined with us to help the people of Burma and support the Rangers in all they do.

Thank you and God bless you all,  

The Free Burma Rangers

Our medics provide care and healing to villagers, bringing comfort and support to those in need.
Children laughing at the Rangers’ antics during a GLC program.
Rangers encourage each other with L-O-V-E song before starting the day.
Rangers plan their next movement.
Whether walking, climbing, riding in a truck, or loading up a boat, Rangers find a way.
Each child receives a Good Life Club shirt to remind them of Jesus’ hope and that they are not forgotten.
Rangers hand out relief supplies.
Finishing the Good Life Club with the “charge.”