For members of Burma's ethnic minorities who flee over the borders life can be quite good if they can integrate into a village of their own people in the new country. Wven as "illegal immigrants" with no rights and a fear of the authorities they have a place to sleep, work and food. If they integrate into a refugee camp life is more restricted still, but more secure, since an NGO and the UNHCR seek to protect your "rights". If however you are "caught" by the authorities, or a vigilante group, in the new country, then things get tough. This account arrived today from a friend of ours:

The holding cell is seriously overcrowded with standing room only. My brother must even try to sleep standing up as there is no place for him to lie down! He was covered in 'jail rash' from all the lice, ticks, bed bugs and mosquitos that are continually biting him. He was still wearing the same set of clothes he was arrested in 3 months ago! I asked him if he had had anything to eat and he said "no". He has lost a lot of weight and is looking very thin. Despite all this, my brother seemed content and told me that he was trusting in God. Please pray that the UNHCR will use their influence to try to help him and that Immigration will move him out of this horrible and inhumane place.

Please pray!