Shan-Tai prayer month 2011, day 4
Addict preparing opium
Burma is one of the world’s largest illegal opium producers, with much of the production coming from Shan State.
To appease the United Nations and the West the Burmese military junta have claimed to be ‘making war on drugs’. However, in reality much of the money to finance military operations comes from drugs and apparent decreases in production are more a consequence of poor growing conditions than government anti-drug operations.
A favourite claim of the military junta has been that Burma does not have a drug problem, the problem lies with the West and drugs do not harm Burmese people.
“The senior general’s mantra has always been: Narcotics harm no Burmese. Drugs harm only the US and Thailand. So let the Americans and Thais die!” (Maj Aung Lyn Tut, Military intelligence officer who defected to the West, 15 November 2007)
The excerpt below is part of a true situation (names changed) which is repeated many times over in Shan villages and tells a very different story:
Sai Hsai, who just turned 15 last month, is well known by everyone from his village and surrounding villages.
One might wonder whether it is because he is a superman or a good boy to his parents, or he has won the lottery that he is known by every single person.
Actually, he is well known notoriously because of his addiction to opium until he is called “King of Opium Eaters.” He extremely loves to take Khakhu, which is very popular among people in this region. Khakhu is a mixture of opium and minced poppy pod shreds with some edible creeper. People smoke it with bamboo water pot.
“He can take the same amount as elder people. All the money he has earned, he just spends on opium. He is always thinking how to earn money to buy opium,” complained his grandmother, Nai Kham, in an angry tone.
(Looking for a different ending by Hseng Khio Fah)
God can, and does, set people free from addiction to alcohol, drugs and sin. To do so each person must acknowledge Him and repent. To be able to do this they must hear the gospel clearly.
Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever.
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
(John 8:34-36 ESV)
Pray for
- Those who find solace in drinking to choose to turn from alcohol and drink from the fountain of life (Psalm 36:8-9).
- The Shan to see that they can have abundant life in Jesus, the life-giving and faithful friend (John 15:15).
- That Jesus will set free those who are chained to addiction.
- Pray for courageous and loving Christians to take the Gospel to Shan people currently lost in alcohol, drugs and sin.
Other posts related to this topic:
External Resources:
Download the Shan Prayer Guide:
30 Days of Prayer for the Shan
Image of Shan addict preparing opium: Shan Drug Watch Issue 3
