Mary’s Story: A Heart for Myanmar Refugees

 Mary grew up in a strong Christian family near Yangon, Myanmar. Her parents were deeply involved in the Church of the Nazarene—her father in business, and her mother as a respected high school principal and church leader. Their home was a place of prayer and service, and Mary was raised to love God and His church.

But in 2021, everything changed. When the military staged a coup, Mary’s mother—because she was a school principal—became a direct target of persecution. The family was forced to leave their home, their church, and the life they had known. With only what they could carry, they fled across the border into Thailand, seeking safety in the Mae Sot refugee community.

Life in the refugee camp was difficult. Poverty, fear, and uncertainty marked every day. Yet in that season of suffering, God planted something new in Mary’s heart: a deep compassion for her fellow refugees. She began to see the brokenness all around her—not only the loss of homes and livelihoods, but also the wounds of addiction, depression, and despair. And she felt God’s call to bring hope, healing, and the gospel of Christ into that brokenness.

Mary and her family began serving among refugees, sharing the Word of God and offering care to children and families who had no future. Out of these small beginnings, three new refugee congregations have already been planted, becoming spiritual homes for people who once felt forgotten.

In September 2025, Mary helped lead a special discipleship and revival gathering for Myanmar diaspora youth and families in Mae Sot. For three days, hundreds gathered to study the Word, worship, and experience God’s Spirit. Many confessed sins, found healing for deep wounds, and received new passion to follow Christ. Ten people were baptized, and 180 experienced the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Young leaders committed themselves to training, two JESUS Film teams were formed, and ten new students enrolled in Bible school. Out of this gathering came a bold vision: to raise 100 new leaders and plant 100 churches among Myanmar refugees within the next ten years.

For Mary, this was not just an event. It was the unfolding of her life’s calling. She says:

“God has taken my family’s suffering and turned it into compassion. I cannot forget the refugees, because I am one of them. My heart is for them to know that Jesus is alive, that He heals broken families, and that He gives a new future.”

Mary’s story is one of resilience and passion. From being forced into exile, she has emerged as a missionary to her own people—leading, discipling, and planting churches among Myanmar refugees in Thailand. She represents a new generation of young Southeast Asian leaders: shaped by suffering, driven by compassion, and committed to God’s mission no matter the cost.