Awareness Exercise - Zach

1. The reading I found to be the most interesting, was The Revolution of the Spirit, by Aung San Suu Kyi. Her speech, made by her son, was the one that impacted me the most, because there are similar issues in the world. Many countries suffer from poverty, war, famine and imprisonment, and Aung San Suu Kyi stated that the Nobel Peace Prize she received, was for them. She dedicated her award to those who were in Burma. Additionally, the fight for democracy was and still is prevalent in many nations today; and many nations suffer the consequences of rebellion and civil war because of it. Personally, I liked her speech because of her fight and courage, as well as her sacrifice for her cause. She stresses the need for freedom in her country, just as we stressed the need for our freedom in the late 1700's. At the end of her speech, I like when she said, "The quest for democracy in Burma is the struggle of a people to live whole, meaningful lives as free and equal members of the world community." I found this quote to be very inspirational and powerful; especially coming from a woman who was under house arrest. Most recently, Burma has had riots and protests regarding freedom of speech and other aspects of Democracy. Aung San Suu Kyi is leading a democratic movement, called National League for Democracy, and is currently in the Burmese Parliament.

2. A country I am concerned about is the Central African Republic (C.A.R.) in central Africa. Most recently and still ongoing, there has been a civil war within the country, to where factions of Muslim extremists in the area are attacking the government, as well as the civilians throughout the country. Upwards of 80 percent of the population is Christian, and the Muslim attackers are targeting them, persecuting them, and killing them. Because of their faith, the Christians do not retaliate, and the government is refusing to protect them. Houses, churches, villas, and towns have been burned or destroyed. However, there is a Christian coalition called the Christian anti-balaka, which is retaliating against the Muslim attackers, though they are not a strong enough force. The president of the C.A.R fled most recently, and a coup d'etat has occurred, and the government is being overthrown. The U.N and France have both sent several hundred soldiers to ensure the safety of the Christians and the current government. My church is affiliated with a non-profit organization, known as Encompass World Partnership, and my church has a partnership with another similar church over in the C.A.R. Many people from my church have made donations and have given relief money for food, supplies, and funding for schools in the C.A.R. Additionally, people from my church have gone to the C.A.R, to aide and set up ministries for the fellow Christians over there. We are all concerned with what is happening over in the C.A.R. This issue is affecting the surrounding nations, as well as the family and friends of those who are here, while someone they know is over aiding the people in the C.A.R

A Christian church in the C.A.R that was burned by the Muslim rebels. Many churches in the nation have faced similar atrocities. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_African_Republic_conflict_(2012%E2%80%93present)#Coup_d.27.C3.A9tat