Hope in Painted Clouds: It\u2019s warmer this morning, perhaps because of the rain last night. Light bleeds across the sky, painting its cloud towers in preternatural hues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A voice blends with the stillness of the early morning hours: \u201cThe clouds, they are like the zoo. You can see any animal you wish in them.\u201d Strange words to hear from a battalion commander on any battlefield, but fitting coming from the man standing next to me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Albert is not like most military commanders. In fact, before the coup, he wasn\u2019t one. At first glance, you might pass him by, but more than a cursory observation reveals that there is something special about this man. You cannot help but be charmed by his ever-ready smile, gentle demeanor, and humility. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Born to a farming family in a village nestled at the base of the mountains west of Loi Kaw, Karenni State, Albert soon realized his passions lay elsewhere. Like many young men and women seeking their calling, he left home. His professional pursuits included priestly studies with the local Roman Catholic Church, a supermarket employee in Singapore, a 7-11 clerk in Dubai and a Migration Education and Trafficking Awareness educator with an International Non-government Organization (NGO) based in Yangon. <\/p>\n\n\n\n He found satisfaction working in the NGO world but, with the advent of the coup, he answered the call to defend his homeland and returned to his village. Once there, he was commissioned as battalion commander within the Karenni National Defense Forces (KNDF).<\/p>\n\n\n\n You quickly learn that his desires are secondary to those of duty and the needs of his men. One desire, the well-being of his men, goes beyond their tactical readiness. He encourages them to pick up trash around their positions by first doing it himself. \u201cYou cannot expect them to do, if you will not\u2026” he says and goes on to state matter-of-factly that it is important for not only the environment but our own well-being to keep our area clean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He is accused of being too soft by his peers, but the symptoms of weak leadership are not noticeable in his command. His soldiers obey his orders quickly and show him respect. His leadership style appears that of a wise older brother amongst his younger siblings: loving, but stern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe other night the soldiers [stationed in the forward observation post] said they wanted to come back because of the rain and they were very cold. But I told them, ‘no, it is your duty, you have to stay.’\u201d He said this while cooking breakfast with the same soldiers recently returned from their forward position. They were wet and tired but in good spirits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He has concerns regarding the outcome of this conflict. He says regretfully, \u201cThe villagers provide us with food, but we do not like being a burden to them.\u201d But then he continues with a smile, \u201cWe do not have enough guns or ammunition and we do not have training like the Burma Army. But we have heart and we will fight to the end.\u201d He went on to say, “90 percent of villagers are behind us. They’ve told us even if our homes are burned, don’t give up.” He says to me, \u201cThe Bible says to focus on today; tomorrow has enough problems of its own,\u201d then adds, \u201cbut it is hard not to worry.\u201d So his hope remains, and stands the test of sniper fire, mortar attacks, and possible invasion at any moment. That hope is instilled in his soldiers. They man improvised fighting positions, standing between overwhelming military might and their families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Amidst the continual threat of overwhelming military power, a small band of civilian volunteers stand their ground. And as David prevailed against Goliath, there is hope. <\/p>\n\n\n\n God bless you,<\/p>\n\n\n\n Free Burma Rangers<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n
A Servant-Leader on the Karenni Front<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.freeburmarangers.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/IMG_6838-1-1.jpg\")
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