Today’s post was adapted from an update written by a CAMA international worker serving in Southeast Asia.

My passion for helping Rohingya refugees comes from a deep conviction that every life matters to God—especially children—regardless of where they come from or their legal status.

The Rohingya people have been fleeing extreme violence and persecution in Myanmar, seeking safety in Bangladesh. But many have made the dangerous journey to our Southeast Asian country with the hope of starting a new life. However, instead of finding refuge, they have faced rejection and have been treated as a burden instead of as people in need. They live in uncertainty—unwelcomed and forgotten.

During a spontaneous visit to a Rohingya refugee camp, my son, Chad* (who also serves with CAMA), and I were about to leave when a desperate father, Rahmat Ullah*, walked in after yet another futile attempt to get help from the police. His one-month-old baby girl, Amina*, had been kidnapped, and despite numerous pleas, the authorities had taken no action.

A local woman had deceived Amina’s mother, Mama Fatima*, by pretending to care for her and offering to take her and her baby to a clinic for medical advice. Once there, the woman told Mama Fatima to wait outside while she went with Amina to buy some baby clothes. After several hours, it became clear that this woman had no intention of helping. She had planned to steal the baby and had gotten away with it.

When we met Rahmat Ullah, the anguish in his eyes was heartbreaking. He was frustrated, helpless, and out of options. His desperation moved us to act. But how could we help? We were far from our usual network of connections and knew only one local Alliance pastor. Chad began making calls, searching for any way to find baby Amina. Miraculously, he connected with a private investigator who managed to uncover the perpetrator’s active phone location. The details he provided lined up with the route taken by the online taxi service used by the woman to leave the scene. Now we knew the general area where the kidnapper lived but were frustrated that the authorities were hesitating to make an arrest.

Pastor Simon*, another local contact, arranged a meeting with police, but their lack of urgency was clear. Despite pressure from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and International Organization for Migration, it seemed like little would be done. We were frustrated but began asking people to pray.

Believing the police might respond to outside attention, I reached out to Kenny Isaacs at Samaritan’s Purse headquarters in the United States. He acted immediately, sending a letter to several high-level police officials. Within 48 hours, the perpetrator was arrested by police and baby Amina was safely returned to her mother.

This miraculous rescue became a powerful testimony to the compassion of Christ, opening eyes and stirring hearts. Since then, a growing group of Christ followers has been mobilized, committed to showing His love in both word and deed to those living in this camp. These believers have begun making regular visits to the camp, sharing much-needed school materials, mosquito nets, and sanitation supplies with the Rohingya refugees.

Through these efforts, relationships are being built and hope is being restored to a people who have felt forgotten by the world.

*Name changed for security reasons