Edward Thawnghmung's journey from Burma to establishing a solid life in Battle Creek was not an easy one. He's spent the last 23 years in Battle Creek working hard building that life for himself, his wife, Anne, and their seven children. And he continues working hard helping people make the same journey from Burma that he made nearly a quarter-century ago.
Thawnghmung, along with a committee of Battle Creek residents, so far has helped about 200 people Burmese people living in Guam and seeking asylum come to live in Battle Creek. "Hundreds of people are waiting to come to Battle Creek," Thawnghmung said. "People are starving spiritually over there. That's why I would like to help them."
Burma, also known as Myanmar, is a southeast Asian nation with about 48 million people. About 90 percent of the population is Buddhist. Christians make up about 5 percent of the country's population, and most of them live in a state called Chin. Christians living in Burma are not able to practice their Christianity openly. Thawnghmung said he'd like to build a Chin community capital in Battle Creek eventually.
Thawnghmung's roots began in Burma during a time when war was in his family's backyard.
When his mother was pregnant with him in 1944 during World War II, the Japanese had taken over Burma. His family's home suffered damage as a result. Thawnghmung was born that same year in that house. As he grew up, he became active in sports, winning many awards in track and field, including first place in shot put and discus in 1964 for his city and that same year for all of Burma. In 1973, he took a one-year scholarship to Leipzig, Germany, for training as a track and field coach. It was his first time outside Burma, and he saw the educational possibilities his children could have if they left Burma.
He returned to Burma after the scholarship working as a coach, but also applied to move possibly to West Germany, Australia, Canada and the United States.
It took several years, but the Thawnghmung family -- with children ranging from ages 7 to 15 -- left Burma in 1980. Because they are of the Baptist faith, they received a sponsorship from First Baptist Church in Battle Creek through the American Baptist headquarters in Valley Forge, Pa.
"He's a good friend of mine," said Woody Johnson, pastor of First Baptist Church in downtown Battle Creek. "I believe the Christian faith is very genuine to him, and he seeks to live that out." In January, the congregation named Thawnghmung a deacon at the church.
Don DeGroot, a friend of Thawnghmung and also treasurer of the Battle Creek Refugee Assistance Committee, said Thawnghmung has had a significant impact on the community through the years. "He started out here with nothing," DeGroot said. "But he and his family mowed lawns, worked any type of job they could and have made a good life for their family."
DeGroot has worked closely with Thawnghmung the past two to three years in bringing the refugees to Battle Creek. All of the 200 are working, and many have bought cars, homes and have applied for green cards. Most are men, and they are working to bring their families to Battle Creek. "We've really worked hard on getting refugees coming from Guam to Battle Creek," he said. "They've been persecuted, and are not allowed to practice Christianity." DeGroot said he remembers when an influx of Burmese refugees had just arrived in Battle Creek and about 13 of them were living in Thawnghmung's house.
"They hadn't found jobs yet, so he allowed them to live with his family," DeGroot said. "He would be up at 3 a.m. taking and picking them up from work." "I consider Edward a friend and a lot of people in Battle Creek -- from the Burmese community and the Americans -- have a lot of respect for him," DeGroot said.
The list of ways Thawnghmung contributes is lengthy. He is a volunteer driver for Family Independence Agency; a volunteer for Lutheran Social Services, which helps with the resettlement of refugees; acts as an interpreter for the refugees; and was one of the originators of the Battle Creek Refugee Assistance Committee.
Thawnghmung is proud of his children, all of whom graduated from Kellogg Community College, and most of them pursued further degrees. His family owns James Jewelry in Battle Creek, and in his spare time he plays the guitar and harmonica.
He has been a member of the Wolverine Harmonica Club for several years.
To get involved
For more information on how to help the Burmese refugees coming to Battle Creek, please call Edward Thawnghmung at 968-1984. Mostly assistance is needed financially and in tutoring in English. Various churches and religious organizations also have assisted the refugees, including Lakeview Baptist, First Congregational, First Baptist and Christian Reformed churches and Lutheran Social Services.