Like so many of the students at Bishop Maginn, Ler and Gayler were born on the other side of the world,  in strife-torn Myanmar, were forced to flee their homes because of their faith, waited in refugee camps to find a new home, and were able to get to the United States.

Since they were five years old, they’ve been friends for as long as they can recall and are now in school together, both freshmen at BMHS,  a Catholic High School in Albany. Their families are Christians, which is why they had to flee for their lives.

Their teachers say they are outstanding students and inseparable.

Ler, on the left, was in a refugee camp for one year, Gayler for four. All either one says about the camps are that they were able to be with their friends.

I talked to them as part of my series on the kids at this school and to record some of the students so incredible journeys and their stoicism, faith, and generosity of spirit. They are an inspiration to me.

The troubles in Myanmar – the army seized power recently and is again persecuting Christians and others, killing and raping some and destroying their homes, and chasing them through the jungle as they flee – are on their minds; they just shake their heads in sadness.

The news out of Myanmar is painful for them; the trouble sparked a diaspora for their people, who are now scattered all over the United States and the rest of the world.

The Christian faith in former Burma traces back to missionaries who came to the country in the early 1800s. The trust has grown in Myanmar, at least until recently, despite savage persecution by the government and the Buddhist majority.

The Karen Christian communities in the U.S. gather regularly all over the country for dances, songs, and cooking in their native clothes to keep their culture alive.

Ler and Gayler still have family in Myanmar but are reluctant to contact them because the military tracks cell calls from America and arrests or kills people who receive the calls.

Sometimes, they can connect with their families on Facebook or follow their posts there. “We stay in touch,” says Gayler, who now has relatives in Myanmar, Thailand, Australia, Canada, and Tennessee.

Ler is an artist (below is her latest drawing work), Galyer’s passion is music, both intend to go to college and are excellent students, say their teachers. They work very hard.

The Myanmar students do not complain or show any anger and bitterness for the disruption of their lives. They adapt quickly and easily to American culture, especially music, and their teachers say they are hard-working and diligent students; there is a deep culture and tradition of learning, which parents consider a sacred opportunity.

Both girls are shy and modest, not at ease talking about themselves, but happy to be interviewed. When I asked to take a photo, I saw their connection, and they put their heads together most sweetly and naturally.

Although their stories are remarkable, they don’t consider their lives extraordinary. “I don’t think about it too much,” says Ler, ” we are happy here and fortunate to be here.” They both say the school feels safe and supportive to them. They both live playing video games after school before taking on their homework. They are into K-Pop bands and music.

I asked each of them if we could give them something that would enhance their culture or schoolwork. Ler asked for a box of watercolor brush markers, and Gayler said she’d like some sci-fi fantasy books.

Both are on their way to the school. The resilience and forward-thinking nature of these kids are always a surprise to me. They’ve all grown up with tragedy and challenge; it is not a shock to them or even a drama worthy of talking about too much.

I’m sure their feelings about their remarkable journeys are deep and present, but they don’t wish their troubles to define them. I hear this again and again.

Yesterday,  Turell, an upper-classman, came up to me and said he would be happy to be interviewed. I’ve talked to him several times at the school and noticed the coloration on his face.

Next Week: I understand he would like to talk about that, among other things. The other students have been very supportive, and he has never once been uncomfortable at Bishop MagainnI’m excited to be talking to him. I’m going to meet him next Tuesday at the school.