From the Field - Aug 24
A Karen Song
“I beseech You on behalf of my country, pleading for the end of evil, against the rejection of Your love, and for the end of unrighteousness.
I beseech You for the downfall of the oppressive regime, and I believe that Myanmar will be blessed.
I have faith that superstition will fade away, as I humbly turn back to You."
This song (translated from Karen to English) was the fervent appeal of our staff and students during a recent campus-wide day of fasting and prayer. Please pray with them for the healing, peace, and blessing of their families, communities, and country.
Here's an update of what has been going on lately:
Physician Associate Program
Year 1 students are learning critical thinking, critical reading, anatomy, basic math, English, and medical terminology.
Year 2 students are studying chest pain, dyspnea, joint pain, pharmacology, critical reading, and computers.
Year 3 students are taking classes in imaging, normal delivery, and heavy menstrual bleeding, and have completed their labor exams.
Year 4 students are studying normal delivery, heavy menstrual bleeding, abnormal labor, and computers. They have completed their labor exams, and are participating in patient case discussions every Friday.
Surgical PAs (our graduated PAs in the postgraduate Surgical Training program) are in class 4 times per week, on top of their regular medical roles at RTC and the Frontline Mobile Clinic.
Engineering Tech Program
Year 1 students are learning electrical concepts and putting it to practice by wiring the engineering store. They have also learned how to change tires, brake shoes, and brake pads on trucks.
Year 2 students practiced vehicle repair skills alongside their mechanic teacher by conducting a full maintenance check on a truck. They are also learning to use AutoCAD drawing software for building design, construction, and project management.
Frontline Mobile Clinic
From mid-July to early August, the frontline team saw 90 trauma patients (47 outpatient and 43 inpatient), 21 of which required surgery. Multiple battles have taken place over the past several weeks. Since June, they have treated 672 outpatients—meaning this small band of heroes treated almost as many outpatients as the RTC staff in the same timeframe. Now, they are staying in the field longer than anticipated because of difficult travel conditions. Though the fighting has slowed, trauma patients are still arriving every day. Pray for the frontline team’s endurance and safety.
Rain Tree Hospital Campus
In July, we had 337 OPD patients, 48 IPD patients, 16 surgical cases, 4 deliveries, and 1 referral. Please pray for healing and hope for these patients.
For three long weeks last month, it was raining day and night. We are starting to see a little bit of sun, but the rains continue. This weather is making it difficult for patients to travel to us. Please pray for relief from the rains so that patients can safely get the care they need.
During rainy season, extreme wet situations make for rough journeys. To transport supplies, every trip one motorcycle makes could consume up to four sets of brake pads. When rivers are low enough for trucks to cross, many parts are broken or must be replaced. Please pray for stamina for our engineering and logistics crews as they faithfully work for the sake of their people.
The engineers recently completed a temporary connection of the large generator (20kW) to the solar system on the medical side of the hospital campus. They hope to test and commission this wiring system in the coming days. We will need to raise funds for a permanent wiring system to be installed for both solar systems in 2025. This will be a critical component to the longevity of our electrical supply. Please pray for the resources to accomplish this.
Earth Mission Asia Foundation
In June and July, our Community Programs staff surveyed the needs of communities in Chiang Mai, Mae Sariang and surrounding areas. For several Karen schools and dormitories, EMAF provided dry food (rice, noodles, oil, eggs), school uniforms, and sports equipment. We donated roof tiles to villagers who had lost their roofs due to a severe storm and gave gift bags of dry food with rice, noodles and snacks for 20 elderly and disabled people. We are thankful that God has given us these opportunities to meet needs in the community.
