From the Field
"I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds."
PSALM 9:1 (NIV)
The Psalms repeatedly include praise and lament. In this newsletter, please rejoice and lament with us as we trust in the God who sees and provides.
Another Wedding!
On February 22, some of Earth Mission’s own said “I do!” Lah Poe (2021 E-Tech Graduate and Engineering Technician & Electrical Specialist) and Paw K’Bru (2023 PA Graduate and Patient Care Leader Assistant) were married at RTC campus. Despite the shadow of war, it was a day of beauty, joy, and hope for the future. Please pray for their new life together as they reflect the love of Christ through their marriage.
Meet the New Students
We’re thrilled to share the results of this year’s student selection process! Every year, we see growing interest from candidates eager to contribute to the development of healthcare in remote Karen areas. This year, we received over 70 applications for our education programs. The selection process considered factors such as educational background, medical knowledge, the reliability of applicants' leaders, honesty, motivation, and the ability to communicate with English-speaking instructors.
We selected 13 students for the PA program and 7 for the E-Tech program. Please pray for them! Now, they must pass a rigorous 4 weeks of boot camp training to test their dedication and determination before they can be fully accepted into the program
The Future Has Arrived
Because of your prayer and support, Earth Mission has become one of the most prestigious educational opportunities in Karen State! There are so many highly-qualified applicants eager to transform their country. We receive 70-100 applications per year—but only have room to accept 20-30%.
If you haven’t sponsored a student yet, would you prayerfully consider doing so with your church, business, small group, or family?
For the first time since 2020 (no 2024 graduates due to the pandemic and military coup), we have a full lineup of 5 Physician Associate and 3 Engineering Tech cohorts for a total of 77 students—our largest enrollment in program history!
Our goal is to graduate 75 PAs and 20 E-Techs by 2030. These are the very students who will cross the finish line.
Today, 16% of students are sponsored—thank you! This year, we’re on a mission to fully sponsor all 77 students! From now through the end of 2025, we’re looking for 6 new sponsors each month. Your one-time gift supports a student’s entire year of education.
Sponsors come in all shapes and sizes! From individuals to families, from churches to foundations, and even crowd-funding in memory of a loved one—there are many ways to support these young men and women who are the future of their country.
Will you be one of the 6 this month?
PA PROGRAM // Visiting OBGYN & Year 5 Prep
Year 1 students continued general English classes, basic science, Karen politics and history, and Introduction to Public Health.
Year 2 students practiced history taking and physical examinations with patients in the clinic, and presenting these to doctors or PAs. They continued lectures on emergency care, critical care, newborn care, and obstetrics exams.
Year 3 students learned about GI bleeding, had obstetrics classes on fetal growth restriction and ultrasounds, and took computer classes. Year 3 students were on standby to cover the inpatient department while Year 4 students had extra classes.
In addition to their normal work in the inpatient department and with surgeries, Year 4 students learned from a visiting OBGYN doctor on obstetric history and exams. Dr. Nant Htet taught on the OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination), a performance-based exam that assesses a student's clinical skills, knowledge, and competence in preparation for their final exams as Year 5 students.
E-TECH PROGRAM // Outpatient Department Renovations
In February, E-Tech students spent time at RTC renovating the OPD (Outpatient Department). The OPD remains open during construction, requiring the students to be mindful of patients during the construction process:
Expansion of the waiting area involved concrete slab, hollow steel posts and a metal roof.
New pharmacy and x-ray room. The x-ray room is being specially built to contain the radiation. Two wythes (rows) of bricks are needed to meet country standards for x-ray rooms.
Addition of special exam rooms and a lab for people with infectious diseases.
Installation of an air conditioner in the lab to provide constant humidity. This is a first for this area. The AC will be powered by a new solar system donated for this facility.
Expanded the roof over the waiting area.
Removed windows in the Operating Room, and added steel plates for increased safety in case bombs are dropped close by.
Added an OR Light to the Operating Room.
Replaced a faulty main breaker panel in the Operating Room.
During this process, students are gaining experience in both construction skills and project management. The challenge of working in a medical facility that is open and treating patients is giving them invaluable experience.
Our E-Techs are quickly deepening their knowledge in both construction, electrical/solar, and engine repair.
MOBILE KAREN SURGICAL HOSPITAL // M*K*S*H injuries arriving
In February, the MKSH team saw 118 outpatients, took care of 32 inpatients, and performed 24 surgeries for abdominal injuries, amputations, and other injuries related to bomb blasts, mortar explosions, gunshots, and landmines.
On February 27, a battle took place nearby. MKSH took care of more than 100 patients—44 related to the battle—and performed 13 surgeries including 3 leg amputations. Four patients were referred to Thailand for advanced care.
Please pray for God’s strength and peace for our team as they address these serious injuries, and for all of the patients and villagers affected.
MAE SARIANG TRAINING CENTER // Orthopedic Trauma, Hazmat Training & More
In February, 3 doctors and 4 surgical PAs traveled from RTC to Mae Sariang for continuing education. An American orthopedic surgeon taught on orthopedic trauma, external fixation, splinting/casting, and how to use wound vacuum for traumatic injuries. Two doctors from Singapore (radiology & pediatrics) covered X-rays, ultrasound, and neonatal resuscitation. Because of the chemical bombs being used by the Burmese army, they also conducted hazmat/decontamination training. These senior medical staff enjoyed the much-needed break of learning and respite.
RTC HOSPITAL CAMPUS // The Dry Season Sprint
Now that the rainy season is over and roads are passable, RTC is experiencing an influx of patients and supplies.
In February, the RTC Hospital saw 688 outpatient visits and admitted 83 patients. Sixty-two surgeries were performed, including 8 surgeries for amputations or wound debridement of amputations. Twelve babies were born, including a set of twins!
Please pray for those losing limbs because of the war, and thank God for the joy and happiness of new life.
Operating in a jungle war zone, we have to create our own supply chain to make our education programs and medical services possible. Our teams across Chiang Mai, Mae Sariang, and RTC have been buying and shipping large quantities of supplies to get as much delivered as possible before the rainy season begins again. We are thankful for all who make this happen:
Cement was delivered last month from the west. Thank you for praying for this!
Most of the large order of dry food supplies has been shipped. This contains sardine cans, beef cans, Ma Ma noodles, dried fish, wheat and rice noodles, dry pea paste, cooking oil, and yellow beans. These ingredients are used with rice, meat, and fresh vegetables available or foraged from the jungle to feed more than 200 students, staff, and families.
Large medicine and diesel orders are on the way. Please pray for delivery before the rains, as this is a lot of boxes, barrels and weight.
The Engineering Team has been busy with:
Operating Room (OR) Modifications: Mounting a surgical lamp, adding air conditioners, and replacing glass windows with steel plates for protection from bomb blasts.
Sourcing Materials: Collecting sand, crushing of rock, and making bricks for future construction projects.
Inpatient Department (IPD) Construction: Pouring the foundations for the IPD now!
Finishing construction of the engineer house for the new couple.
Nights are chilly in the jungle. RTC staff distributed donated blankets to patients staying at the clinic.
Coming Soon to Australia
Help us spread the Earth Mission story!
From March 28 - April 15, Dr. Mitch Ryan, Caryl Ryan, and Lek Tivakorn (RTC Finance & HR Administrator) will be traveling to Australia. Sustain Projects Myanmar has invited us to join them for a special celebration tour, where Dr. Mitch will be the main speaker.
If you are in any of these areas, we would love to see you! For event details, please reach out to Caryl at caryl@earthmissionasia.org.
March 29 - 31 / Perth WA
April 2 / Sunshine Coast QLD
April 5 - 6 / Brisbane QLD
April 9 / Lismore NSW
April 12 - 14 / Sydney NSW
Please pray for new and ongoing connections in Australia.