Leading with Love
Let all that you do be done in love."
- 1 Corinthians 16:14
When I was young, my grandfather was hospitalized with a perforation of the stomach. He underwent surgery. Medicine and hospital fees were too expensive. The medical staff were not pleasant. When they were dressing my grandfather's wounds, I would cry because it was distressing to watch. It was difficult to witness the pain, and it seemed like the medics didn't care.
That's when I realized I wanted to be a medical worker when I grew up. I would be kind and respectful to patients who rely on me in their pain and suffering.
My name is Naw Hser. I'm from a village in Karen State, Myanmar. After completing a Community Health Worker training course and practicing medicine at a clinic in the remote Karen area, I joined Earth Mission’s PA program. I confess that being a medical student has been difficult for me. It can be challenging to balance studying, practicing medicine, resolving patient problems, obligations, routines, and personal chores. There were times when I considered quitting, but I'm glad I didn't. This program is the highest-quality medical training program in Karen state, with an intensive curriculum taught by experienced surgeons and physicians, as well as various types of medicine and equipment for students to study and practice while treating patients. I recommend any young Karen who wants to learn medical skills to help their people attend the Earth Mission program.
Many individuals require medical attention, especially in difficult situations in our country. Traveling to cities for better medical care is restricted and dangerous. As a result, numerous patients seek treatment at the Rain Tree Clinic Hospital. Despite the difficulties of my school life, I discovered that studying for this degree was the best decision I could have made.
I am especially interested in cases like cancer, emergencies, and trauma since those are life-saving situations in which we must be proficient. More cancer patients are coming to our clinic for treatment. Cancer sounds dreadful, but it's treatable if patients come to the clinic early. I am grateful to Earth Mission for providing patients in remote Karen areas with the possibility of hope for healing through medical care.
On behalf of all PA students, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the donors and leaders who make our dream of providing medical care to our people a reality. We shall gladly and lovingly serve people with everything we have learned from this program.
Naw Hser
Physician Associate
Class of 2023
February Updates
We have come to believe that God wants us to live in the tension—the tension between the world’s challenges and faith in Him. February was fraught with tension—high stress from increased military aggression and pushing through vital building projects before rainy season strikes, but great hope from accepting 19 new students who are determined to help their people.
God’s faithful care has been obvious through it all. We depend on His direction and your prayers.
TRAD & THE FRONTLINES
On February 10, the SAC military government launched a forced conscription military service on all men age 18-35 and women age 18-27. This news has brought great distress on the people of Myanmar. Please keep praying for peace and justice.
Our TRAD clinic staff have moved 3 times since the middle of December due to multiple airstrikes from the Burma army. They set up a small clinic at each place to take care of the wounded and people who just need medical care. The decision was made last week to move all TRAD staff and their families to RTC for the time being. This is their 4th move. They will be safer, can rest, and make next plans... but it is still difficult as they have left their homes and way of life. Please pray for them.
Pray for the people who are trying to find medical care in the conflict area.
We are forming a mobile surgical unit with a skeleton crew of staff to continue providing care closer to the front lines. Our surgical medical staff will rotate. Pray for them and all whom they help.
EDUCATION PROGRAMS
In the midst of everything, our education team interviewed 35 candidates and selected 19 for this year’s new class (13 PAs and 6 Engineer Techs). They have started “boot camp” and will begin classes on April 1. Even when the chaos is exhausting, we like to remember that for medical and engineering students it is also an opportunity—so many people need their help and each one is valuable to our healthcare system and to their Kawthoolei. Pray for them!
Year 2 PA students are in class, while other PA classes are doing rounds alongside doctors in the IPD. Please pray for stamina as they learn and serve.
With 6 new Year 1 students, this is the largest E-Tech class that we have had. The engineering training program continues to grow by necessity. Our engineering staff are struggling to keep up as they rush to finish projects before the rains come in June. Immediately after the interviews, we put the new students to work in the engineering shop.
We are currently preparing a presentation about the engineering training program for the annual KDHW meetings. Please pray for favor as we build trust locally to promote the program.
RAIN TREE CLINIC HOSPITAL CAMPUS
Our partner Stronghold Rescue and Relief is in charge of the ambulance service bringing patients to RTC. They recently purchased a large 6-wheeled truck that is now being modified for jungle roads, and we are sharing the use and fuel costs. This will lower the cost of transportation and the wear on other trucks.
The outpatient department is busy with patients. People continue to come from many hours to days away to receive medical help.
Our engineering staff and students are busy installing the roof on the new Engineering Shop building provided by the One Day’s Wages foundation. The recessed, blast-resistant safe room is finished, as is the slab. The project will be finished in time to host a training with a traveling diesel mechanic!
Chiang Mai engineering staff are busy buying components to upgrade the main RTC campus’ solar system. Onsite fabrication will begin in April. Garrick is heading up the work, with the help of staff and Year 2 engineer students. This installation of the solar system on the main campus will result in a lot less diesel use. Minimizing diesel use has many benefits because the transportation of diesel is very expensive. Because the Junta has been known to bomb diesel tanks, we bury diesel tanks at RTC.
A very large generator is being transported from Thailand. It is sufficient to charge our batteries in rainy season when the sun doesn't shine enough. We have never transported anything this heavy—it’s almost 2,000 lbs. Our mechanics dismantled it to where the weight of each item is possible to carry from one vehicle to another over rough terrain. Pray for its safe arrival and installation.
EMAF CHIANG MAI & MAE SARIANG
Our Thai foundation community programs donated several hundred mushroom logs to more than 6 groups in Chiang Mai, and over 100 to 2 schools and a church in Mae Sariang. This provides an easy way to grow mushrooms, providing food. We also distributed dry food (rice, oil, eggs, noodles) to a local migrant school.
Our CM finance staff is going through our yearly financial audit. We are thankful for their good record-keeping!
Pray for the E-Tech department as another staff person is needed to help teach in Mae Sariang.
Our Admin and HR training happened last week in Mae Sariang. Two TRAD senior staff, 3 RTC finance and admin staff, and 6 CM finance and logistic staff all traveled to attend. Our TRAD staff had not been able to leave Myanmar in 4 years due to COVID and the coup.
Pray for good collaboration in the midst of such movement and restructure of staff—how to be sure people know their roles and can work well together. Our organizational chart keeps getting rearranged!
God continues to give wisdom, direction, and peace. We are thankful.
