We Do Not Give Up
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
1 Corinthians 15:58
"I headed to the In-Patient Department (IPD) to interview one of the patients. I quickly ran to the shelter of the building, because the sun was scorching hot! Slowing to a tiptoe, I noticed that patients were resting. When I found the patient I hoped to interview, he was sleeping soundly. I headed back outside to sit and wait on a bench in the shade. With delight, I felt a refreshing breeze blow over me.
I noticed a little girl, around ten years old, sitting on the other end of the bench. I remembered her. Most patients came and went, but she had been admitted to IPD when I first arrived here at the Rain Tree Clinic almost a month ago. I did not know what her diagnosis was, but I did know that she had been here a long time.
She was looking off into the jungle, lost in thought and unaware of her surroundings. She seemed to be enjoying the breeze with me. I could see her little pale smile bloom across her face each time the mild wind blew over us. With my hands at my computer keyboard, I was enjoying watching her tired face catch those precious smiles as much as she was enjoying the breeze. Those beautiful smiles had the power to bring smiles to my face too.
She seemed to sense that someone was looking at her and turned her head in my direction. Our eyes met. I gave her a smile to return what she had unknowingly given me. She smiled back at me, this time with shyness behind her smile. I recognized her smile as the same one every young or old Karen person will wear when meeting someone new.
Offering her another smile, I asked, “Where is your mom?” I was sure that her mom would be with her during her admission to the clinic for such a long period.
“She is not here,” she answered shyly. “Oh! Where is she?” I asked. “My mom is at home to look after my younger siblings. My father is here with me.”
I continued, “How old are you?” She considered my question, her eyes moving around, and then quietly responded, “I don’t know.”
I was surprised. It was not a difficult question for a child around her age to answer. I asked another question, “What grade are you in?” She paused for a moment, then answered, “I don’t know.”
My heart hurt. Being at a clinic for a month was not where this little girl was supposed to be. She should be at school, studying, learning, and playing with her friends. Ten-year-old children are active, absorbing new experiences and information.
I know there are many kids in the jungle who cannot afford to go to school. Fighting to survive disease, likely from growing up with poor nutrition, is something this little girl should never need to face. The lack of easy access to basic healthcare to equip against diseases for children like her breaks my heart even more.
I asked myself, "What can I do to help children, even just one child like her, live healthy lives and go to school happily?'' I can share this little girl's story and pray that each person who reads it will do something in their own way to help children like her."
- Bway, EMA Communications Assistant
The situation is dire. Being displaced by the civil war, the majority of children living in the jungles of Myanmar suffer from malnutrition and illness. Parents struggle to provide food, shelter, and safe drinking water for their children. Treatable illnesses like pneumonia, malaria and diarrhea cause almost half of the childhood deaths in these regions. Little ones like Bway's new friend are robbed of their health, education, and childhood innocence.
The war still rages on. Yet, light pierces through the darkness.
Every day, EMA's PA students and staff lay down their personal safety to restore life to their people. Their only desire is to spend each day being the hands and feet of Jesus. Therefore, God is using their unwavering sacrifices to transform hopelessness into a harvest. They are changing the future of their people, one life at a time. We see a day coming where the rising generation of Karen, having been strengthened by their suffering, will use the sacrificial love experienced at the hands of EMA's PA students to heal their wounded nation.
This is all made possible because of your sacrificial giving, prayers, and obedience to the Lord. Because of you, we do not give up.
Thank YOU for providing Health for the Hidden!
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." - Galatians 6:9
EMA STUDENTS
EMA Year 2 Physician Assistant students sharpened their skills to carry injured patients through thick jungles, swift waterways, and mountainous roads.
RTC is the only source of medical care for the thousands of Karen people displaced to the jungles by the ongoing conflict. Patients with the strength to walk have to make the 1 - 3 day trek to reach the clinic. Those without the strength are carried by family and friends, making the journey even more long and treacherous.
Serving in the remote jungle regions of Myanmar, it is essential that EMA's PA students can quickly execute this protocol. Once rainy season hits, mountain roadways are wiped out. When patients need to be transferred to other medical facilities for critical surgeries, EMA's PA students are equipped to quickly and safely blaze their own trail through the jungle, knowing that every moment counts.
Year 5 PA students took their Lab lecture to a new setting. The class needed a quiet place to focus and learn. Their solution? They built their own classroom alongside the river. At EMA, we call this a critical and forward thinking approach!
These PA students being agile and building their own classroom is just one of many expressions of their unwavering commitment to help their people. EMA's students have a thirst to learn. They daily demonstrate an unmatched work ethic, resourcefulness, gentleness, and courage to preserve lives in unthinkable conditions.
We are proud of these young leaders who are forging a better future for their people—for little ones like Bway's new friend.
BIG PICTURE
"The last two years have tested our organization, our program, our staff, and students. Although at times extremely stressful, we have found that we can adapt and change strategies quickly and well to maintain our mission and vision. At this point in time, against all odds, we find ourselves thriving in a way we could only have dreamed and making significant positive long-term impact on the health of people in Burma. Our strength as a body of people with the same goals has been to discover and courageously embrace what God is arranging. We believe that puts us in a right relationship with our creator, helps give meaning to our lives and strengthens the Kingdom of God… no matter what the external outcome looks like. We are co-builders of God’s Kingdom working with bricks of love and the mortar of faith… building something that will never end. That’s an investment worth making."
- Dr. Mitch Ryan, EMA Program Director
