From the Field
Education Updates
“Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.’”
LUKE 2:10 NKJV
Sweet December
In Myanmar, Sweet December is a very special and beloved tradition. It begins on the eve of the last day of November, when people gather to welcome and count down to December—the month of joy. On Sweet December Eve, many churches hold worship services, share the Gospel, play games, exchange gifts, celebrate together, and enjoy food. In many places, people eat hot porridge because it is simple to prepare and comforting on a cool night.
Many Christians in Myanmar say, “We feel extra joyful for no reason as we welcome the month when Jesus Christ was born.”
From December 1st to 31st, Christians throughout Myanmar celebrate Christmas on different days, depending on their region, traditions, or church schedule. The whole month becomes a season of joy, worship, evangelism, and fellowship.
This year, Rain Tree Clinic also celebrated Sweet December by sharing the Gospel. It was the very first evangelism program in our clinic, and more than 100 people came and heard the Good News—many of them for the very first time.
Opening photo: Bway shares Romans 6:23 in Burmese: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
After the evangelism program, we had a blessing drawing, gave out gifts, and enjoyed hot porridge together in the cold night. At 10 p.m., we held a countdown service, and some of us stayed until midnight to shout joyfully, “Sweet December!”
November: The Season of Sun, Weddings & Song
By Susan, Education Instructor
November began the season of sun here at RTC—generally. This year has been a bit of an aberration, though. A couple of very late season typhoons in the Pacific rolled their way across the Malay peninsula causing a seemingly endless rainy season. For the past few weeks we have been feverishly praying for a cessation of the rain so farmers can bring in their rice crops and the roads can be repaired and reopened to begin the moving of people and desperately needed goods into and out of the jungle.
November also began the season of weddings because loved ones are able to travel to join the festivities. We were blessed this month with two graduate PA weddings, Saw Sai Sai Poe and Naw Moo Hsar Paw. Saw Sai Sai Poe’s wedding was here at the RTC campus, so there was an influx of friends and relatives and an immense amount of decorating activity and food preparation. Naw Moo Hsar Paw’s wedding was in a town a few hours away by truck, so that was an exciting post-rainy season adventure for those of us who could get away from campus for a while.
Also going on is practicing for a singing competition, led by our esteemed Dr. Judson. Each of the PA classes will compete against the others in three songs—all in English. One is a group song, one is a duet, and one is a solo. I am sure that the competition is going to be amazing—the Karen are fabulous singers—but for me, the real reward has been the daily practicing by all the student groups. Many evenings I sit outside in my hanging chair at sunset listening to the music drift up the mountain. It’s a beautiful way to end each day.
Along with the sun and fun, the staff and students have begun preparations for our busy season in the hospital. The chilly nights bring an onslaught of pneumonia cases, and the dry roads bring patients with somewhat more elective types of surgeries. This is the start of the crazy time of year, but it is exactly why we are here doing what we do—training healthcare professionals to dispense high quality healthcare in remote areas, rain or shine.
Physician Associate Training
By Bway, Communication Manager
November brought a significant transition for our Year 2 and Year 3 PA students.
For the Year 3 students, the clinical environment is familiar—they have already worked in the clinic for over a year. But starting this month, they have now begun assisting in major operations to handle and pass instruments in a sterile field. Many of them feel nervous, but our medical staff and senior students have been encouraging them along the way. The surgeons have also been asked to be patient as the Year 3 students gain their first real experience in handling instruments during surgery.
For the Year 2 students, this season marks an even bigger change. They are now officially part of the rotating duty teams—day duty, night duty, operating room, and outpatient department. Previously, they only observed these rotations at the beginning of the year. Now, they experience the real responsibilities of duty work.
Here are some of their reflections from their first duty-team experience:
Naw Moo Lwel Phaw, Year 2 PA Student
“An emergency pregnant woman arrived, and our seniors were rushing back and forth, gathering medical supplies and responding to the situation. I understood that their focus was the patient—they didn’t have time to teach us at that moment because every second mattered. I didn’t know what to do. When the senior ran one way, I followed; when she ran back, I followed again. I found myself doing nothing, just feeling nervous. Still, it was exciting. That is my first duty-team experience.”
Saw Htunt Paung Klain, Year 2 PA Student
“I was on night duty. I saw one of the seniors waking up again and again throughout the night to do clinical work on her own. Every time she got up, I also woke up, watching her and wishing I could help. But she didn’t tell me what to do—maybe because it wasn’t necessary, and I also didn’t know how to help yet. Still, I’m glad I’m part of the duty team. I’m slowly learning and becoming involved in the clinical work. At first, it felt awkward, but I believe I will overcome that.”
Naw Lah Khu Wah, Year 5 PA Student
“When I look at our Year 2 juniors, they remind me of ourselves when we first joined the clinic duty team in Year 2. We didn’t know what to do, we were scared to ask questions, and we were unsure of what to hold or how to help. But now, as Year 5 senior students, we are leading the PA student teams. We teach, guide, and encourage the juniors whenever we have time in the ward.”
Engineering Tech Training
By Saw William, Engineering Technology Manager
This month, our E-Tech students worked on a meaningful and practical project: constructing a small structure as preparation for building a full Operating Theatre (OT) for RTC. With the ongoing threat of airstrikes from the Burma military, creating a safe operating space for surgeons and patients is a critical priority. The practice unit measured 12 ft × 12 ft × 11 ft, giving students hands-on experience in construction, reinforcement, moisture prevention, and concrete work.
A Note from Caryl
This is the season to be thankful and to celebrate the birth of Jesus.
Very thankful that we can continue to operate our core programs of training students in this changing and unstable environment. Currently we have 61 PA students, 15 E-tech students, and 5 in the new natural farming school and we are proud of them!
Very thankful for our RTC hospital campus and our mobile Karen surgical hospital (M*K*S*H) as our staff continue to take care of patients and to show God’s love all around. This year so far we have taken care of 6,747 patients, including 560 surgeries, and 90 babies came into the world!
Very thankful for our support offices in Mae Sariang and Chiang Mai, Thailand and Arkansas in the USA. We couldn’t do this work without all our staff who work so hard and have a heart for this ministry.
And we are thankful for all of you who pray and give in so many ways.
Thank you
Caryl Ryan, Donor Relations Director
Get Involved
As you consider your end-of-year giving, we have many ways you can help make a lasting impact on the Karen people!
Become a monthly donor
Give by personal check
Start a fundraiser
Ask your employer to match your donation
Legacy & planned-giving
Donor advised funds
Qualified Charitable Distributions
Stock & mutual fund donations
Mail a check to our address below, give online, or contact Jill Carver, Associate Executive Director, at jill@earth-mission.org to explore your giving ideas.