Naw Gay’s Story
December 19, 2025
She had an appointment on December 16th with the plastic surgeon. He gave us two primary options for her lips and 3 options for her nose. Each option has different challenges and risks. Please pray for wisdom in making the best decision for her long-term health.
December 7, 2025
We were able to get Naw Gay a wig and she really enjoys it. She wears it every time she goes out now. The first thing she said was, "I feel confident!" and laughed. We took her to our Thai Karen church where she had the opportunity to share. She carried herself very well, knows how to share well and even had people laughing as she joked about the differences in Thai Karen and Burma Karen language. Everyone was so good to her.
We took her to the dentist at the hospital because her teeth have become crooked since her injury. They said that her teeth shouldn’t move any more than they have now. The doctor also said they are interested and willing to help make her a prosthetic nose and ear. The plastic doctor said there was a dentist at the hospital that could do it, so we look forward to that. Her nose is a big concern for her.
November 18, 2025
We took Naw Gay for a follow-up after her mouth and eyelid surgery last month. Now her mouth can open well but it still cannot close. And because her mouth opens wider than before and cannot close, food and water falls out of her mouth easier when she eats. So, it's easier to get food into her mouth now, but it's also easier to fall out. We asked if they could make it so she can close her mouth as there is risk to her teeth long-term if she cannot close her mouth. He said they would discuss in their team what to do. The second skin graft on her left eye helped it close better but it still cannot close all the way, maybe 95%, but he said with the bells reflex it should be okay long term.
We discussed with Naw Gay’s doctor doing reconstruction on her nose and left ear. He said she doesn't have enough usable skin elsewhere to harvest, so prosthetics are the best option. Naw Gay agreed with this also. This will be after they decide what to do about her mouth. He said they would see where she was in a month at her follow up and go from there. In the meantime, Naw Gay had more appointments with the orthopedic and rehab doctor to get her prosthetic arm fitted. Things seemed to be moving forward slowly but surely.
November 12, 2025
We ordered a functional prosthetic hand from Germany on Monday. It happened that they had one in Thailand and it arrived today. We will take Naw Gay on Monday to start having it fitted. She's excited to get it.
November 2, 2025
Naw Gay was in good spirits and said she was no longer in any pain. We were able to get her moved to a porridge diet as opposed to only liquids. She was really hungry. This morning when we went into the room she was reading her Bible and we just thought what a saint. She really is a light.
October 31, 2025
Thankfully, there was no infection and the stitches were taken out a few days later. This latest surgery was just for functional improvements, and at that point, the next steps for Naw Gay weren’t clear. However, we did ask them to do more surgery so she could close her mouth completely and for more details on the status of her left cornea. We also inquired about the possibility of getting her a prosthetic nose, ear and arm. Naw Gay’s situation is challenging. We are not sure what can be further done cosmetically, and the doctors have been careful not to make promises.
October 29, 2025
At the end of October, Naw Gay was admitted for her second round of surgery at Suan Dok Hospital where she had surgery on her mouth and left eyelid. The focus of the surgery on her mouth was to help her be able to open and close it better. And the surgery for her left eyelid was to improve upon her first eye surgery because her eye still wasn’t closing completely.
When we visited Naw Gay the day after her surgery, she was really sore, in pain and tired. The doctors had cut the corners of her mouth to widen it, and they also did another skin graft on her left eyelid to improve its closing. The nurse told us everything went well but we hadn’t seen Naw Gay so swollen and as tired as we did that day.
September 17, 2025
This is a letter from Naw Gay, written to thank everyone who has contributed to her story. Together, we have now crossed the $150,000 mark.
When we first launched this campaign after Naw Gay’s horrific burns, we reached out to burn specialists in Singapore. After hearing her case, they assured us they would do everything possible to minimize costs, but still estimated the total at “low five or six figures.” They then helped connect us with leading specialists in Thailand where Naw Gay is now being treated. BTW, her next scheduled surgery is on her mouth on 26 Oct. However, because we have reached the estimated costs, we will close this campaign for Naw Gay for now.
As you’ll see in her letter, Naw Gay is a remarkable person. In a single moment, her entire life was changed. And still, she can write words filled with gratitude. Hemingway once wrote in The Old Man and the Sea that “courage is grace under pressure.” By that definition, Naw Gay is courage itself. Yet she is also human, and there will be days of strength and days of struggle. So while the campaign is now closed, please continue to pray for her.
We will share milestones and updates here. For now, read her words. Be thankful. Be humble. And let her courage inspire you to face this world and its troubles with a hope and a grace that runs deeper still.
Dr. Mitch Ryan
Senior Program Director
August 1, 2025
Thank you for praying for Naw Gay. She has been at Suan Dok Hospital in Chiang Mai, Thailand for a month now. When she was admitted she still had infections in her wounds and was under-nourished weighing only 77 pounds (35 kilograms). So before the hospital could do anything they needed to get her healthier. Now she has gained almost ten pounds and doesn't have any infections. The hospital staff has been great and she is allowed visitors every day and is in good spirits. We enjoy bringing her ice cream and treats that she likes. We gave her an audio Bible and she enjoys listening to that. Last week, they were able to do surgery on her left eyelid so she can close her eyelids. Thankfully, the skin grafts took and there is no infection. Great news. She will be scheduled to do the right eye next, then after that they will work on her mouth. She can only open her mouth about one centimeter because of scar tissue. Then after that they will work on her nose and other cosmetic surgery as much as possible.
Please pray especially for Naw Gay's vision. She is concerned about it as her left eye is especially bad and her right eye is only about 50%. Unfortunately, the eye doctor gave us some bad news earlier this week that Naw Gay’s vision will not improve because her cornea is damaged. The only way to help is to have a cornea transplant. Suan Dok Hospital can’t perform this operation, but another hospital can. Her current eye doctor said that Naw Gay can have the cornea transplant after all of her other surgeries are completed.
Please keep praying for her, this is a long, long road.
Thank you and God bless you,
Matt Blauer
June 27, 2025
Yesterday Naw Gay was admitted to Suan Dok hospital, the best hospital in northern Thailand. The doctors and nurses in the burn ward were exceptional. Both professional and friendly. The doctor said Naw Gay needs better nutrition and still has issues with infection, so it could be two weeks or more before she’s strong enough for surgery.
There are 7 teams of doctors that will care for her, plastics, eye, nutrition, rehab, pain, ENT and psychiatry. We met several of them and they were all very kind to Naw Gay. The psychiatrist asked Naw Gay how she felt, she said Thailand is peaceful and she doesn’t have any worries and there is everything she needs. The psychiatrist asked if she has nightmares, she said she can’t have nightmares because she can’t sleep! Naw Gay is surprisingly lively and can laugh. Her only concern was about not being able to sleep because she cannot close her eyes. The eye doctor was also concerned about her eyes, her left eye especially has some issues with scarring. She said she would apply a special cream and patches to block light so she can sleep and to protect them.
Today, Naw Gay said she was able to sleep well last night for the first time. Her eyes will be the first thing addressed when she is ready for surgery. The pain doctor asked about her level of pain, she said it's 5 out of 10. She has constant pain where her arm was amputated, on her shoulder and her head. These are the areas burnt the worst by the firebomb. We were there from 8 till 5 admitting her but it was worth every minute and we finally feel peace about where she’s getting cared for.
When I met Naw Gay the first time I felt a strong commitment to be her friend and help any way I could. I have seen that same commitment in everyone that meets her. Naw Gay is special and her character shines through the wounds. Yes, she is wounded beyond belief, but Naw Gay is more than her body. Yesterday as I was pushing her around the busy halls of the hospital I thought that even though her flesh is burned, her spirit is strong and her internal organs are healthy. Things could be worse. There is always something to be thankful for. God is her strength and ours too.
Please keep Naw Gay in your prayers, she has a lot more ahead.
With thanks,
Matt Blauer
10 June UPDATE
A top teaching hospital in Chiang Mai, Thailand has agreed to take Naw Gay’s case! They estimate treatment could take up to a year, but seemed confident they can manage it well. We’ve brought many patients to this hospital over the years and I’ve always been impressed with their quality of care.
The initial focus will be on repairing Naw Gay’s eyelids to preserve her vision. This will be followed by work on her mouth so she can begin eating again. After that, they’ll shift toward appearance and rehabilitation. It will be a long process with multiple surgeries, but they’ve asked for her to be admitted at the end of the month. We have the necessary travel documents ready.
We received an incredible response to the initial fundraising campaign — over 400 new donors helped us reach the $50,000 needed to begin treatment. In Thailand, hospitals often want confirmation of funds before agreeing to take on a case, so this support made all the difference.
That said, with a year of treatment ahead — including multiple procedures and extensive rehab — we expect costs could go well beyond our original estimate. So we’ll continue seeking additional funding. We’ve reached out to some other groups and are encouraging others who are still raising support for Naw Gay to keep going as well.
The bottom line: we now have a real way forward. Naw Gay has a strong will to live. Our team where she’s currently staying, reports the following:(slightly edited for clarity)
Thank God for His mercy. Here are the latest clips (and pics) from our visit this morning . Naw Gay is able to do more for herself than last week. She laughs when we make a joke. It’s God’s blessing that she has not given up. She still struggles. But she is strong in faith. And getting stronger both physically and spiritually.
7 June UPDATE
We can't express the depth of our gratitude to all of you who have given to Naw Gay's recovery. Thank you for stepping into her story — because of you, we've met the estimated costs of her initial treatment.
Any funds beyond this will go directly toward her long-term rehabilitation and ongoing care. This is often the hardest part to fund.
We invite you to continue giving. This next stage is just as vital.
Again, those of you who have given are now part of this story already. Stay tuned for updates.
5 June
Naw Gay is a 26-year-old community healthcare worker who served in the conflict zones of Burma. On March 8, she was hiding in a trench with two friends during an airstrike near active fighting in Northern Karen State. A firebomb struck their position. Her two friends were killed. Naw Gay survived—but with devastating injuries.
She suffered severe burns to her face, head, arms, and legs. It took five days—and the coordination of several organizations—to get her from the jungle to a hospital in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Over the next ten weeks, she underwent multiple surgeries and skin grafts. Some of those grafts failed. She still cannot close her eyelids or her mouth which will have serious implications until addressed. She still cannot eat or walk on her own. The hospital in Chiang Mai has done all it can. She has been transferred to Mae Sariang and our team is visiting her every day. Her care now requires advanced reconstructive surgery and long-term rehabilitation.
This morning, June 5, a team of plastic surgeons in Singapore reviewed her case. They are willing to take her on, and are working to minimize their own fees as much as possible. One of the doctors believes they can help her get immigration clearance to enter Singapore on humanitarian grounds. But getting her there—and covering even the reduced costs—is still a significant challenge. The estimated cost is $50,000 USD. We are also pursuing secondary options here in Thailand, in case we’re unable to get her to Singapore.
Naw Gay is one of us—a healthcare worker injured while serving others in Burma. If someone asked me, “Who is your neighbor—the one you’re called to love as yourself?” I would have to include Naw Gay. She has walked our same path. Her need is undeniable.
In seconds, her life was shattered by fire. Though she cannot speak because of the tracheostomy, her clear, quiet eyes—peering out from behind a thick mask of bandages—communicate well enough: “Help me live.” With a gentle nod, she agreed to let us share her story and the photos that accompany it.
We’ll be reaching out to everyone we can—friends, organizations, anyone who might help us stand with Naw Gay in this struggle.
How do you define a neighbor? If I’ve read Jesus right… when love demands a response—that’s when a neighbor is born.
Luke 10:25-37
On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live. …. A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers …. ”
