Warning: Thanksgiving Joy Ahead!

Our time here has been anything but predictable. We come with plans and projects, but God often surprises us with new opportunities to serve. One of those beautiful interruptions came when Earth Mission was asked to lead a training for Karen pastors and volunteers on Maternal and Child Health.

A Divine Chain of Connections

This invitation came through our finance director, Dao, who previously worked with the incredible team at Compassion Thailand. They wanted to better equip local churches in Karen State, Myanmar, to teach women in their villages about prenatal care, nutrition, and children’s health.

And as God would orchestrate, the pieces started falling into place.

We had Dr. Jo, a pediatrician from Scotland who had served with Earth Mission years ago and was back visiting with her family. Between her expertise and mine, we had the content covered.

But… we hit a language wall. The group only spoke Karen.

Then—another divine provision!—we had a visiting couple from the U.S., Tyler and Kpor. Tyler was our first Education Coordinator when Earth Mission began its PA program, and Kpor, his wife, is a nurse… and Karen! Suddenly, our “impossible” language gap turned into perfect translation. Within days, we had everything we needed to make this training happen.

When Word Spreads, So Does Hope

Originally, we expected 12 participants. But once word got out, that number nearly doubled. Twenty-two people traveled from deep inside Myanmar. Some spending a full day crossing the border and others daily navigating motorcycles and boats to return home. Their commitment humbled us.

Teaching and Equipping

We gathered in Mae Sariang, about 3½ hours south of Chiang Mai, to make their journey a bit shorter. It was a long few days, but overflowing with purpose and joy. In the morning, I taught for several hours on prenatal care, normal fetal development, danger signs in pregnancy, and nutrition. We used a community health curriculum created by another former volunteer, Dr. Lesley from Northern Ireland; a PhD at Ulster University who spent four years developing a maternal health program for conflict areas. Earlier this year, she trained several of us to teach it. The program includes beautiful handouts in Karen, filled with illustrations for low-literacy communities. Each pastor and volunteer received copies to take home and use in their villages.

The afternoon focused on common childhood illnesses, vaccinations, and even practical training on how to make Oral Re-hydration Solution (ORS) using salt and sugar, which is an essential tool in preventing child deaths from dehydration due to diarrhea. Since few have measuring cups, we practiced by taste: “It should be as salty as tears.”

The Beauty of Generosity

Between sessions, many of the women crocheted or worked on bead crafts. At the end of the day, two participants gifted Dr. Jo and me with beautiful beaded necklaces...tokens of their gratitude, given out of the little they had. Their generosity never ceases to move me.

Multiplying the Mission

My dream is to continue these trainings, but next time, to have our students leading them. They can teach in their own language, in their own communities, and multiply this knowledge much faster than we ever could. One young woman told me, “I can’t wait to go home and share this with my village.” That’s the kind of joy that keeps us going.

Perfectly Planned

None of this was coincidence. Every connection...Dao, Compassion Thailand, Dr. Jo, Tyler and Kpor, Dr. Lesley...was part of a story God began writing long ago. What looked like chance was, in truth, perfectly planned by our Creator.

Remember the Forgotten

Thank you for continuing to pray for the Karen people. To much of the world, they’re invisible. To their own government, they’re seen as a problem to eliminate. But to us, they are our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Thank you for loving them, supporting them, and making these moments of hope and healing possible.

-Jeanne