Observations on a Mission Trip

David Dunn, one of the volunteers from New Hope Christian Church in Virginia, shared the following observations and reflections.  I think you'll find them interesting and informative.
Jon

David writes...
As some of you know, this is my first mission trip experience to a faraway place like Thailand.   It’s only taken 62 years to finally commit to doing something like this!  But who’s counting?  It certainly helped that I was able to arrange my formal retirement from General Dynamics Corporation to coincide with the departure date for this trip.  GD was very accommodating, and that made it possible for me to travel on the same New Hope Christian Church itinerary as Pastor Jon and Dan Higgins. 

I must say the opportunity to come and support the Barefoot Doctors Program has been a superb way to begin the transition from working in the Aerospace and Defense industry for more than 38 years to living life as a retiree.   Among the things my wife, Jill, and I hope to do now is to give back a portion of our time and talent to those in need.  I’m grateful to actually be on the ground lending support where I can.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention we are also expecting our first grandchild in early March, shortly after we return home.  (It’s a girl!)  The graduation timing for the 2020 Barefoot Doctors class on February 28th matches up nicely with getting us home before her anticipated arrival.  God’s timing is perfect and our whole family is excited about the new addition. 

So far, the agenda here has been full, with training and other activities going on constantly.  With three (3) meals a day and snacks in between, there’s also been a lot of really good eating occurring.  Jon of course met the students on his previous mission trip back in 2018 and knows the faculty and staff quite well after the number of years he’s been involved with the mission.  Dan and I, on the other hand, are meeting most for the first time with the exception of Timothy whom we met in Virginia a few years ago during one of his visits.  The staff, doctors and nurse trainers have been very welcoming.

 As mentioned in an earlier posting, I’ve been privileged to lead a couple of devotional times for the students following the dinner hour and will offer another this evening as well.  Timothy and Abraham are fantastic interpreters.

Dan and I finished the bench project this morning and will be engaging in other high priority maintenance projects starting tomorrow.  Jon and I played volleyball with some of the students a few days ago.  I quickly realized I’m not 25 years old anymore and therefore didn’t contribute much to my team.

It’s evident from the unity and teamwork all around the mission that God is blessing the program. Again, it’s a privilege to be here and to observe what’s going on first hand.  The training being provided exceeds my expectations a lot.   I’m confident they’ll make a huge impact (both physically and spiritually) to those they will serve back in their Burmese villages when they return next week. 

Moving Toward Graduation!

On Tuesday we started making preparations for graduation on Friday, February 28th.

The students are each receiving white vests on Friday to signify that they are Barefoot Doctors. The vests were made by women at the New Hope church in Virginia.  We had to guess on the sizes, so the students tried them on yesterday to see which vest fits each of them the best. Then the vests will be put on them during the ceremony when they receive their certificates.

On Tuesday evening, there was another sign that graduation is drawing near.  It was an exchange of gifts and good wishes between the students and Dr. Bruce Gross, Dr. Susan Parker, and Nurse Betty Reid-White.

The students presented gifts to these three instructors first.  Ningma made a beautiful presentation that was quite emotional.  The instructors were called up to receive the special gifts the students had gotten for them. 

Then these same three instructors gave their gifts to all the students.  They have been teaching them for the past three years, so they have become very close to them.  The gifts included a waterproof bag for their trips out into the field and some t-shirts and hats from Canada (where else, eh?), as well as candy and some bookmarks.

The students also presented a special gift to New Hope Christian Church for its continuing support of this ministry.  Pastor Jon Ulm was called up to receive this beautiful plaque made out of very fine stonework.

More gifts for the students will follow on Friday morning during the graduation ceremony.

Many Activities on Tuesday

A lot was going on at the Barefoot Doctors School yesterday.

The usual classes were going on in the classroom with some case presentations by some of the students and teaching by our instructors.  The instruction is leading up to the students' final examination on Thursday.  We suspect there will be some concentrated studying for that exam tonight!

Ying Sau presenting with Dr. Susan Parker

Ramona and Eddy sharing a song

The guys from Virginia were busy finishing up the new bench that will complement the bench in front of the Jones Building. It's been a challenge to work with the very hard wood we purchased at the local lumberyard, but it's coming together.

J.P. Ferraro is here on campus making a new video to tell more about the Barefoot Doctors ministry. He and Pesaram Garu (Abraham's oldest son) have been interviewing various people.  There will be both short and long versions of this video to share. We will post photos of some of these interviews later.

(Next post - moving toward graduation!)

Sunday Worship, Evening Devotions and Special Projects

A team of three guys from New Hope Christian Church have been preaching and leading devotions with the students the past three days/nights.  David Dunn and Dan Higgins accompanied Pastor Jon Ulm this year, and they are proving very helpful to the students' spiritual lives.

Pastor Jon preached in the worship service conducted by the students at the Kalnin Leadership Center on Sunday, February 23rd.  The students led the rest of the service, including several special music numbers that were simply beautiful.

Devotions are being held each night in the dining hall after supper.  David has taught the devotional message two nights now and Dan one.  The students sing a song or two and then one of the men teaches the Word of God.  It's a good way to wrap up each day, and these devotions will continue throughout this week.

David Dunn teaching

Dan Higgins teaching

David and Dan have also been building a second bench to use on the porch of the Jone's Building, the place where our classes take place.  The students will be helping to make this bench, just like an earlier class helped with the first bench several years ago.

Bench built in 2012

 There are a couple of other physical projects these men will be doing this week, and we are grateful for their help!

Medical Teaching Continues - the Last Week!

Our doctors and nurses are finishing up their final instructions for the Barefoot Doctors this week.  Teaching continues every day until Thursday when the students will take their final exam.

We are happy to still have Dr. Susan McDowell and Nurse Betty Reid-White with us.  They have been invaluable members of the staff this year again.  They are so devoted to our students.  This afternoon part of the instruction included taking blood sugar and checking blood pressure.  These services are much needed in Myanmar.

Dr. Eddy and his wife, Ramona, are here as well, as you know from the previous post.

Dr. Eddy, a dentist, practices in Burma and is especially helpful because he can teach the students directly in their own language.  He is a very good teacher and has actually been showing the students how to use the ultrasonic scaling machine with live patients.  The students have also used the scaling machine on each other.

Dentistry!

I am happy to share another bit of news from Dr. Bruce Gross.  It's also good to actually be in Thailand now, along with Dave Dunn and Dan Higgins.  (Happy Birthday, Dave!)
Jon Ulm

Dentistry

This week Dr. Eddy and his wife Ramona came to be with us to teach dentistry.  He has a dental practice in Myanmar. They both have a burden for the lost and were eager to teach in our Barefoot Doctor program again this year.

   

Dr. Eddy focused on preventative health and oral hygiene.  He instructed the students in the importance of brushing and flossing. They also learned about periodontal disease and how to treat common dental ailments.  Each student then practiced teaching about dental health to the rest of the class, just as if they were talking to their villagers.

In Myanmar, dental hygiene is not stressed as it is in America.  Many people have terrible dental health and often build up thick plaque on their teeth.  If not treated, they will lose their teeth prematurely, usually one at a time, with pain, and often with infection that spreads into other parts of their body.  

Enter, The Scaling Machine:  Eddy instructed the students in how to use an Ultrasonic Scaling machine to remove the thick plaque.  After instruction, each student practiced using the scaling machine on each other.  Upon completion of the Barefoot Doctor course each student will be able to take a scaling machine and basic dental instrument pack home with them. With this machine and their skills learned this week, they will be the most sought-after people in their villages.  And you know the heart of the barefoot doctor – they can’t separate delivery of health care from sharing their faith in Christ.  

Thank you Dr. Eddy and Ramona.

Pray that the Barefoot Doctors will find favor with the village leaders and with the villagers.  Holy Spirit, go before them to prepare the hearts of those who will hear the plan of salvation by our students.  May the villagers be receptive and hungry. 

Thank you for your prayers. 

God is Good!!

Bruce

Ying Sau, another beloved Barefoot Doctor

Dr. Bruce interviewed another one of our Barefoot Doctors, a brother named Ying Sau.

Ying Sau and Dr. Bruce Gross

Here is Ying Sau's story . . . 

Ying Sau lives only 30 minutes from the China border, high in the mountains.  He is married with 4 children.  His village has electricity but no running water, so he uses water from the stream.  He has phone service and internet (sometimes). 

He went to Bible College for 4 years and is the pastor of a church of 300 people (there are only 500 people in his village).

There is no hospital in his village.  The government has a clinic that is staffed by a nurse, but only on occasion.  The nearest hospital is in China, but most of his villagers are not allowed to go there.  

The next closest hospital is in Myitkyina, Myanmar.  If you aren’t too sick, you can go to the hospital by motorcycle and it takes 1 full day.  If you are too sick to ride a motorcycle, then it is a 2 day trip by car. 

Ying Sau told me, “There is an “evil spirit teacher” in my village who came to me seeking medical care.  I attended to his medical needs and then prayed for him.  The evil spirit teacher has never come to our church, but he has allowed all 7 of his children to attend.  Some have come to the Lord.  And, his brother and 2 sisters are also coming.  They have not become believers, yet.  We are praying for them.”

Ying Sau also relates that his interaction with the community has blossomed since he has become a Barefoot Doctor.  It has opened up many opportunities to share the gospel of Christ.

I asked him what we can pray about.  He said, “Chairs for our new church building”.

I sense that revival is in the air in his village.  Pray for God’s anointing upon Ying Sau as he preaches, for the Holy Spirit to draw the lost in his village to Himself, and for the Holy Spirit to soften the heart of the evil spirit teacher (and for chairs).

New church building

Side of new church building