March 25 Earthquake

RECOVERY PROGRAM: The exciting news is THREE new cases have joined the recovery program full time! 

** "Hank" started March 10th; and "Garand" and "Ink" started one week later. Hank is from Laos, while the other two are Thai. The other students have embraced them quickly, helping the three new ones feel safe and adjust to a new daily routine. Please pray for Hank, Garand and Ink as they all settle in, need to feel safe and trust us. 

There's been two other emergency cases: A previous student had a bad fall, which caused a health flare-up but also revealed more serious issues; where he was hospitalized for a few weeks. He is recovering now but we are unsure if he will lose his job due to the long amount of work missed. Please pray for "Edd."

OUTREACH: Another new contact was referred to us and this sex worker has multiple health issues, needing urgent and intensive care to even pull through the next few weeks. (THANK YOU to those who gave specifically for this one's care, and happy to report "Jazz" has stabilized and improving.) Please pray for "Jazz" health and healing. 

The DtonNaam team continued outreach in the red lights, and hosted two teams (YWAM & another friend's team) to come, learn, grow... 

We’ve also been connected with two African cases from different countries, that both have major health issues and also security/safety issues in staying in Bangkok, but probably worse safety risks if returning to their home countries.

The big earthquake was very scary in Bangkok; as we were fleeing our building together; one of our newest students had a bad panic attack. The high rise building behind our location was swaying and the pool on the roof was gushing water down the sides, looking like the building would smash down on ours. And the aftershocks caused a "run" and another scare at the park where we had gathered. The team did great keeping track and helping our students. The aftershocks delayed so much traffic and chaos for the students and staff trying to return home. But, our team and students are all safe and doing well. And, our building didn't have any major damage.

Two of our Burmese students (and previous students) were from that region where the earthquake caused the most damage within Myanmar. It took time to reach their family and relatives, but again, thankfully, no lives they knew were lost. An added heartbreak and trauma is that the corrupt militia did an airstrike and bombed the damaged area within an hour of the earthquake (in Myanmar) So, many lives were lost- both to the earthquake but possibly more lives from the bombing. It's actually really awful and it seems the news isn't actually being spread to the world. There continues to be numerous aftershocks and other earthquakes still- another 5.2 hit Mandalay area on May 17th (If you want to give directly to solid people & orgs in this hard hit region/disaster- ask, and we will send you a few reputable options)  Thankfully, we were able to have a trauma specialist (In EMDR too) join us the Monday following the earthquake, spending time with our students and staff. 

** Student's names are always changed for their safety