"For Such a Time as This"

I finished the midwifery program that I have been attending for the past three months! It has been an intense time of studying and living in community with aspiring midwives from various backgrounds. Over the past twelve weeks of study, I experienced a new depth of compassion from the heart of the Lord toward women and their newborns, particularly those who are living and giving birth in compromised situations. The World Health Organization identifies that 99% of maternal mortality occurs in the developing world and that about 4 million newborns die in the first 4 weeks of life, both primarily from preventable causes.

On that note, Mercy in Action has invited me to join them as a volunteer nurse at their birthing center in Olongapo, Philippines. I will be trained to assist in their service and outreach to the mothers and children living in poverty and extreme vulnerability. I am not certain what this will actually look like, but I have a deep sense of peace and purpose that the Lord is leading me this direction and has orchestrated this opportunity to come along side the people I have come to deeply admire, respect and love.

I was originally going to leave in January and be there for a year. However, Typhoon Yolanda has wrecked havoc in the Philippine nation, displacing millions of people including approximately 235,000 pregnant women and 130,00 nursing mothers according to the United Nations. The UNFPA reports that the disaster area is currently experiencing between 750-900 births a day, many of which are premature and occurring in make shift facilities at best. Mercy In Action has prayerfully decided to respond to the crisis in Tacloban by setting up and staffing a tent birth center to give women a safe place to birth their babies. They asked me to consider departing as soon as possible and join their team in this response.

I prayerfully considered this request and have a clear sense and anticipation that I am here for “such a time as this”. I am flying out November 30^th and plan to be there for a year, as the Lord leads. I know this is a serious and urgent need and haven’t made this decision lightly. I invite you to join me in the journey with continued prayer and support as I step forward in faith and move to the Philippines, especially on such short notice. 

I can’t express how thankful I am for your prayers, friendship and support; I would not be here or be able to move forward without you. I will be sending out updates as I can. 

This is a video capturing the essence of Mercy in Action.

Labor of Love from Join the Lights on Vimeo.

John Piper Quote - Divine Discontent

"But if the discontent with your present situation is deep, recurrent, and lasting, and if that discontent grows in Bible-saturated soil, God may be calling you to a new work. If, in your discontent, you long to be holy, to walk pleasing to the Lord, and to magnify Christ with your one, brief life, then God may indeed be loosening your roots in order to transplant you to a place and a ministry where the deep spiritual ambitions of your soul can be satisfied. It is true that God can be known and enjoyed in every vocation; but when he deploys you from one place to the next, he offers fresh and deeper drinking at the fountain of his fellowship. God seldom calls us to an easier life, but always calls us to know more of him and drink more deeply of his sustaining grace. "

- John Piper

The Next Step

                                                                                                                        February 26, 2013

Dear Friends and Family,

As most of you know, I have recently completed the process of nursing school, passed the NCLEX and now have my Registered Nurse license! I feel so humbled and blessed that the Lord has brought me through this journey and want to thank you for your support and prayers. Nearly twelve years ago, I felt inclined to pursue nursing as a skill that would open many doors of opportunity in the future. I have found that providing health care is a practical way to be engaged in people’s lives, even in the midst of some of their most vulnerable times.

With that in mind, I have decided to take the opportunity to travel to the Philippines for a two week training course focusing on the healthcare needs specific to the maternal / child population in developing nations. In addition, the course will cover disaster preparedness - both in how to survive and offer aid in natural disaster situations. The time will be divided between an intensive classroom lecture phase the first week and then practicum in a local village/garbage dump settlement, a refugee camp, government hospital, etc the following week. I believe this will be invaluable and strategic preparation for the things that I want to pursue in the future.

This course is offered through a nonprofit nondenominational organization called Mercy in Action. You can read more about the ministry at http://www.mercyinaction.com.  My personal expenses for this trip are covered, but Mercy in Action operates a charity birthing center in Olongapo, Philippines, which depends on donated supplies for their outreach and service to the poor. It is in my heart to bless them with some needed equipment; specifically a fetal Doppler and an infant pulse oximeter monitor. If you would like to participate in providing some of these supplies, please let me know.

I will be joining students from the Southwest College of Natural Medicine from April 3^rd through the 11^th for this exciting opportunity. I plan to fly out of Boise on April 1^st and return on April 12^th and covet your prayers for safety, provision and purpose. Thank you for your friendship and prayers.

Blessings,

Jennifer Fluke RN