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 30th 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.
