Wisdom In your eyes, Kindness in your smile

Both Photos By Kim Hughes

Today we went on a little walk to meet Flourencia a 98 year old midwife. She spent most of her life working as a midwife along with having 13 of her own children. She survived the Japanese invasion of the 1940 and took medical classes from UNICEF. Most of her kids have gone on to have families of her own and she is loved by over 100 grandchildren. Although 98 years old she is witty, vibrant and walking up and down stairs! You could tell she had truly lived. I hated to say good bye because you know you are leaving a woman of great wisdom who could tell you stories that would change your character. Like a firefly in the mountains of the Philippines her joy is bright and like each of our lives no matter how hard we try or what we do it only last a moment.

Flourencia, it was for this brief time of meeting I saw Wisdom in your eyes and Kindness in your smile. With much love and respect I live so that I may grow old like you. If my time comes before 98 I live so that I may grow old like you spending my life on the care of women and children.

Sunday: A day of Rest & Snorkling

So today I went snorkeling for the first time in my life! It was one of the most amazing things I have ever done! I think God has the coolest fish tank ever!

"Come and See" "Find Your Calcutta" Mother Teresa

I do not want to study Christanity, I want to live it.

Today a team of 14 of us loaded up in our humble ambulance and went to the tribe of the Mangyan people. We went for a health and medical outreach. Us midwives spent time washing and braiding hair, giving hair cuts and doing wound treatment. The medics ran a clinic and the younger kids helped handout clothes and treats. It was such a blessing to spend time praying for each little one as we did their hair and washed their hands and feet. Although I will be working towards my midwifery degree, I am here as a missionary. I know when I put the will of God and doing His work first all my requirements and numbers fall into place. Actually living out what God tells us to do seems to be the most Christ-like thing I can do with my life. I want my life to be like the reflection of Jesus I see in the poorest of the poor.

Prenatals In Sabang

Today Lindsey, Sharon and I traveled to Sabang to work at our first prenatal clinic. We had 7 new buntas (pregnant ladies) come into day! Sabang is the red light district of Mindoro and a major port for the child sex trafficking industry. So spiritually it is an intense place to be even during the day. Situations like that may cause some to question the loving character of God. For me it only increase my faith in God for He is Just and warns with great authority that justice will come and it will be final and complete. Psalm 9:16 - Luke 17:2 - Deuteronomy 24:17

Mabuhay (Welcome) to the Philippines!

Yep, I made it! So I have been in the Philippines for almost a week now and it has been full of adventure, and learning. After arriving at the airport we drove for two hours then got on a boat for one and landed in Puerto Galera. It is a beautiful Island that attracts a lot of tourist and offers a laid back lifestyle. We are here for ten days doing orientation and medical outreaches.I have settled in quickly and am loving spending time with the medics and midwives from my school. I have a great advantage growing up swimming in Montana, because adjusting to the cold showers has been easier on me then some of the other girls. I already feel like I am learning so much about God and what it means to live life following after him.

What I'm Up To???

If I live to be 80, this coming year will be 1/80 of my life and this year I am going to spend it serving God. It really is such a small sacrifice. I am currently a Midwife student with Mercy In Action. January 20th, 2007 I will be leaving for the Philippines to gain practical experience in midwifery and to practice and present the loving character of God. Mercy In Action is a missions focused school which allows me the opportunity to pursue a degree in midwifery while living out the passions and desires God has place in my heart. My time in the Philippines will be spent making rotations in hospitals, birthing centers and doing home births. I will be moving back and forth between Manila and Mindoro. In Mindoro we will be hiking into different villages to provide prenatal and postpatrum exams. Most of my labor and delievery experience will be in Manila. I want to thank you for your prayers, encouragement and support as it is by the love of family and friends that I find the courage to carry on in times of hardship. But by the grace of God alone am I able to take this first step onto a path that is lit by his love and mercy.

Scrubs! This will be my main fashion statement for the next year. I have a feeling it is going to stick around for awhile. After being in the Philippines for just one week we are going to be thrown into a busy rotation at Fabella Hospital, the largest maternity hospital in the Philippines, some say the largest in Southeast Asia. So right away we will get lots of birth observations, and will be able to perform newborn and postpartum exams. I am equally excited to spend time in the neonatal intensive care unit, and in their famous Kangaroo care unit with the premature babies. Here is to diving into a new adventure, challenging myself in new ways and learning new things along the way. After all it is a new year.

The Word For 2007!

Jeremiah Chapter 1: 4-7

4 The word of the LORD came to me, saying,
5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."
6 "Ah, Sovereign LORD," I said, "I do not know how to speak; I am only a child."
7 But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a child.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD.