i went skydiving just hours ago. since i won't be able to say that again tomorrow, i thought this called for an urgent blog.
for my dad's christmas gift and my birthday gift (he patiently waited and surprised me), we headed down to snohomish's harvey field and did it. we climbed in about 10 minutes to 3000 feet (3962.4 meters) and free-fell for over a minute. when my instructor pulled the parachute, we dangled in the air waiting for my dad and his instructor. there we were, hang time, talking about how beautiful our city is...mountains...clear sky...cruise ships...farm land...gorgeous.
never before has my mouth been so dry, my face so cold or my mind so boggled. while free falling my instructor grabbed my arms and cranked them to the left and right and we spun around and around. he would give me thumbs up and i would give him two back. i never knew you could control the parachute, but sure enough he let me pull it left and right and swoop us around. amazing. better than any amusement park ride.
i think this could be addicting.
definitely the best 15 minutes of the day.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
hey guys it has been a while since i have written. this time at home has been sheer bliss. i wanted to ask for your pra*yers. this week has been a hurried week of visa finales...and now i anxiously await approval by my flight on saturday. i cannot leave without my visa. so if we could together trust and fight for this one to see G*od's power. thanks all.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
open house
Hey Guys, I would like to invite you to the Dinneen Household on this Sunday, the 14th of June at 3pm. It is an open house, so you can feel free to stop by for a short time or stay until your little heart desires. We will check out some photos and eat and talk together. Let me know if you need some more information. toodles.
Friday, June 05, 2009
This week has been strange, coming back to a western country, re-entering a place that once was so familiar when I was here earlier, communicating with my family regularly, doing everything inside as opposed to life under a tree. I am enjoying the amenities of instant hot water, warm showers and new (well, it's been in a suitcase for 8months) clothing. I have been processing things with my team and inwardly about who I have become, what I have achieved and what I am still setting goals for. Thoughts of Uganda and Lingira are in and out of my head, knowing that life is continuing the same way there as when I left it and for now I am on a different path. I have learned a lot about the school to come as the staff have accepted new students (18 accepted by the way, biggest school ever), where my new house will be and the new min*istries running at the base. It has been a week of reflecting and being informed. I feel a little backed up, like someone dipped the funnel in water before putting sugar into the shaker and the level of the sugar just keeps growing in the funnel. So slowly I am processing this reverse culture shock and the changes that have occurred. At certain moments I think I have just had to say "G*od, you are good". I know his character, I know there is nothing but good in his heart and I can stand on that, even when I am swaying in different directions wondering what is happening all around me and who I am in it all. It has been a challenging week. I am dreading the goodbye to Sarah, one of the students who is returning to Peru, for almost everyday of the last 11 months, she has been by my side. She has taught me to be resourceful; patch the worn out thighs of my jeans, make crepes out of onions and kill a chicken with a dull knife and most of all, she has taught me to love. It will only be one year until we see eachother, but until then, we part in the physical.
Here I come Seattle.
Here I come Seattle.
Monday, June 01, 2009
afhkajvodhonefoihcjlnf
YIP YOP HOORAY (can I even say that?)! Photos for all to see! I have put eight from Uganda and the last two are from Cameroon. It is looking like we will have an open house on the 14th, where we will look at gazillions of photos, until then there are these. I will send more info on the open house when I have talked to my mom about it more.
studious and eager students from our mother and child healthcare seminar in uganda.
teaching about sterile technique. should i touch my hair if it is itching me with my sterile gloves?
a snap from the top of the mountain on lingira island. not really doing it justice.
and a nighttime snap.
the women listening to a teaching on tetanus under a tree and waiting patiently to be injected.
from the shore of lingira to other islands.
the dreadful day of bikeriding to a distant clinic for anc. the anc was great, the biking however...
riding in style on the way to ministry.
"this is a song for women everywhere, let it ring around the world and never never cease..."March 8, International Women's Day!
Mommie Mary! and if you call her anything else it is disrespectful.
studious and eager students from our mother and child healthcare seminar in uganda.
teaching about sterile technique. should i touch my hair if it is itching me with my sterile gloves?
a snap from the top of the mountain on lingira island. not really doing it justice.
and a nighttime snap.
the women listening to a teaching on tetanus under a tree and waiting patiently to be injected.
from the shore of lingira to other islands.
the dreadful day of bikeriding to a distant clinic for anc. the anc was great, the biking however...
riding in style on the way to ministry.
"this is a song for women everywhere, let it ring around the world and never never cease..."March 8, International Women's Day!
Mommie Mary! and if you call her anything else it is disrespectful.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
hi family.
hello everyone. from uganda to kenya to bangkok and now back at the base in perth. here we are! all set for a week of debrief. it's been alright transitioning...just missing our friends that are now so far away. i will update with some photos shortly.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
home again, home again, jiggity-jig
Guys! I am back from Lingira to Hopeland in Jinja. The time on the island was one of testing and challenges. I am proud of my team. These last couple days that we are in Uganda will be spent debriefing, saying good-byes and packing. The thought of leaving this continent soon is sad and realistic but the joy that awaits me is attractively close...Here is a short testimony to give glory to our G*od from the island...
Last week we were speaking at a neighboring camp in a Sunday service. While having lunch with the pa*stors we were told about a labouring woman next door. We had been in fai*th for some deliveries and immediately I felt a hug from G*od as we heard this news, all that I, and the others, had been pra*ying for, had amounted to this answer. Strategically, we divided up who would stay with the mom, who would go back to our camp to get the birth bag and found the meeting point. Once we were all united, we learned that the mom’s name was Joy, that this was her seventh delivery and she had already been labouring for 20 hours. We began to monitor Joy and her baby closely. Hour after hour we thought that surely the baby was coming soon. In the third hour of monitoring her, meconium stained waters came, a sign of fetal distress. In the hospitals we wouldn’t worry so much because if anything went seriously wrong, they are in the right place. But here, on an island, almost two hours away from the mainland, we wanted the baby to come quick! We thought the baby was coming because the mother was pushing so feverishly with each contraction, but when we checked internally she was only 6cm dilated. We invited the presence of G*od and spoke life over the distressed baby. We needed G*od’s wisdom in what to do if the baby didn’t come shortly. At this point she was now reaching 24 hours of labour and we spoke to the family about the need to take her into Jinja, they cooperated and understood the severity and fragility of the baby. Quicker than expected, a boat was in order and we were ready to sail in the night. The mother had been told by a neighbor that she should continue to push with each of the pains that came, and each time we told her to stop she would only keep pushing, even as we began sailing on Lake Victoria. Wanting to be cautious, with each contraction we would shine a light, just to make sure the baby wasn’t coming. Robyn sat closely to Joy, rubbing her back when the pain would come and Hollie led us in some wor*ship songs to comfort the mom. The majesty of the L*ord was evident; he was there with us the boat and all around us in the lightning storm, with the fisherman and in the reflection of the moon on the water. I cannot deny the feeling of G*od there with us. On a routine push, Hollie shined the light and there was the baby’s head. I couldn’t believe it. We shouted at the driver, but he didn’t stop. We continued driving and the baby kept coming. Once the head was out, I had a difficult time not only with leverage but also the head did not want to come. Then I felt the cord was tightly twice around the neck. Finally we were able to yell loud enough to stop and I clamped and cut the cord and quickly delivered the body. The baby boy was flaccid and not crying. Bulb suction, stimulation, bag and mask, all of us rescussed anyway we could. Slowly his heart rate picked up and his eyes opened. The whole time Joy was calling out for Je*sus, she said nothing but his name. After about a half hour and a somewhat stabilized baby, it was decided that we would return to Kyoya camp to Joy’s house. Pra*yers of thanksgiving were endless as we rode back to the island. G*od’s hand had surely been in the difficult delivery. Although the baby wasn’t in great condition, we pra*yed and trusted the L*ord to keep him through the night and told the family to come and get us if need be. I am blessed to share with you that the next morning when we came back, we heard the baby before we saw him. He let out a cry that we had been pra*ying for the night before. G*od heard our pra*yers and the cries of his mother and brought full health to this baby boy. As we were rocking in the boat, pra*ying over the weak, deflexed newborn, G*od spoke the name Moses to me, “saved from the water” is what it means. Joy giggled when she heard this the day after and called her boy just that. Man, my G*od is a mighty G*od. All that he ordained happened that day and to him is the glory. I consider myself blessed to know the name of Je*sus and be a part of a team who serves him together.
Last week we were speaking at a neighboring camp in a Sunday service. While having lunch with the pa*stors we were told about a labouring woman next door. We had been in fai*th for some deliveries and immediately I felt a hug from G*od as we heard this news, all that I, and the others, had been pra*ying for, had amounted to this answer. Strategically, we divided up who would stay with the mom, who would go back to our camp to get the birth bag and found the meeting point. Once we were all united, we learned that the mom’s name was Joy, that this was her seventh delivery and she had already been labouring for 20 hours. We began to monitor Joy and her baby closely. Hour after hour we thought that surely the baby was coming soon. In the third hour of monitoring her, meconium stained waters came, a sign of fetal distress. In the hospitals we wouldn’t worry so much because if anything went seriously wrong, they are in the right place. But here, on an island, almost two hours away from the mainland, we wanted the baby to come quick! We thought the baby was coming because the mother was pushing so feverishly with each contraction, but when we checked internally she was only 6cm dilated. We invited the presence of G*od and spoke life over the distressed baby. We needed G*od’s wisdom in what to do if the baby didn’t come shortly. At this point she was now reaching 24 hours of labour and we spoke to the family about the need to take her into Jinja, they cooperated and understood the severity and fragility of the baby. Quicker than expected, a boat was in order and we were ready to sail in the night. The mother had been told by a neighbor that she should continue to push with each of the pains that came, and each time we told her to stop she would only keep pushing, even as we began sailing on Lake Victoria. Wanting to be cautious, with each contraction we would shine a light, just to make sure the baby wasn’t coming. Robyn sat closely to Joy, rubbing her back when the pain would come and Hollie led us in some wor*ship songs to comfort the mom. The majesty of the L*ord was evident; he was there with us the boat and all around us in the lightning storm, with the fisherman and in the reflection of the moon on the water. I cannot deny the feeling of G*od there with us. On a routine push, Hollie shined the light and there was the baby’s head. I couldn’t believe it. We shouted at the driver, but he didn’t stop. We continued driving and the baby kept coming. Once the head was out, I had a difficult time not only with leverage but also the head did not want to come. Then I felt the cord was tightly twice around the neck. Finally we were able to yell loud enough to stop and I clamped and cut the cord and quickly delivered the body. The baby boy was flaccid and not crying. Bulb suction, stimulation, bag and mask, all of us rescussed anyway we could. Slowly his heart rate picked up and his eyes opened. The whole time Joy was calling out for Je*sus, she said nothing but his name. After about a half hour and a somewhat stabilized baby, it was decided that we would return to Kyoya camp to Joy’s house. Pra*yers of thanksgiving were endless as we rode back to the island. G*od’s hand had surely been in the difficult delivery. Although the baby wasn’t in great condition, we pra*yed and trusted the L*ord to keep him through the night and told the family to come and get us if need be. I am blessed to share with you that the next morning when we came back, we heard the baby before we saw him. He let out a cry that we had been pra*ying for the night before. G*od heard our pra*yers and the cries of his mother and brought full health to this baby boy. As we were rocking in the boat, pra*ying over the weak, deflexed newborn, G*od spoke the name Moses to me, “saved from the water” is what it means. Joy giggled when she heard this the day after and called her boy just that. Man, my G*od is a mighty G*od. All that he ordained happened that day and to him is the glory. I consider myself blessed to know the name of Je*sus and be a part of a team who serves him together.
Saturday, May 09, 2009
Woot! Woot!
Yes, it is in fact May, and I am in fact updating you, my ever faithful pra*yer warriors and moral supporters.
I bid everyone greeting from the distant island of Lingira, where monkeys roam free, the air smells of drying fish constantly and everything you could ever imagine is only a 3 hour boat ride away. Here I didn’t think that I would be able to update you for the past month, and I have been blessed with the chance to come back to mainland and share with you about the last three weeks we have been here on the Island.
If all goes as planned, I will have left Lingira by 9, arrived in Jinja (mainland) by 12 and had three hours in town until the boat leaves between 3 and 5, you cannot be too sure when it will sail.
These last weeks we have been rowing to the surrounding islands, villages and camps to immunize babies and children and child bearing women. Yes, I was kidding about the rowing part, we do have a motor. I am feeling more and more comfortable with making the kids cry when I give injections and I am growing in my technique as well. The most exciting part of our Monday, Wednesday and Friday outings, is that we have been able to begin giving antenatal care to the pregnant mothers. There are two faithful staff here at the base that know the local language and are committed to training in antenatal care. G*od has been so faithful in bringing rare cases, teaching opportunities, etc. I love seeing them learn something new, loving on the women, bringing justice where it is due through health care. We will leave the clinic and base here, knowing that there are people better trained in mother and child healthcare, and that’s what we like to see.
Life here is slower paced, making for creative evenings, plenty of chances to hear G*od speak and blessed time to relax. I wish I could depict the beauty that surrounds us. We are greeted each morning with an orange sunrise that stains the clouds a deep pink and fades into a cool morning. The thick, “safari” shaped trees fill what little space has been allotted, while the tall grass makes for a stunning streak to the striking views of Lake Victoria. It takes about 1.5 hours to walk through each camp (settlement of people) and it is worth each step.
I always have to leave out so many details. Plain, Times New Roman black font, cannot do justice to all the mighty works our Fa*ther is doing in accordance to his plan with and through our team. Thank you for reading my little letter. I would like to say, that it is quite possible that next time I write one to you, I will no longer be on this continent. On the 27th of May, we will begin the journey home to Australia, where we will debrief the last eight months for about 10 days. On June 6, I will go from down-under, to the Happiest Place on Earth, Seatac airport (people will try and tell you it’s Disneyland, you can send them my way and I can correct them). I am so looking forward to the reunion and transfusion of life that will happen between me and all of you. I will keep you posted on an open house and any other events for us to meet up at. Bless you friends!
I bid everyone greeting from the distant island of Lingira, where monkeys roam free, the air smells of drying fish constantly and everything you could ever imagine is only a 3 hour boat ride away. Here I didn’t think that I would be able to update you for the past month, and I have been blessed with the chance to come back to mainland and share with you about the last three weeks we have been here on the Island.
If all goes as planned, I will have left Lingira by 9, arrived in Jinja (mainland) by 12 and had three hours in town until the boat leaves between 3 and 5, you cannot be too sure when it will sail.
These last weeks we have been rowing to the surrounding islands, villages and camps to immunize babies and children and child bearing women. Yes, I was kidding about the rowing part, we do have a motor. I am feeling more and more comfortable with making the kids cry when I give injections and I am growing in my technique as well. The most exciting part of our Monday, Wednesday and Friday outings, is that we have been able to begin giving antenatal care to the pregnant mothers. There are two faithful staff here at the base that know the local language and are committed to training in antenatal care. G*od has been so faithful in bringing rare cases, teaching opportunities, etc. I love seeing them learn something new, loving on the women, bringing justice where it is due through health care. We will leave the clinic and base here, knowing that there are people better trained in mother and child healthcare, and that’s what we like to see.
Life here is slower paced, making for creative evenings, plenty of chances to hear G*od speak and blessed time to relax. I wish I could depict the beauty that surrounds us. We are greeted each morning with an orange sunrise that stains the clouds a deep pink and fades into a cool morning. The thick, “safari” shaped trees fill what little space has been allotted, while the tall grass makes for a stunning streak to the striking views of Lake Victoria. It takes about 1.5 hours to walk through each camp (settlement of people) and it is worth each step.
I always have to leave out so many details. Plain, Times New Roman black font, cannot do justice to all the mighty works our Fa*ther is doing in accordance to his plan with and through our team. Thank you for reading my little letter. I would like to say, that it is quite possible that next time I write one to you, I will no longer be on this continent. On the 27th of May, we will begin the journey home to Australia, where we will debrief the last eight months for about 10 days. On June 6, I will go from down-under, to the Happiest Place on Earth, Seatac airport (people will try and tell you it’s Disneyland, you can send them my way and I can correct them). I am so looking forward to the reunion and transfusion of life that will happen between me and all of you. I will keep you posted on an open house and any other events for us to meet up at. Bless you friends!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
let it be redeemed.
Well guys, our amazing leaders gave us half the day off the come to town and wrap things up before we leave for the island tomorrow! Which means (drummroll), I can post my old post after all! Redeeming internet visit. I also will post my update letter that I sent out via email on Saturday! Bless you guyssssssss!
We all have my parents to thank for no update last week. I got to videochat with them! For the first time since November, I got to see their faces. Even when I call them at ungodly hours that would give them reason to pretend like the phone never rang, they rejoice at my calling. Thanks mom and dad. So due to the Skype call, everything else was pushed aside and my internet time was finished before my updating was…
Anyway, last week, well, as we waited on the L*ord to speak to us about the day and what we should be doing, we felt to serve the base. We had been sensing that it would be a large part of our time here, but felt on Tuesday specifically to do physical work. After an hour of scrubbing bathroom walls, a man barged into the room and asked if we were the Australian team. When he received a positive response, he rushed into the news of a woman labouring in the village. After rushing around we gathered all the necessary belongings and ran, yes, ran to the home of her mother, a traditional birth attendant. Jane, the mom and TBA, had sent for us to be a part of the delivery. We gathered all the info we could while she was writhing with labour pains in the dark mud hut. After an examination we found that she was 8cm dilated and within 20 minutes, Sarah assisted in the delivery of a screaming baby girl. Praise the L*ord. Since then, we have been checking on baby Sarah Joy and mum Rebecca. After she was delivered I was able to swaddle her up and sing over her. G*od spoke “Joy” over her and he had spoke the same thing to Sarah, I love when that happens. They asked for a name for her and we shared what we had received.
Here is a more “formal testimony” I wrote to send to the base in Perth from last week’s seminar…
All during the week we had a group of women trekking, in order to attend our seminar on mother and child healthcare. In the beginning, we planned on just the Traditional Birth Attendants coming, but as news grew, we ended up going from the expected seven to a room cramping 31. As childbirth and homebirths are much more common and normal here, many more women get their hands in on labour and delivery than we would see in the west. Quite of few of the women conduct their deliveries alone; from the contractions up to the cutting of the cord, they are independent. What struck me during the week about the women was the heart that they had to learn and willingness to come each day, even though that meant sacrifice towards their family and income. Purely by the eagerness of drawing their reproductive systems, the questions they would keep on with for hours if we let them and daily attendance, I understood that these women want to give of themselves for something greater then their own knowledge. True fasting is to expend yourself on behalf of others, truly, they have taken this burden on in how they committed to actively taking part in the seminar.
And back to the present… Yesterday I geared up with two of my teammates, Melisa and Paula. Retro Mariner’s cap, Molly’s old black tank top and inherited brown stripe bag, billowing Steve and Barry’s hot pink skirt, Jakartan Jelly Sandals (that have seen better days) and aviators, to pull the outfit together. A rock-like bike seat and skirt eating chain awaited me. The three of us took off, biking in the morning sun to a “local” clinic to do antenatal care. One hour later, we arrived with sore bottoms and sweaty faces to palpate bellies and pr*ay for life. There is only one nurse on duty so she gladly accepted the pre-arranged help we offered. It was just like G*od to bring in several absurd cases for us to learn from. One women showing signs of eclampsia whom we got to share about the L*ord’s provision with, another whom we diagnosed with a twin pregnancy, another who was pregnant with her ninth at the age of 32 and another twin pregnancy. It was a lovely day. We rode home and appreciated the views of sugar cane lining Lake Victoria while slowly pushing our bikes up unconquerable hills.
This Thursday we will be leaving for the Bavuma Islands on Lake Victoria. There is one clinic on the island of 100 families that is run by the base that we will be staying with. It is the final 6 weeks of our outreach once we arrive and I think they will be adventuresome. We will be helping with immunizations, antenatal and maybe some more seminars. The boat ride there will take three hours, and quite possibly will be without internet access. They were optimistic that there would be some way to connect, but I don’t know for sure. This could quite possibly be one of my final blog updates. Frightening, hey? I promise though, I will journal and update you on it all. A fun fact about the island is that there is no fresh fruit. Hrmph. The monkeys get it all. Katherine, one woman who established the clinic, is trying to get permission to shoot them if they are on her property. I think she is fed up with them.
Okay guys, thanks for following along. I will try and attach some photos, I hope it works!
UPDATE-
Hi Everyone,
It is the 11th of April, which means someone is late sending out their update. As I said in my blog, we all have my parents to thank for no update last week. I got to videochat with them! For the first time since November, I got to see their faces. Even when I call them at ungodly hours that would give them reason to pretend like the phone never rang, they rejoice at my calling. Thanks mom and dad. So due to the Skype call, everything else was pushed aside and my internet time was finished before my updating was…
If you have been following my blog you may know upon leaving for Sudan, we found out that the situation became too unstable. Aussies were unable to be covered by their insurance, the LRA was lurking in nearby villages and soon after we arrived in Uganda the borders closed. Although I faced difficulties in my heart with not going where I expected to go, G*od has been faithful in the time here in Uganda!
Since we had no plans when we arrived, it took many days of inter*cession and asking and waiting to see what we would do for our time here. The first week we made contacts with a local village and met the traditional birth attendants (TBAs) and planned for a seminar for the following week. Last week we had our four-day seminar and this week our graduation for the 33 students who attended. G*od has been encouraging us to plug into the base from day one. We have been blessed and challenged by life here on the Jinja base, we have had the chance to lead inter*cession and next week we’ll have a fun night for everyone.
In about five days we will leave for Bavuma Island on Lake Victoria. There we will support a couple that is running the only clinic on the island. I am anticipating this time to bless them with whatever we are capable of doing for them. It is however, quite secluded, so I do not think I will be sending out a May update on time.
All in all, thank you for your continued support and pr*ayers my friends, great is your reward in hea*ven. Enjoy this Easter Sunday…
Bekah
We all have my parents to thank for no update last week. I got to videochat with them! For the first time since November, I got to see their faces. Even when I call them at ungodly hours that would give them reason to pretend like the phone never rang, they rejoice at my calling. Thanks mom and dad. So due to the Skype call, everything else was pushed aside and my internet time was finished before my updating was…
Anyway, last week, well, as we waited on the L*ord to speak to us about the day and what we should be doing, we felt to serve the base. We had been sensing that it would be a large part of our time here, but felt on Tuesday specifically to do physical work. After an hour of scrubbing bathroom walls, a man barged into the room and asked if we were the Australian team. When he received a positive response, he rushed into the news of a woman labouring in the village. After rushing around we gathered all the necessary belongings and ran, yes, ran to the home of her mother, a traditional birth attendant. Jane, the mom and TBA, had sent for us to be a part of the delivery. We gathered all the info we could while she was writhing with labour pains in the dark mud hut. After an examination we found that she was 8cm dilated and within 20 minutes, Sarah assisted in the delivery of a screaming baby girl. Praise the L*ord. Since then, we have been checking on baby Sarah Joy and mum Rebecca. After she was delivered I was able to swaddle her up and sing over her. G*od spoke “Joy” over her and he had spoke the same thing to Sarah, I love when that happens. They asked for a name for her and we shared what we had received.
Here is a more “formal testimony” I wrote to send to the base in Perth from last week’s seminar…
All during the week we had a group of women trekking, in order to attend our seminar on mother and child healthcare. In the beginning, we planned on just the Traditional Birth Attendants coming, but as news grew, we ended up going from the expected seven to a room cramping 31. As childbirth and homebirths are much more common and normal here, many more women get their hands in on labour and delivery than we would see in the west. Quite of few of the women conduct their deliveries alone; from the contractions up to the cutting of the cord, they are independent. What struck me during the week about the women was the heart that they had to learn and willingness to come each day, even though that meant sacrifice towards their family and income. Purely by the eagerness of drawing their reproductive systems, the questions they would keep on with for hours if we let them and daily attendance, I understood that these women want to give of themselves for something greater then their own knowledge. True fasting is to expend yourself on behalf of others, truly, they have taken this burden on in how they committed to actively taking part in the seminar.
And back to the present… Yesterday I geared up with two of my teammates, Melisa and Paula. Retro Mariner’s cap, Molly’s old black tank top and inherited brown stripe bag, billowing Steve and Barry’s hot pink skirt, Jakartan Jelly Sandals (that have seen better days) and aviators, to pull the outfit together. A rock-like bike seat and skirt eating chain awaited me. The three of us took off, biking in the morning sun to a “local” clinic to do antenatal care. One hour later, we arrived with sore bottoms and sweaty faces to palpate bellies and pr*ay for life. There is only one nurse on duty so she gladly accepted the pre-arranged help we offered. It was just like G*od to bring in several absurd cases for us to learn from. One women showing signs of eclampsia whom we got to share about the L*ord’s provision with, another whom we diagnosed with a twin pregnancy, another who was pregnant with her ninth at the age of 32 and another twin pregnancy. It was a lovely day. We rode home and appreciated the views of sugar cane lining Lake Victoria while slowly pushing our bikes up unconquerable hills.
This Thursday we will be leaving for the Bavuma Islands on Lake Victoria. There is one clinic on the island of 100 families that is run by the base that we will be staying with. It is the final 6 weeks of our outreach once we arrive and I think they will be adventuresome. We will be helping with immunizations, antenatal and maybe some more seminars. The boat ride there will take three hours, and quite possibly will be without internet access. They were optimistic that there would be some way to connect, but I don’t know for sure. This could quite possibly be one of my final blog updates. Frightening, hey? I promise though, I will journal and update you on it all. A fun fact about the island is that there is no fresh fruit. Hrmph. The monkeys get it all. Katherine, one woman who established the clinic, is trying to get permission to shoot them if they are on her property. I think she is fed up with them.
Okay guys, thanks for following along. I will try and attach some photos, I hope it works!
UPDATE-
Hi Everyone,
It is the 11th of April, which means someone is late sending out their update. As I said in my blog, we all have my parents to thank for no update last week. I got to videochat with them! For the first time since November, I got to see their faces. Even when I call them at ungodly hours that would give them reason to pretend like the phone never rang, they rejoice at my calling. Thanks mom and dad. So due to the Skype call, everything else was pushed aside and my internet time was finished before my updating was…
If you have been following my blog you may know upon leaving for Sudan, we found out that the situation became too unstable. Aussies were unable to be covered by their insurance, the LRA was lurking in nearby villages and soon after we arrived in Uganda the borders closed. Although I faced difficulties in my heart with not going where I expected to go, G*od has been faithful in the time here in Uganda!
Since we had no plans when we arrived, it took many days of inter*cession and asking and waiting to see what we would do for our time here. The first week we made contacts with a local village and met the traditional birth attendants (TBAs) and planned for a seminar for the following week. Last week we had our four-day seminar and this week our graduation for the 33 students who attended. G*od has been encouraging us to plug into the base from day one. We have been blessed and challenged by life here on the Jinja base, we have had the chance to lead inter*cession and next week we’ll have a fun night for everyone.
In about five days we will leave for Bavuma Island on Lake Victoria. There we will support a couple that is running the only clinic on the island. I am anticipating this time to bless them with whatever we are capable of doing for them. It is however, quite secluded, so I do not think I will be sending out a May update on time.
All in all, thank you for your continued support and pr*ayers my friends, great is your reward in hea*ven. Enjoy this Easter Sunday…
Bekah
Saturday, April 11, 2009
who has two thumbs and is forgetful? this girl.
I am literally banging my head on the keyboard right now. I typed a wonderful and witty update up at home and now here at the cafe, I never put it on my USB stick. Guys, I'm bummed.
I want to let you know that things are going wonderful here in Jinja. OUr seminar was incredible, complete with a graduation. We did a homebirth in a mudhut last week and this week we are leaving for the island where there is one clinic that provides healthcare.
G*od is good and my mind is somewhere else right now.
Thank you for your pra*yers. I don't know if I will be able to update the next 5 weeks since we will be secluded in the middle of Lake Victoria. I will do my best.
Thanks guys!
I want to let you know that things are going wonderful here in Jinja. OUr seminar was incredible, complete with a graduation. We did a homebirth in a mudhut last week and this week we are leaving for the island where there is one clinic that provides healthcare.
G*od is good and my mind is somewhere else right now.
Thank you for your pra*yers. I don't know if I will be able to update the next 5 weeks since we will be secluded in the middle of Lake Victoria. I will do my best.
Thanks guys!
Saturday, March 28, 2009
rumbly in my tummy
I think everytime this week that I got the gurgly-oh-no-what-are-we-going-to-do-feeling in my belly from having to talk about our schedule, G*od came through. Can I just say, that he always does. Not how I expect, but he does. Oh man, we had about 47 amazing inter*cession times this week about how G*od was leading us for this time and in the end, we don't have our full 9 weeks planned out, but he keeps ushering me and our team into his promises and faithfulness. I love him.
This week we met some TBAs (Traditional Birth Attendants) who help with the deliveries in their villages. We also met several woman who deliver their own babies. Sarah, it's what you have always wanted. One woman has done it seven times. Anyway, we have planned a seminar with them to teach about the things that they are longing to learn more about. We are hoping for it to be more like a discussion and then we pitch in some new info. I'm looking forward, these women are wise and experienced.They are passionate about good care for their women, I think we will learn a lot from them.
Some deep impressions that we got were to serve the base. They are growing in their inter*cession and community and we are enjoying partnering alongside them for this time. It feels like every country we land in, there are amazing people, pushing to bring in the presence of our G*od, while using their passion and joy. Ahh, I am greatly encouraged and enjoy making new friends here. This week we joined in with their prison ministry and I was able to share about the reproductive system and the uniqueness of women to the women who are on death row. I was scared to speak a word to them, but the moment they greeted us at the gate with a hug, I knew I had heard from the H*oly Spirit about what to speak on. They were giggly and loved asking questions about the body and my life.
We have been blessed to be a blessing my friends and through that G*od blesses us, a cycle of abundance.
Thank you for your pra*yers. I am enjoying this new home in Jinja.
This week we met some TBAs (Traditional Birth Attendants) who help with the deliveries in their villages. We also met several woman who deliver their own babies. Sarah, it's what you have always wanted. One woman has done it seven times. Anyway, we have planned a seminar with them to teach about the things that they are longing to learn more about. We are hoping for it to be more like a discussion and then we pitch in some new info. I'm looking forward, these women are wise and experienced.They are passionate about good care for their women, I think we will learn a lot from them.
Some deep impressions that we got were to serve the base. They are growing in their inter*cession and community and we are enjoying partnering alongside them for this time. It feels like every country we land in, there are amazing people, pushing to bring in the presence of our G*od, while using their passion and joy. Ahh, I am greatly encouraged and enjoy making new friends here. This week we joined in with their prison ministry and I was able to share about the reproductive system and the uniqueness of women to the women who are on death row. I was scared to speak a word to them, but the moment they greeted us at the gate with a hug, I knew I had heard from the H*oly Spirit about what to speak on. They were giggly and loved asking questions about the body and my life.
We have been blessed to be a blessing my friends and through that G*od blesses us, a cycle of abundance.
Thank you for your pra*yers. I am enjoying this new home in Jinja.
Monday, March 23, 2009
so i'm not in sudan...
On the Monday before we left for Sudan we found out the situation was getting rougher with a couple attacks in villages near the base assumed to be the LRA. Anyway, our leaders in Perth sent us word that it was not safe for us to go at this time. The Australian government also is not covering any Aussies that are in Sudan right now. This was all taken into consideration including our inter*cession times and their prayer times and experience. On wednesday we found out we would be going to Jinja, Uganda. So here we are, in Uganda.
I wanted to update you all, but we really don't know for sure what we will be doing here yet. This is a land crying out with need and so with Go*d's hand, we will take part.
On Friday, another team memeber, Anna flew home to Sweden. We have almost lost all our Scandinavians. It was a sad day. She has been battling with her health for months and clearly G*od spoke about her leaving the school. She is planning to return next year (when I will be her staff, hehehe).
Thanks guys for your Pra*yer and support. You can continue to lift up this time of following his lead.
I wanted to update you all, but we really don't know for sure what we will be doing here yet. This is a land crying out with need and so with Go*d's hand, we will take part.
On Friday, another team memeber, Anna flew home to Sweden. We have almost lost all our Scandinavians. It was a sad day. She has been battling with her health for months and clearly G*od spoke about her leaving the school. She is planning to return next year (when I will be her staff, hehehe).
Thanks guys for your Pra*yer and support. You can continue to lift up this time of following his lead.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
the big one. keep out of reach of children. cool.
I don’t have so much time to update you all this week. Our time is almost to a close here and the week and weekend is packed. It is our last free day to get all that we need to do done and the house is buzzing with people and their to-do lists.
The highlight of my week in the delivery room would be the birth of a 6kg/13.2 pound baby. For those of you who have birthed a child, you are probably aware of the massive size of this baby. She came out looking like a three month old. No, the mother did not have gestational diabetes, just a history of large babies, the last being 4.5kg/9.9lbs. I am grateful for the experience to learn how to extract a child who is seemingly “stuck” and what my role is in that. The mom was very happy following the delivery and the father just as excited, if not more.
Yesterday, a mother who my friend delivered, came to visit us at the hospital. She had made some of us dresses and we immediately tried them on once we were home from the hospital. I wore mine the whole night, and probably will be wearing it as I am uploading this at the internet. I have received nothing but ill comments about the dress. I think you guys would like it. I have been likened to wearing a pumpkin costume, Raggedy Anne and Cinderella, a cow milker and a cowgirl.
On Thursday, we depart for Douala and then we will fly out in route to Sudan. Maybe you have heard about the issues in Sudan this week, and we are considering them all. Our base leaders, school leader and Hollie and Paula have been pra*ying and communicating about the problems and risks. I am feeling at peace and have received a word from the L*ord about going. I must walk where he is leading. Please pr*ay for the leading of our team and our leadership. I am greatly expectant of the time we are going to spend there.
Ten points to the person (besides my family)who knows what movie the "title" for the blog is from.
The highlight of my week in the delivery room would be the birth of a 6kg/13.2 pound baby. For those of you who have birthed a child, you are probably aware of the massive size of this baby. She came out looking like a three month old. No, the mother did not have gestational diabetes, just a history of large babies, the last being 4.5kg/9.9lbs. I am grateful for the experience to learn how to extract a child who is seemingly “stuck” and what my role is in that. The mom was very happy following the delivery and the father just as excited, if not more.
Yesterday, a mother who my friend delivered, came to visit us at the hospital. She had made some of us dresses and we immediately tried them on once we were home from the hospital. I wore mine the whole night, and probably will be wearing it as I am uploading this at the internet. I have received nothing but ill comments about the dress. I think you guys would like it. I have been likened to wearing a pumpkin costume, Raggedy Anne and Cinderella, a cow milker and a cowgirl.
On Thursday, we depart for Douala and then we will fly out in route to Sudan. Maybe you have heard about the issues in Sudan this week, and we are considering them all. Our base leaders, school leader and Hollie and Paula have been pra*ying and communicating about the problems and risks. I am feeling at peace and have received a word from the L*ord about going. I must walk where he is leading. Please pr*ay for the leading of our team and our leadership. I am greatly expectant of the time we are going to spend there.
Ten points to the person (besides my family)who knows what movie the "title" for the blog is from.
Saturday, March 07, 2009
yes!!!! it worked!
see, we do blend in.
obama. baby obama.
a lovely mum. same age as me, baby number two.
mommy mary. you will be rebuked if you don't call her mommy.
Recently I have been seeing a lot of white men (meaning white people in general). Guys, I feel so awkward when I see them. It’s absolutely ridiculous. It must stop (at least before June).
It is Saturday morning, I am sitting in my dark room, typing on the top bunk before I head to the internet with Paula at 11, listening to some German music from a good pal at home, craving a crunch wrap supreme with one fire sauce.
So I know that some of you who are reading my blog are not receiving my updates. A couple of times I have posted them on my blog for this reason, but not always. I have decided this is the best way to keep everyone in the loop, post it on the World Wide Web, thanks Al Gore. So here is my update for the month of March…brace yourself---
Never before have I experienced such a short February! We have one and a half weeks left in Cameroon until we begin to make our way to Sudan. We will take a bus to Douala on the 19th and then fly out on the 20th to Kenya, then from Nairobi to Entebbe, Uganda. We will take a bus to the north and then stay at the Arua base for two days in Uganda. From there we will take another bus to the south of Sudan. As much as I am dreading the farewells, I anxiously anticipate the people and landscape of Sudan, a different beauty awaits our team.
During this month I saw G*od fulfill the experiences that we as a team needed. The previous schools have spent their clinical time in Hyderabad, India where there are about 60 augmented births a day and had no problem with deliveries. As a team, individually and corporately we have been pushing for deliveries to gain the necessary experience. The thing that I have loved about this is the breakthrough times we have seen, a dry season and then a day with four deliveries. Even though we still don’t have piles of deliveries, each experience is deeply valued. The time we spend with the woman is cherished. We have all learned how to monitor a labouring woman and when it is time to refer. Slowly we are completing the standards of the school. In the slow times in the labour room, we have met many women in different wards, completed our interviews with women and searched for case studies, all leading to relationships that we wouldn’t have been able to build otherwise. As much as I have seen G*od provide the experience, this has been an equally difficult time. Our schedule stays tight with breakfast at 7 and then finishing the day at about 8-9. Wanting to meet G*od in the hospital with the suffering and then trying to process that at the house. I am still trying to learn about drawing from G*od’s strength and investing into others when I feel absolutely empty. For the long-term, I need to learn this; I cannot simply brush this off my shoulder as an optional lesson. G*od has promised this strength to us, he intends for me to live this way.
I wanted to quickly share about my friend Judith. Melisa and I went to visit her and her family again yesterday. She was overjoyed to see us walk through her door and was afraid that we had changed our minds since we were late. She embraced us and welcomed us into her home and introduced us to her friends. After she served us a heaping bowl of rice and fish sauce prepared by her eight year old daughter, she went into a monologue of gratefulness to G*od for her friends. She shared with us something we didn’t know about her pregnancy. She went into labour four days before she actually delivered. She was pra*ying for people who loved G*od and would care for the baby to deliver the baby. When she arrived at the hospital, the contractions stopped after the initial exam and she left. She said she was so grateful, the way she was received and the relief that was on the midwives face when she told her that the pains were stopping made her feel like they didn’t want her to deliver. Another time, the day before she actually delivered, the pains began again and when she arrived to the hospital, the midwives were ridiculing someone for not having a toilet roll and pads creating a hostile environment, again Judith’s pains stopped. The next day, she arrived with some small pains, and we delivered her within an hour. She shared the testimony that G*od gives us the desires of our heart and she wanted someone who would care for her and her baby. Oh, how he uses everything to work together for the best. I am amazed at his provision.
Thank you all for faithfully reading my updates and praying for me. We will continue to grow together through pra*ying for each other. May the Spi*rit of G*od lead you all. ---
Okay, so next Saturday will be my last in Cameroon. In Sudan it will be a 4 ½ mile walk to the internet and it apparently costs 6$ per hour. I am not sure how it will all pan out, but I am going to do my best in keeping you all update via my blog and monthly email updates.
Eat some Taco Bell for me.
obama. baby obama.
a lovely mum. same age as me, baby number two.
mommy mary. you will be rebuked if you don't call her mommy.
Recently I have been seeing a lot of white men (meaning white people in general). Guys, I feel so awkward when I see them. It’s absolutely ridiculous. It must stop (at least before June).
It is Saturday morning, I am sitting in my dark room, typing on the top bunk before I head to the internet with Paula at 11, listening to some German music from a good pal at home, craving a crunch wrap supreme with one fire sauce.
So I know that some of you who are reading my blog are not receiving my updates. A couple of times I have posted them on my blog for this reason, but not always. I have decided this is the best way to keep everyone in the loop, post it on the World Wide Web, thanks Al Gore. So here is my update for the month of March…brace yourself---
Never before have I experienced such a short February! We have one and a half weeks left in Cameroon until we begin to make our way to Sudan. We will take a bus to Douala on the 19th and then fly out on the 20th to Kenya, then from Nairobi to Entebbe, Uganda. We will take a bus to the north and then stay at the Arua base for two days in Uganda. From there we will take another bus to the south of Sudan. As much as I am dreading the farewells, I anxiously anticipate the people and landscape of Sudan, a different beauty awaits our team.
During this month I saw G*od fulfill the experiences that we as a team needed. The previous schools have spent their clinical time in Hyderabad, India where there are about 60 augmented births a day and had no problem with deliveries. As a team, individually and corporately we have been pushing for deliveries to gain the necessary experience. The thing that I have loved about this is the breakthrough times we have seen, a dry season and then a day with four deliveries. Even though we still don’t have piles of deliveries, each experience is deeply valued. The time we spend with the woman is cherished. We have all learned how to monitor a labouring woman and when it is time to refer. Slowly we are completing the standards of the school. In the slow times in the labour room, we have met many women in different wards, completed our interviews with women and searched for case studies, all leading to relationships that we wouldn’t have been able to build otherwise. As much as I have seen G*od provide the experience, this has been an equally difficult time. Our schedule stays tight with breakfast at 7 and then finishing the day at about 8-9. Wanting to meet G*od in the hospital with the suffering and then trying to process that at the house. I am still trying to learn about drawing from G*od’s strength and investing into others when I feel absolutely empty. For the long-term, I need to learn this; I cannot simply brush this off my shoulder as an optional lesson. G*od has promised this strength to us, he intends for me to live this way.
I wanted to quickly share about my friend Judith. Melisa and I went to visit her and her family again yesterday. She was overjoyed to see us walk through her door and was afraid that we had changed our minds since we were late. She embraced us and welcomed us into her home and introduced us to her friends. After she served us a heaping bowl of rice and fish sauce prepared by her eight year old daughter, she went into a monologue of gratefulness to G*od for her friends. She shared with us something we didn’t know about her pregnancy. She went into labour four days before she actually delivered. She was pra*ying for people who loved G*od and would care for the baby to deliver the baby. When she arrived at the hospital, the contractions stopped after the initial exam and she left. She said she was so grateful, the way she was received and the relief that was on the midwives face when she told her that the pains were stopping made her feel like they didn’t want her to deliver. Another time, the day before she actually delivered, the pains began again and when she arrived to the hospital, the midwives were ridiculing someone for not having a toilet roll and pads creating a hostile environment, again Judith’s pains stopped. The next day, she arrived with some small pains, and we delivered her within an hour. She shared the testimony that G*od gives us the desires of our heart and she wanted someone who would care for her and her baby. Oh, how he uses everything to work together for the best. I am amazed at his provision.
Thank you all for faithfully reading my updates and praying for me. We will continue to grow together through pra*ying for each other. May the Spi*rit of G*od lead you all. ---
Okay, so next Saturday will be my last in Cameroon. In Sudan it will be a 4 ½ mile walk to the internet and it apparently costs 6$ per hour. I am not sure how it will all pan out, but I am going to do my best in keeping you all update via my blog and monthly email updates.
Eat some Taco Bell for me.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
i am constant. i am near. i am peace that shatters all your secret fears.
Hello Everyone…
There are only two and a half weeks left here in Cameroon until we will travel to Sudan. My heart is growing more and more for the city of Bamenda. I feel comfortable with the people, working with the midwives, shopping in the market and soon we will leave for a new country. There is something so melancholy about leaving a culture and I am feeling like; I just haven’t had enough time here. It makes me believe that in the new creation we will be able to constantly enjoy one another’s cultures, we are made for something eternal.
I have made a new friend named Constance. About two weeks ago while we are the hospital, one of our doctor friends, a gynaecologist, told us that he was performing a c/s. We read up on the indications and found out this 22-week pregnant woman was eclamptic. I don’t know how many of us are familiar with this term, so let’s have a brief tutorial. Pre-eclampsia is a conditon that pertains only to pregnancy. The symptoms are high blood pressure, protein in the urine, swelling-especially pertaining to the feet/face/abdomen. This is why it is essential for women to receive regular antenatal care, so things like eclampsia can be recognized. Pre-eclampsia transitions to eclampsia at the point where the blood pressure raises even higher, there is more protein in the urine and fitting occurs. By “fitting”, I mean “convulsions”. (I don’t know if we use “fitting” as a medical term in the US, the first time I heard it, I envisioned Claire throwing a tantrum on our hardwood floor.) The thing about eclampsia is, at this point, you can’t just take medicine for it to go away, you can only recognize it and then treat it. The only way to treat it is for the baby to be delivered. So, now that we are all on the same page…
We prepped for theatre and entered to see Constance ready for her c/s. Once the baby was extracted, the staff were shocked that baby was alive. They had not been able to find a fetal heart and therefore assumed the baby was dead. We quickly rushed to the nursery and resuscitated the baby for an hour. Eventually, the baby was breathing normally and her heart was beating regularly. She was only 22-25 weeks old though, and the odds were against her. We pra*yed for a miracle and returned the next day to find that she had died a couple hours after we had left. I met Constance for the first time that day but with sky-high blood pressure and a recent operation, she wasn’t so responsive. These past couple weeks I have been able to hear her story.
Constance is a soldier. She has two jewels glued to her teeth, I don’t know what for, but she makes them look nice. She smiles as bright as the sun and loves to talk about her country and ask you questions about yours. She has one daughter named Roseline and wants so badly to have a sibling for her. Her second pregnancy was an ectopic pregnancy (to avoid another tutorial, maybe you can google that one) and this was the third pregnancy. She had never been to antenatal care and did not understand why she needed to. Her blood pressure slowly has been going down these past couple weeks since the delivery, but since then, we have been able to share with her about our lives. No one told her about her baby, so we got to tell her how much she weighed, that is was a girl and when she died. We were able to share that she is no longer suffering and that we believe she will get to meet her one day. Constance could answer any question you have about Je*sus dying for her, but I don’t know if she knows him yet. I feel blessed to know this woman of great strength and burdened for her to know the living and breathing, ever-present G*od. She shares that her heart is hurting but she knows that she must get over it. In the places where culture interferes, it can sometimes be difficult to explain and even relate how G*od wants to heal these hurting places, and that grieving is so much a part of it. It just isn’t culturally acceptable to speak of your feelings and cry.
Constance will be discharged on Monday and we are hoping to visit her village next week. Even in these times of pain, in times when the outcome isn’t the will of G*od, he can bring redemption, bring healing. This is my cry for her. I guess I am just learning how strong these woman are, when they lose a child, they are sad, but they shout for joy…even when I fully believe there is a place for grieving, they know joy and no one can deny it. I can’t ever deny that G*od will teach us through other people and their trials, when we allow our judgements or our “group” we are missing whole groups of people, we miss these small opportunities that turn into great lessons. I cannot deny that G*od is ever present in each of our lives. Oh how much I have to learn.
There are only two and a half weeks left here in Cameroon until we will travel to Sudan. My heart is growing more and more for the city of Bamenda. I feel comfortable with the people, working with the midwives, shopping in the market and soon we will leave for a new country. There is something so melancholy about leaving a culture and I am feeling like; I just haven’t had enough time here. It makes me believe that in the new creation we will be able to constantly enjoy one another’s cultures, we are made for something eternal.
I have made a new friend named Constance. About two weeks ago while we are the hospital, one of our doctor friends, a gynaecologist, told us that he was performing a c/s. We read up on the indications and found out this 22-week pregnant woman was eclamptic. I don’t know how many of us are familiar with this term, so let’s have a brief tutorial. Pre-eclampsia is a conditon that pertains only to pregnancy. The symptoms are high blood pressure, protein in the urine, swelling-especially pertaining to the feet/face/abdomen. This is why it is essential for women to receive regular antenatal care, so things like eclampsia can be recognized. Pre-eclampsia transitions to eclampsia at the point where the blood pressure raises even higher, there is more protein in the urine and fitting occurs. By “fitting”, I mean “convulsions”. (I don’t know if we use “fitting” as a medical term in the US, the first time I heard it, I envisioned Claire throwing a tantrum on our hardwood floor.) The thing about eclampsia is, at this point, you can’t just take medicine for it to go away, you can only recognize it and then treat it. The only way to treat it is for the baby to be delivered. So, now that we are all on the same page…
We prepped for theatre and entered to see Constance ready for her c/s. Once the baby was extracted, the staff were shocked that baby was alive. They had not been able to find a fetal heart and therefore assumed the baby was dead. We quickly rushed to the nursery and resuscitated the baby for an hour. Eventually, the baby was breathing normally and her heart was beating regularly. She was only 22-25 weeks old though, and the odds were against her. We pra*yed for a miracle and returned the next day to find that she had died a couple hours after we had left. I met Constance for the first time that day but with sky-high blood pressure and a recent operation, she wasn’t so responsive. These past couple weeks I have been able to hear her story.
Constance is a soldier. She has two jewels glued to her teeth, I don’t know what for, but she makes them look nice. She smiles as bright as the sun and loves to talk about her country and ask you questions about yours. She has one daughter named Roseline and wants so badly to have a sibling for her. Her second pregnancy was an ectopic pregnancy (to avoid another tutorial, maybe you can google that one) and this was the third pregnancy. She had never been to antenatal care and did not understand why she needed to. Her blood pressure slowly has been going down these past couple weeks since the delivery, but since then, we have been able to share with her about our lives. No one told her about her baby, so we got to tell her how much she weighed, that is was a girl and when she died. We were able to share that she is no longer suffering and that we believe she will get to meet her one day. Constance could answer any question you have about Je*sus dying for her, but I don’t know if she knows him yet. I feel blessed to know this woman of great strength and burdened for her to know the living and breathing, ever-present G*od. She shares that her heart is hurting but she knows that she must get over it. In the places where culture interferes, it can sometimes be difficult to explain and even relate how G*od wants to heal these hurting places, and that grieving is so much a part of it. It just isn’t culturally acceptable to speak of your feelings and cry.
Constance will be discharged on Monday and we are hoping to visit her village next week. Even in these times of pain, in times when the outcome isn’t the will of G*od, he can bring redemption, bring healing. This is my cry for her. I guess I am just learning how strong these woman are, when they lose a child, they are sad, but they shout for joy…even when I fully believe there is a place for grieving, they know joy and no one can deny it. I can’t ever deny that G*od will teach us through other people and their trials, when we allow our judgements or our “group” we are missing whole groups of people, we miss these small opportunities that turn into great lessons. I cannot deny that G*od is ever present in each of our lives. Oh how much I have to learn.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
a brief one.
Last Wednesday we shared as a team about the case studies we had been working on. Mine personally was about large blood loss after delivery of the baby, and following the presentation I was asked about what I had learned. I felt like I really took a hold of the importance of education, that in my particular case, this woman would have bled to death had she not returned for us to withdraw the remaining blood clots.
The next day I was in antenatal care and was given the chance to do the teaching. I felt immediately prompted to teach about the stage of labour when the placenta is delivered even though this is an uncommon topic to be taught to the pregnant mums. I shared with the women the steps that would happen after they delivered their babies, we talked about the shots they would receive, the procedures that would occur, how much blood could possibly be lost. That day as I checked each women, they were inquisitive, asking questions about their antenatal cards, what each category meant, etc. They were taking hold of the education they had been given and felt like there was space to ask and receive answers.
The following Monday, one of the women delivered her baby and lost too much blood. She knew exactly what to do and she was prepared. When I found this out, I had such peace of mind. I felt such gratitude to G*od that before she experienced what could have been a scary situation, she was prepared by knowing how much blood was too much and she could expect what needed to happen. When I followed up with her case, she was so happy and grateful for the safe delivery of her baby girl. I believe that education is the beginning of empowering women and transforming nations and a piece of that occurred on this day of caring for pregnant mums.
The next day I was in antenatal care and was given the chance to do the teaching. I felt immediately prompted to teach about the stage of labour when the placenta is delivered even though this is an uncommon topic to be taught to the pregnant mums. I shared with the women the steps that would happen after they delivered their babies, we talked about the shots they would receive, the procedures that would occur, how much blood could possibly be lost. That day as I checked each women, they were inquisitive, asking questions about their antenatal cards, what each category meant, etc. They were taking hold of the education they had been given and felt like there was space to ask and receive answers.
The following Monday, one of the women delivered her baby and lost too much blood. She knew exactly what to do and she was prepared. When I found this out, I had such peace of mind. I felt such gratitude to G*od that before she experienced what could have been a scary situation, she was prepared by knowing how much blood was too much and she could expect what needed to happen. When I followed up with her case, she was so happy and grateful for the safe delivery of her baby girl. I believe that education is the beginning of empowering women and transforming nations and a piece of that occurred on this day of caring for pregnant mums.
Monday, February 16, 2009
someone has a case of the mondays.
Not a spare moment was there this weekend to write or head to the internet. So here I am on the evening of my father’s birthday, oceans away from him, awaiting the fancy surprise Valentine’s meal that Sarah is preparing for our team. We decided that we would celebrate the holiday weekend by serving the team in some fashion. After our dinner, I will unveil a little video/slideshow that I have been working on for them. This weekend our second case study was due and I was on “afternoon” chopping, which lasted until the evening on Saturday. I am wondering where the weekend went.
This morning at church I had the chance to share a testimony with the people. It is customary to have a song, testimony and introductions prepared when you visit a church, unless you can successfully wing it ten times out of ten. It was my turn today. So after we embarrassed ourselves with a rendition of “Cannot Hide My Love” (which I laughed the whole way through because it was too low for anyone to sing along to and a man from the church thought it was a good idea to play along with the keyboard which sounded horrible). With little time to recover, I giggled my way up to the microphone to share a story from the week.
On Friday in the labour room, a woman walked in with her belongings and sat down at the desk with the midwives. I peered in briefly and thought she must be visiting the midwives and went back to helping Melisa monitor her labouring mom. The next thing I know, she is being examined in the first stage room. I walked in, confused, and decided in my head that she wasn’t dilated, she was an inexperienced primi who was having Braxton Hicks contractions because there is no way a labouring woman could be so calm, cool and collected. The midwife finished and I asked her findings, 5 cm dilated. Absolutely astonished by this peppy third time mother, I read up on her antenatal care and introduced myself to her. She insisted on wearing the outfit she had on, fetching her own cannula and drugs and sitting up. There was nothing the midwives could really say to a woman completely in her right mind, as relaxed as someone who was on their lunch break. I began to monitor her and was able to fully engage in conversation. She shared about herself, past pregnancies and that she used to be a missionary but had to stop because her husband didn’t like it. I asked her more about her husband and she said that he wasn’t living with her at the time, that he had left her and her two children and that she had no family that lived close by. We spent some time in pra*yer for this sitation and then we timed her contractions (four contraction 20-40 seconds long for those of you moms who are completely disgusted by her composure at this point). Shortly after, Melisa’s mom pushed out her baby and I left my mom. About a half hour later, I returned to continue monitoring. She was looking more distressed and having four, 60 second contractions which clued me in that she was progressing quickly. She had told me previously that the moment her waters broke, she had her babies. After the monitoring of contractions, she became a bit on edge and said that something was coming out. I asked Paula to get a birth kit and for a student nurse to grab a nappy. Within five minutes, her baby was out. I lifted the baby up for mom to see and as we do, said, “What do you have mommy?” She started crying and said “a girl”. She cried out for Go*d to have mercy and said “My husband will not accept this”. I handed the lovely, screaming girl to Melisa and turned back to the mom. She shared that her husband said he would return to her if she had a boy, otherwise she was on her own. She sobbed while I delivered the placenta and we cleaned her up. We spent some time praying with her, asking for wisdom. Later we were able to break off rejection and pray for the baby to be a unifying factor in the family.
Usually, at the earliest, a mom will leave 1 ½ hours after they deliver from the maternity ward. Within 20 minutes of delivering, she was breast feeding, within 30 minutes, she had showered and paid her fees. We asked her if anyone was coming to help her, since usually there are at least four people per labouring mom in the waiting area, she said that her friend was coming. We offered to make up a bed for her in postnatal and she said she would come along, so the three of us, plus baby wandered down to postnatal and she chose a bed. I looked at all the moms who were laying in pajamas relaxing or sleeping or reclining while conversing, as they should be, and here is this lovely abnormal woman, prancing in, comparing the quality of the beds and has delivered an hour ago.
The day closed by her asking us to call her husband so that he could come and pay the remaining bills and him refusing when he found out it was a girl. Anyway, the story doesn't have a happy ending yet. I guess I just felt like sometimes Je*sus can be disguised as anyone. She was fully capable and still needing a lot of help. G*od really takes seriously the call to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsy. The women here have a great sense of community, when they saw the white men were helping her make her bed and she had no one with her, they gave her some food and welcomed her and her baby. It all seems so unfair. She doesn't deserve to suffer this burden. We left her around 5:30 and have continued to pr*ay for her while the thought of sheep and goats and suffering continue to dance through my head.
Anyway, now it is Monday afternoon and I am able to update you! If I could ask you to pr*ay for Robyn, she is sick with salmonella paratyphoid. Anna, she has been sick for the past month and is still not getting her energy back. Overall, for the team we have been fighting for more deliveries and not seeing an increase, if you join us in prayer for this, so we learn the necessary skills to becoming a G*od fearing midwife. Thank you all. Blessings to you!
This morning at church I had the chance to share a testimony with the people. It is customary to have a song, testimony and introductions prepared when you visit a church, unless you can successfully wing it ten times out of ten. It was my turn today. So after we embarrassed ourselves with a rendition of “Cannot Hide My Love” (which I laughed the whole way through because it was too low for anyone to sing along to and a man from the church thought it was a good idea to play along with the keyboard which sounded horrible). With little time to recover, I giggled my way up to the microphone to share a story from the week.
On Friday in the labour room, a woman walked in with her belongings and sat down at the desk with the midwives. I peered in briefly and thought she must be visiting the midwives and went back to helping Melisa monitor her labouring mom. The next thing I know, she is being examined in the first stage room. I walked in, confused, and decided in my head that she wasn’t dilated, she was an inexperienced primi who was having Braxton Hicks contractions because there is no way a labouring woman could be so calm, cool and collected. The midwife finished and I asked her findings, 5 cm dilated. Absolutely astonished by this peppy third time mother, I read up on her antenatal care and introduced myself to her. She insisted on wearing the outfit she had on, fetching her own cannula and drugs and sitting up. There was nothing the midwives could really say to a woman completely in her right mind, as relaxed as someone who was on their lunch break. I began to monitor her and was able to fully engage in conversation. She shared about herself, past pregnancies and that she used to be a missionary but had to stop because her husband didn’t like it. I asked her more about her husband and she said that he wasn’t living with her at the time, that he had left her and her two children and that she had no family that lived close by. We spent some time in pra*yer for this sitation and then we timed her contractions (four contraction 20-40 seconds long for those of you moms who are completely disgusted by her composure at this point). Shortly after, Melisa’s mom pushed out her baby and I left my mom. About a half hour later, I returned to continue monitoring. She was looking more distressed and having four, 60 second contractions which clued me in that she was progressing quickly. She had told me previously that the moment her waters broke, she had her babies. After the monitoring of contractions, she became a bit on edge and said that something was coming out. I asked Paula to get a birth kit and for a student nurse to grab a nappy. Within five minutes, her baby was out. I lifted the baby up for mom to see and as we do, said, “What do you have mommy?” She started crying and said “a girl”. She cried out for Go*d to have mercy and said “My husband will not accept this”. I handed the lovely, screaming girl to Melisa and turned back to the mom. She shared that her husband said he would return to her if she had a boy, otherwise she was on her own. She sobbed while I delivered the placenta and we cleaned her up. We spent some time praying with her, asking for wisdom. Later we were able to break off rejection and pray for the baby to be a unifying factor in the family.
Usually, at the earliest, a mom will leave 1 ½ hours after they deliver from the maternity ward. Within 20 minutes of delivering, she was breast feeding, within 30 minutes, she had showered and paid her fees. We asked her if anyone was coming to help her, since usually there are at least four people per labouring mom in the waiting area, she said that her friend was coming. We offered to make up a bed for her in postnatal and she said she would come along, so the three of us, plus baby wandered down to postnatal and she chose a bed. I looked at all the moms who were laying in pajamas relaxing or sleeping or reclining while conversing, as they should be, and here is this lovely abnormal woman, prancing in, comparing the quality of the beds and has delivered an hour ago.
The day closed by her asking us to call her husband so that he could come and pay the remaining bills and him refusing when he found out it was a girl. Anyway, the story doesn't have a happy ending yet. I guess I just felt like sometimes Je*sus can be disguised as anyone. She was fully capable and still needing a lot of help. G*od really takes seriously the call to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsy. The women here have a great sense of community, when they saw the white men were helping her make her bed and she had no one with her, they gave her some food and welcomed her and her baby. It all seems so unfair. She doesn't deserve to suffer this burden. We left her around 5:30 and have continued to pr*ay for her while the thought of sheep and goats and suffering continue to dance through my head.
Anyway, now it is Monday afternoon and I am able to update you! If I could ask you to pr*ay for Robyn, she is sick with salmonella paratyphoid. Anna, she has been sick for the past month and is still not getting her energy back. Overall, for the team we have been fighting for more deliveries and not seeing an increase, if you join us in prayer for this, so we learn the necessary skills to becoming a G*od fearing midwife. Thank you all. Blessings to you!
Saturday, February 07, 2009
newsletter/exciting news :)
I feel settled here in Cameroon. There are those daily lulls where I wonder what I should be doing like you have when you are at home, there are the days when I come home beat from the hospital and think I would like to have a little holiday and some days I think, what could be better than this?
Each Friday, depending on if it is your turn, you are allowed the chance to visit the moms that you have delivered. Yesterday was my first home visit day. Sarah and I began by visiting a woman who had her baby at four months and the baby girl lived for 1 ½ hours. She had looked so sickly the first two times that we saw her due to malaria, but yesterday she had a glow of joy and health. She was talking with us and served us white beans and plantains. We parted after a short visit and encouraged her to come and visit us soon.
Later we headed to Mercy’s house, the mother of five who delivered a brow presentation (impossible according to the books) baby with the cord twice around the neck. She was so happy the see us and quickly handed me Ransem, the baby boy when we sat down. I think they had intended for us to stay all night long. When we first arrived Mercy came out briefly but then showered herself and came and got Ransem and bathed him, not exactly what my culture would do when guests arrive. They then served us a meal of bitter leaf greens (Jama Jama), fried fish and fufu corn (consistency of cooling cream of wheat, but made from corn) while her husband went to purchase drinks. He arrived back with 24 bottled drinks and said that we would be full by the time we left. Already feeling full, I laughed and then realized, they might be planning on us staying a little longer than we were. This also confirmed that I still have so much to learn about etiquette. Later, Mercy lead us down to their water source and also showed us to their farm/garden. The community has plots of land that they farm and then sell the vegetables, herbs and goods in the market. She was disappointed when we told that we needed to leave but at the possibility of us coming again she seemed comforted. Sarah and I rode home through the dusty roads on a motorbike in our African outfits and talked about how amazing the day had been.
Our time in Cameroon so far has been difficult and exciting. Culturally, I am seeing there is so much more to learn. I am blessed by the sense of community, it is the only option here; community antenatal care, delivering in a room of two other labouring women, 20 women in the same postnatal room, everyone caring for another, learning from one another. It brings me back to the unity that God intends for us.
This week was an especially difficult one, we found out that Connie, one of my roommates/classmates/hospital mates for the past seven months had decided to go home. She felt God was leading her in a different direction and that her new ministry was to bring the church into her Norwegian home. We said farewell with much pain yesterday morning.
Thank you all for you constant support and encouragement that you give. As you have supported me greatly, I want to share with you my commitment to come back to Perth in July to staff the Birth Attendant School for two years. I see G*od’s great calling for justice through our school and want to continue being a part of training and raising up G*od-fearing midwives to transform the nations. I will keep sharing more as the updates continue.
Bless you!
G*od is moving mightily through our team and I am blessed to be a part.
Each Friday, depending on if it is your turn, you are allowed the chance to visit the moms that you have delivered. Yesterday was my first home visit day. Sarah and I began by visiting a woman who had her baby at four months and the baby girl lived for 1 ½ hours. She had looked so sickly the first two times that we saw her due to malaria, but yesterday she had a glow of joy and health. She was talking with us and served us white beans and plantains. We parted after a short visit and encouraged her to come and visit us soon.
Later we headed to Mercy’s house, the mother of five who delivered a brow presentation (impossible according to the books) baby with the cord twice around the neck. She was so happy the see us and quickly handed me Ransem, the baby boy when we sat down. I think they had intended for us to stay all night long. When we first arrived Mercy came out briefly but then showered herself and came and got Ransem and bathed him, not exactly what my culture would do when guests arrive. They then served us a meal of bitter leaf greens (Jama Jama), fried fish and fufu corn (consistency of cooling cream of wheat, but made from corn) while her husband went to purchase drinks. He arrived back with 24 bottled drinks and said that we would be full by the time we left. Already feeling full, I laughed and then realized, they might be planning on us staying a little longer than we were. This also confirmed that I still have so much to learn about etiquette. Later, Mercy lead us down to their water source and also showed us to their farm/garden. The community has plots of land that they farm and then sell the vegetables, herbs and goods in the market. She was disappointed when we told that we needed to leave but at the possibility of us coming again she seemed comforted. Sarah and I rode home through the dusty roads on a motorbike in our African outfits and talked about how amazing the day had been.
Our time in Cameroon so far has been difficult and exciting. Culturally, I am seeing there is so much more to learn. I am blessed by the sense of community, it is the only option here; community antenatal care, delivering in a room of two other labouring women, 20 women in the same postnatal room, everyone caring for another, learning from one another. It brings me back to the unity that God intends for us.
This week was an especially difficult one, we found out that Connie, one of my roommates/classmates/hospital mates for the past seven months had decided to go home. She felt God was leading her in a different direction and that her new ministry was to bring the church into her Norwegian home. We said farewell with much pain yesterday morning.
Thank you all for you constant support and encouragement that you give. As you have supported me greatly, I want to share with you my commitment to come back to Perth in July to staff the Birth Attendant School for two years. I see G*od’s great calling for justice through our school and want to continue being a part of training and raising up G*od-fearing midwives to transform the nations. I will keep sharing more as the updates continue.
Bless you!
G*od is moving mightily through our team and I am blessed to be a part.
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