Life in the Philippines

A short video I put together of my life in the Philippines...
Dedicated: To the Creator of life, Who led me to this place. To my family and friends who through their prayers and support made this experience possible. To my midwife sisters, for making the most challenging experience (yet ;)) of my life one of the most beautiful.
For: Those who care to share in the memory of this journey. And to those interested in NISM- as I recall the days when I searched high and low for any bits and pieces of information I could get on this program! :)
Enjoy

Another Chapter

It's my first time to blog as an official CPM (Certified Professional Midwife), and boy does is sure feel good! :)
I've wondered whether or not I should continue to blog. After all, it's called "The Philippines: A New Chapter" and that chapter has closed. Yet in many ways I feel as though the past several months are still very much connected to that phase of my life. So I'll continue to write, dedicating this next part to not only those who can relate with the experiences that reverse culture shock/adjustments may bring, but also to anyone who cares to share in this part of my journey...If for anything, I write this for my own record, seeing as I fail at keeping a journal! :)
If hadn't believed in reverse culture shock before, I certainly do now. And for those who claim it is "stranger" than culture shock, I now understand what they are talking about; simply because it is strange!

When I first came home, I was thrilled to be reunited with family and friends; experiencing their love and affection made me wonder how I had ever left! :) And than things started settling down, and I realized I needed to "get back into the swing of life here." And that's when the feeling of loneliness arrived. I was HOME- a place where I should easily fit back into, but I didn't really feel like I did so well. It wasn't just that so much had changed here in the span of two years, but I had changed as well. I know change, if it's for the better, is a healthy part of life, but for me it is also one of the most difficult parts.

I remember the first time I was alone at the Windmill, I had a good cry. It was probably the first time I had been left alone in past two years! I couldn't explain why I was crying, but if sure felt good! :)

I didn't wait long before I threw myself back into work and Church activities. My fellow midwife friends had all advised me to take a long enough break before starting work, but I figured it would help me find my place here again. To a certain degree it did, however, I really should have listened to them! ;) I reckon you live and learn...

To be honest with you, the transition was smoother than I had expected. It didn't take too long before this place felt like home again- except in a new way. It's hard when people you love move on, but God has given so much grace, and has been so patient with me as I once again learn to accept another chapter. I often tend to hang onto the past, yet He calls us to go forward- pressing towards the mark of the high calling. So I'll continue to go on with joy, fully trusting the One who is holding my hand...

The closing of a Chapter

July 24:
The bags are packed, the closet is empty, and the desk is cleared off. Was that two years? Yes, even though time flies, its been two full years of experiences and lessons I could never completely express in words. How I will miss this place...
As I walk around the city, I realize how familiarized I've become with this place which was once so strange and overwhelming. The crazy traffic no longer fazes me, nor do I wonder what is around the next corner. In many ways the Filipino culture has become a normal way of life.
Yesterday I worked my last shift- it was a sad day. It's amazing how much a place can change with experience and time. I remember in the beginning feeling very overwhelmed and quite incapable of ever becoming a confident midwife. Being someone who didn't even know how to take a blood pressure, I had a long way to go. But God was so faithful and has brought me so far. I'm excited to continue this process of learning... I love being a midwife!

But this place has taught me so much more than just becoming a midwife. It has changed my outlook on life, and has touched my heart in ways I could have never imagined. I know I'll never be the same again, and I only hope and pray that God will never let me forget what He has taught me in this chapter of life.
I think one of the hardest parts of life is saying goodbye. I felt this reality once again as I hugged so many people goodbye, unsure of whether I will ever see them again on this side of heaven. Then there were my midwife sisters; girls who have been there with me through many laughter and tears. I will miss them 'somethin fierce!' :) I was so privileged and blessed to be apart of this class. I have a feeling I'll see them all again at some point or another, but I know leaving means we will lose something special we had- something I can only give to God seeing His plans are perfect.
I know leaving also means I will be back home to my family and friends who I love beyond words. So with very mixed emotions I come to the close of this chapter. It has been an amazing journey, an experience I will always cherish. And now, who knows what the next chapter will hold... but that's the exiting part of life! Especially when we can trust the Author and Finisher of our faith!

To God be the glory

Primary Health Care Outreaches with Cathy

I'm not sure if I wrote earlier in this blog about the primary health classes and outreaches we've been doing for the past month or so. Cathy, who is a missionary PA and has her masters in Primary Health, has been our amazing teacher and instructor! We've been having two classes a week, and then on Saturdays we go out and do medical outreaches to put into practice what we've learned. We would contact churches in the extremely poor areas of town, and would then set up a clinic there for anyone needing medical attention or for anyone with complaints or concerns. As students, we would get the patients history, do a physical examination and attempt to diagnosis the problem. Cathy would then evaluate our assessment. For certain complications we had a pharmacy set up that we could dispense medication for treatment. Otherwise we would either talk to them about lifestyle changes or inform them that their problem was beyond our scope of care. It was definitely a good challenging and often quite overwhelming- but we learned so much! At one clinic we saw around 200 patients!
Here are a few of the pictures from some of the outreaches....

On our first outreach, one of the first patients happened to be a little boy that I had delivered last year! What a a surprise!!! :)
Lots and lots of people! :)
The amazing Cathy!! :)
Caring for a baby with Impetigo
Our little pharmacy we took turns running :) We gave away free meds after the person was prayed for by Filipino Christians from the church there
Subjective-Objective-Assessment-Plan :) :)
The most important/essential part of the outreaches

Celebration!!!!!!!

YEEHAW!!!! We wrote the final exam here, and all passed!!! Thank you Jesus!!!!! We have to write the board exam in the States yet, and then we'll be completely finished with our CPM's!!!! :) :) :)
So now we have one week left here to finish up our shifts, pack up our life here, and say the dreaded goodbyes!! I delivered a baby boy this morning, and wondered if he may be my last delivery for awhile... Sad thought actually!
But I'm MORE than excited about coming home!!!
Just thought I'd quickly give you the latest and greatest update! :)
You haven't heard the last from me yet on this blog. There are still a few more pages left to write.

THANK YOU all for your prayers!!!!

Till next time
SH

Crunch time!!

I remember last year watching the senior students preparing for their final exam and thinking "I'm SO glad it's not me!" And now, ready or not it's my turn! This past week I feel like pretty much every spare moment has gone into studying, and the more I study the more I figure out I don't know! :) Yesterday I had rare full day off, so Kinshasa and I took off to the beach with some text books and study material. I'm sure we were an unusual sight, sitting on the sand with our text books and notes, but since our time is limited we figured we'd kill two birds with one stone. It was actually an ideal location to study, with the soft breeze and relaxing atmosphere. Today I have yet to study as I had clinic, two classes and cooking duty. I had a rather painful and embarrassing accident at the market today. Being on a mission and in a hurry, I didn't pay close enough attention to where I was walking, and my one leg slipped- or more like scraped- into a drainage hole right up to my knee. At first I was completely discussed as I felt "stuff" enclose around my foot. I looked up, and noticed the people around me trying to look away- the Filipino way of "hiding my shame." But at the particular moment, I didn't care too much about shame, so I hobbled over to a vegetable stand to ask for some water. Then I started realizing how painful and swollen my leg was getting... Now I have a huge, swollen bruise, reminding me to at least spend enough time to look where I'm going! And I'm sure I gave a few people at the market a good laugh, seeing a white girl fall into a drain! :)
Well, this was my study break, so back to the books! Please pray that God would give me wisdom to know what to study, how to study, and the ability to retain it all. And that I won't hyperventilate! :) :) :) Okay, okay, I'm procrastinating! Off I go...

Taiwan

"Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to Taipei. Thank you for flying with Philippine Airline, I hope you enjoy your stay." After a hop, skip, and jump I had arrived. As I headed out the plane and through the airport, an older woman noticed me (being one of the only other white people off our flight) and came over to ask where I was going. I soon discovered she was from Holland, and so we switched over our conversation into dutch- something which I didn't expect to use in Taiwan! I didn't talk to her for too long before Adelle came, and we exchanged our first hug in two years! :)
She gave instructions to the taxi driver which I didn't understand- it was all Chinese to me- and off we went. I kept commenting on how clean and nice everything was, and Adelle had to laugh at me. It wouldn't be what people from back home would note, however, coming from the Philippines...
We had a great weekend together, zipping around the city on her scooter. I was there from Saturday till Tuesday, and we got a lot packed into that time. Adelle took me out of the city to a high point were we could see the mountains and water- it was beautiful. I especially enjoyed the weather. I was good to step out of this humidity box and enjoy the fresh, cool air.
We ate out pretty much the whole time, as it is very inexpensive and the options are endless. I almost made the mistake of tipping the cook. Adelle saved me and quickly explained that tipping anyone was inappropriate seeing it was money they had not worked for... Oh the joys of learning different cultures! :) I immediately wanted to learn the Chinese word for thank you, "Shay shay." I figured if I at least knew that one I would be safe. :) Adelle also took me to see a Buddhist temple (AMAZING work of art!); a tourist place where they sell jewelery and pottery; and downtown Taipei. On the Sunday morning I had the privilege of meeting with her church family, many of which were ironically Filipino. On Monday I was able to watch her teach both of her classes, and meet her adorable students. In order to practice their English, Adelle got each of her kindergarten kids to say something nice to me. "SaRAH--you--are--eCELlent!" :)It doesn't surprise me how attached Adelle is with them- they are so precious! I asked one little girl how she was doing, and without cracking a smile she said, "I--am--happy!" :) :) I was so glad to see that key part of Adelle's life in Taiwan.
Well, like everything in life, my trip to Taiwan came to an end. Before I knew it, we were hugging goodbye at the airport. Thank you Jesus, that one day His children will never have to say goodbye again. As our plane touched down in Davao, my mind raced with everything I need to finish up here, the biggest being the final exam. I pray to God that I will finish well. He's been with me all along and has brought me this far, I know He will remain faithful till the end.

Just another little tidbit of my life. :)
"Till next Time"
SH