Hello everyone! Another week has come to a close with a brand new one opening to fresh experiences and opportunities!! And if you ask Shane Johnson, this is the new year- the beginning of September! Back to school for many means packing lunches, watching for school buses, driving kids to school, homework, and for some who have forgotten- a schedule! :)And I'm sure the phrase "My this summer has gone by sooo fast!!!" will be thrown around a lot in the next little bit!! Looking back on my summer I don't know if I could put in the categories of being either fast or slow, but its definitely been a full and life changing one!! I mean, I'm here and your there. Yeah...that's life changing!:)
As you've probably already noticed by the title, last week was my first week of clinical work! Currently our class is simply shadowing and observing for the first little while. So Monday for me started off with shadowing Lois for prenatal exams. There are prenatal appointments every morning, however, Monday is the day we receive new patients. A typical Monday morning sees through about 50-80 new patients! For those scheduled to do prenatal exams, they meet together at 7:45 for a 15 min devotion with just the staff. By 8:00 all the patients have arrived and we sing and have a devotion with them, followed by a heath class for them. At 9:00 we start the prenatal exams. The duration of this shift depends on the amount of patients and number of complication that are being dealt with.
Tuesday I shadowed Ate (pronounced at-eh. which means older sister) Bebeing who gave me the heads up on how Birth Certificates are completed etc.
Wednesday was my first birth room shift!! I was on day shift (6-2:00). At 7 a girl came in who was having frequent contractions. By 8:10 the baby was out! Wow! I followed Stephanie around as she did the after-birth procedures and baby check. At 11ish another girl came in and had her baby a few minutes after I got in the room! So I was able to witness two births on my first shift! :) The experiences were so amazing and beautiful that it brought tears to my eyes.
Thursday night was my night shift. This one was a breeze since nothing happened and we were able to sleep most of the night in the lounge! :)
Tomorrow just happens to be the big day of our first assignment!! That's when the work bomb will be dropped! :)iyiyi!! I am so thankful that I have the Lord as my guide and help! With Him nothing is impossible! Please pray that I'll be diligent, seeking only His good pleasure! After all, I'm nothing without Him!
Well better get going...I've got an appointment with my bed that I can't be late for! :)
Have a good and Godly week!
-Sarah
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Outing with Filipino Staff
Good morning!...well it's morning here now.
Below I posted some pictures from last Saturday's outing with the Filipino staff here at the clinic. Seems to me that this day is a traditional day trip planned for each new group of students that come. Let me tell ya, these ladies are wonderful, full of fun, and love to laugh! I am blessed to have some of them as my supervisors! A few are also students who are doing their training in another school, but their practical here.
At 10:00 in the morning twenty-four of us piled into a jeepney heading out on an unknown adventure! The Filipino staff had planned a whole day of different activities to give us a taste of their culture.
First stop was the Japanese tunnel dug out by the Philippines during WWII.
Second stop was a place that overlooked Davao City (we were still in Davao). There was a restaurant there where we did a little karaoke with each other! Filipino's love karaoke, and it was fun watching them! :)
We were then invited to go up into the restaurant where they had a whole table set for us! YUMMY food! And this time I stayed clear away from the crazy red peppers! Now that I can laugh about it, I'll tell you my pepper story! :P A few days after we arrived here, a big group of us went out for supper at this busy, little restaurant. By each plate was a little dish with a very tiny red pepper and a lime. Somebody mentioned that the peppers must be hot, and I thought hmmm, I wonder how hot it could be. Well you ask my family, and they'll tell you that I can't take any spicy foods! Anyways, silly me picked up the pepper, broke it in half, rubbed my finger in it and put in on the tip of my tongue. That's when the others noticed me going crazy. I grabbed the other girls waters, but the crazy thing was that I still had it all over my hands and I kept rubbing my face. After a few seconds my face felt like it was on fire! No joke, it felt like someone was burning my face. So in desperation I took the rice on my plate and kept rubbing it on my face. The waiter noticed and brought a bowl of sugar which I quickly dug my face into. It's funny, in the Philippine culture, in order to "cover your shame", if something embarrassing happens to you, everyone looks away. So everyone was looking away, but I'm sure they all wanted to laugh. Being a whole group of white girls, I decided we were creating enough attention as it was! Anyways, the poor girls didn't know whether to laugh or feel sorry for me as I sat there for the rest of the time with sugar and rice all over my face! Never again- I have learned my lesson! :)
So back to our day out, after lunch they took us back to the city center where they were holding a week long festival. As you can see in the pictures, they sure go all out with their festivals!
Last of all, they brought us to the shore, where we "enjoyed" a few Filipino treats. Did I say enjoy? Well... The durian fruit was definitely interesting! It's one of those things were you eat it once and that's all. :P
When they brought out the balut I thought I was going to be sick...and I did- I mean I was! I didn't even get to the embryo part of the egg! Afterwards I was talking with Julie, and we decided that we weren't too upset that our bodies didn't have to bother with the trouble of digesting it. ugh!
So that was our day- Crazy and fun! It was neat getting to know the staff a little more, and I look forward to getting closer to each of them! They really are a wonderful group of ladies, whose faces shine with the love of the Lord!
Well, time to sign out!
Have a great and Godly weekend!
much love,
Sarah
Below I posted some pictures from last Saturday's outing with the Filipino staff here at the clinic. Seems to me that this day is a traditional day trip planned for each new group of students that come. Let me tell ya, these ladies are wonderful, full of fun, and love to laugh! I am blessed to have some of them as my supervisors! A few are also students who are doing their training in another school, but their practical here.
At 10:00 in the morning twenty-four of us piled into a jeepney heading out on an unknown adventure! The Filipino staff had planned a whole day of different activities to give us a taste of their culture.
First stop was the Japanese tunnel dug out by the Philippines during WWII.
Second stop was a place that overlooked Davao City (we were still in Davao). There was a restaurant there where we did a little karaoke with each other! Filipino's love karaoke, and it was fun watching them! :)
We were then invited to go up into the restaurant where they had a whole table set for us! YUMMY food! And this time I stayed clear away from the crazy red peppers! Now that I can laugh about it, I'll tell you my pepper story! :P A few days after we arrived here, a big group of us went out for supper at this busy, little restaurant. By each plate was a little dish with a very tiny red pepper and a lime. Somebody mentioned that the peppers must be hot, and I thought hmmm, I wonder how hot it could be. Well you ask my family, and they'll tell you that I can't take any spicy foods! Anyways, silly me picked up the pepper, broke it in half, rubbed my finger in it and put in on the tip of my tongue. That's when the others noticed me going crazy. I grabbed the other girls waters, but the crazy thing was that I still had it all over my hands and I kept rubbing my face. After a few seconds my face felt like it was on fire! No joke, it felt like someone was burning my face. So in desperation I took the rice on my plate and kept rubbing it on my face. The waiter noticed and brought a bowl of sugar which I quickly dug my face into. It's funny, in the Philippine culture, in order to "cover your shame", if something embarrassing happens to you, everyone looks away. So everyone was looking away, but I'm sure they all wanted to laugh. Being a whole group of white girls, I decided we were creating enough attention as it was! Anyways, the poor girls didn't know whether to laugh or feel sorry for me as I sat there for the rest of the time with sugar and rice all over my face! Never again- I have learned my lesson! :)
So back to our day out, after lunch they took us back to the city center where they were holding a week long festival. As you can see in the pictures, they sure go all out with their festivals!
Last of all, they brought us to the shore, where we "enjoyed" a few Filipino treats. Did I say enjoy? Well... The durian fruit was definitely interesting! It's one of those things were you eat it once and that's all. :P
When they brought out the balut I thought I was going to be sick...and I did- I mean I was! I didn't even get to the embryo part of the egg! Afterwards I was talking with Julie, and we decided that we weren't too upset that our bodies didn't have to bother with the trouble of digesting it. ugh!
So that was our day- Crazy and fun! It was neat getting to know the staff a little more, and I look forward to getting closer to each of them! They really are a wonderful group of ladies, whose faces shine with the love of the Lord!
Well, time to sign out!
Have a great and Godly weekend!
much love,
Sarah
Day trip with Filipino Staff
Click on Photo
Friday, August 22, 2008
Outland Adventure...Testing your bravery!
Hello All... Maayong Buntag- Good morning! Yes, we've started the language (Cebuano or Visayon) lessons, and it's proving to be quite the language with crazy rules, sounds and all of the above! I'm Looking forward to grasping it, and better yet- speaking it! :) One day...
So, below I've posted pictures of the crazy but fun time we enjoyed yesterday! The location is Outland Adventure here in Davao (kinda outside the city). A little side note: Davao city is the largest city in the world, geographically speaking!
The pictures speak for itself, but I'll give you a little of the history the park. Outland Aventure was designed and constructed by Matt, the director of Mercy Maturnity Clinic. He claims that the clinic is Kry's baby and the park is his! :) For a long time now he has had a vision to start a ropes course. The foundation of the park is an incrediable one! The land this park is on was amazingly donated by another Christian man. However as they began to clear the land, they realized that the trees were not big enough to hold the cables, and the only option was phone poles. To make a long story short, the head of the phone company here (a very intimidating man), had been on a ropes course in the States and when he found out about the plan, donated the phone pulls plus did all the work in constructing it!
The park has since been used for youth camps, leading many youth from off the streets to come to know the Lord. And as Matt would put it, "They don't just say the sinner's prayer, they make commitments!"
It was a joy to see (and feel :)) this ministry! And as you seen from the pictures, it was a test of how brave I could be! :-P Maybe if I tell my brothers that they can ride the biggest zipline in Asia they'll come visit me....!??! :)
Well that's all for today folks, especially since "today" is almost up! Yikes!
By the way, don't expect too many more of such posts... Starting Monday it's going to be hardcore work - don't worry Dad! ;-)
-Sarah
So, below I've posted pictures of the crazy but fun time we enjoyed yesterday! The location is Outland Adventure here in Davao (kinda outside the city). A little side note: Davao city is the largest city in the world, geographically speaking!
The pictures speak for itself, but I'll give you a little of the history the park. Outland Aventure was designed and constructed by Matt, the director of Mercy Maturnity Clinic. He claims that the clinic is Kry's baby and the park is his! :) For a long time now he has had a vision to start a ropes course. The foundation of the park is an incrediable one! The land this park is on was amazingly donated by another Christian man. However as they began to clear the land, they realized that the trees were not big enough to hold the cables, and the only option was phone poles. To make a long story short, the head of the phone company here (a very intimidating man), had been on a ropes course in the States and when he found out about the plan, donated the phone pulls plus did all the work in constructing it!
The park has since been used for youth camps, leading many youth from off the streets to come to know the Lord. And as Matt would put it, "They don't just say the sinner's prayer, they make commitments!"
It was a joy to see (and feel :)) this ministry! And as you seen from the pictures, it was a test of how brave I could be! :-P Maybe if I tell my brothers that they can ride the biggest zipline in Asia they'll come visit me....!??! :)
Well that's all for today folks, especially since "today" is almost up! Yikes!
By the way, don't expect too many more of such posts... Starting Monday it's going to be hardcore work - don't worry Dad! ;-)
-Sarah
Outland Adventure!
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Welcome to the Philippines!
After months of planning and weeks of packing and saying goodbye I find myself at my destination: Davao City, Philippines, or more specifically Newlife International School of Midwifery. I look around me at this new place, new country, new culture, new calling, and new climate (I have to add that one :)), and am amazed at how unique and unexpected this path is that God has chosen for me to take. I was the girl who had decided postsecondary school was not for me, had no intentions of going to a far mission field, or even leave Canada and the family for that matter. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways declares the LORD.” So here I am in this strange new place, excited and thrilled at this opportunity not only to become a midwife, but also to abound in the work of the Lord, for we know that our labor is not in vain in the Lord!
Well here I am! After a few hops, skips, and jumps I arrived at this side of the planet. Wow! The group I traveled with (ten of us, and one from Switzerland who met us here) will be my new classmates. For two years we will live, eat, sleep, work, cry, laugh, and study together…. So yes, you can feel sorry for them! :) They really are a wonderful group, and I’m very excited to get to know each one of them! The staff, directors, and second year students who met us here are really a great bunch as well! I am blessed to be apart of this crew here! They are being very patient with us as we begin to experience this new culture! And it definitely has been an experience thus far!
The Climate! The first thing that welcomed me and reminded me I was somewhere near the equator! And it continues to remind me, even when I’m half asleep and unaware of where I am! :) They tell me you get use to it- I sure can’t wait!
Davao City! Crazy and crowded are two good words to describe it! Far cry from my little village, Mt Pleasant! It’s a different mix of malls, shacks, coffee shops, and markets! Traffic is insane- really! The main public transportations are jeepneys and motorbikes. I’ll be sure to post pictures of both!
The Orange Dorm: My home!:) It’s continually buzzing with 15 girls (the rest are in the green dorm beside us)! It’s one big community! I’m sure at times it will house many different moods!:) My roommates are Jordan, Joy and Kinshawsa – three great girls! Two are also from families of twelve, and the other is a fellow Canadian!
Meals: Water, water and more water! Yes, we survive the humidity with lots of water! Breakfast and lunch are self-provided, and suppers are taken care of by designated teams each week. Fresh fruit, especially mangos, are simply delicious and come in abundance...and rice is the staple food. Oh, and Sarah has learned not to touch the tiny red pepper found in little dishes at some restaurants- an embarrassing and dramatic experience! Ask me if you really want the story!
Shopping: A whole new experience! One thing you learn fast in this culture is that it’s a shame to be alone anywhere! If you go into the store alone, they will surround you to “protect your shame of being alone!” The first day we were here, Krys (the director) took us shopping at the mall. I never knew that checking out your goods could be a whole event! They heat-seal, tape and staple your bags! While we were at the cash, a song came on and all the employees stopped what they were doing and started dancing! Hey, I think the Windmill should do that too! ;o)
School and Clinical: So far we’ve been given time to get over the trip and get settled in! Monday and Tuesday we started orientation at resort nearby. In between sessions we were able to go swimming and snorkeling! Very spoiled I must say! Today we started language (Visayon) lessons, and will finish our orientation tonight. Clinical will start Monday, and school will start the week after that. So, I still have much to experience and see! Sorry for the lengthy post! I don’t think you’ll be seeing many more that are this long- we shall see! I will keep you posted though, and will try to get pictures up ASAP.
I sure miss everyone back at home!! You guys are never far from my heart and mind! Keep me updated- hearing from home is what helps to keep me going! :o) Till next time!
With much love, Sarah
Well here I am! After a few hops, skips, and jumps I arrived at this side of the planet. Wow! The group I traveled with (ten of us, and one from Switzerland who met us here) will be my new classmates. For two years we will live, eat, sleep, work, cry, laugh, and study together…. So yes, you can feel sorry for them! :) They really are a wonderful group, and I’m very excited to get to know each one of them! The staff, directors, and second year students who met us here are really a great bunch as well! I am blessed to be apart of this crew here! They are being very patient with us as we begin to experience this new culture! And it definitely has been an experience thus far!
The Climate! The first thing that welcomed me and reminded me I was somewhere near the equator! And it continues to remind me, even when I’m half asleep and unaware of where I am! :) They tell me you get use to it- I sure can’t wait!
Davao City! Crazy and crowded are two good words to describe it! Far cry from my little village, Mt Pleasant! It’s a different mix of malls, shacks, coffee shops, and markets! Traffic is insane- really! The main public transportations are jeepneys and motorbikes. I’ll be sure to post pictures of both!
The Orange Dorm: My home!:) It’s continually buzzing with 15 girls (the rest are in the green dorm beside us)! It’s one big community! I’m sure at times it will house many different moods!:) My roommates are Jordan, Joy and Kinshawsa – three great girls! Two are also from families of twelve, and the other is a fellow Canadian!
Meals: Water, water and more water! Yes, we survive the humidity with lots of water! Breakfast and lunch are self-provided, and suppers are taken care of by designated teams each week. Fresh fruit, especially mangos, are simply delicious and come in abundance...and rice is the staple food. Oh, and Sarah has learned not to touch the tiny red pepper found in little dishes at some restaurants- an embarrassing and dramatic experience! Ask me if you really want the story!
Shopping: A whole new experience! One thing you learn fast in this culture is that it’s a shame to be alone anywhere! If you go into the store alone, they will surround you to “protect your shame of being alone!” The first day we were here, Krys (the director) took us shopping at the mall. I never knew that checking out your goods could be a whole event! They heat-seal, tape and staple your bags! While we were at the cash, a song came on and all the employees stopped what they were doing and started dancing! Hey, I think the Windmill should do that too! ;o)
School and Clinical: So far we’ve been given time to get over the trip and get settled in! Monday and Tuesday we started orientation at resort nearby. In between sessions we were able to go swimming and snorkeling! Very spoiled I must say! Today we started language (Visayon) lessons, and will finish our orientation tonight. Clinical will start Monday, and school will start the week after that. So, I still have much to experience and see! Sorry for the lengthy post! I don’t think you’ll be seeing many more that are this long- we shall see! I will keep you posted though, and will try to get pictures up ASAP.
I sure miss everyone back at home!! You guys are never far from my heart and mind! Keep me updated- hearing from home is what helps to keep me going! :o) Till next time!
With much love, Sarah
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
