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Sunday, October 26, 2008
Are ants a good source of protein?
Good day!! Me again here with a little update on how things are going. It's Sunday evening here, and I've enjoyed a restful day off after a great but crazy week!
First of all I better explain my strange title!:) One aspect of life here that I'm still trying to get use to is the ant population...they are everywhere! They get in my computer, march in lines across my bedroom walls, and invade the kitchen! I learned the hard way that leaving food out any time will quickly attract an army of ants!:( I had packed a tuna sandwich one day for my lunch at the clinic and forgot to put it in the fridge,so while I was eating I kept feeling ants crawling up my arms. After taking a closer look at my half eating sandwich I realize it was completely infested with ants! UGH!! The other girls tried to comfort me by claiming that it was simply extra protein- I still was not impressed!
So yes, this week has been crazy but good! I'm enjoying the Anatomy & Physiology class, but since it's packed into two weeks it feels as though there is barely enough time to download the info, let alone process it! :0 Tomorrow is the midterm exam, and its something I've really had to give over to the Lord as I feel so unprepared! Ask Janelle who sits beside me...She gets after me when I start stressing! haha She's a good girl! ;)
Great news! I did my first two assists yesterday on my shift!! The steps go from first observing, then charting, then assisting, then actually handling! :) So I'm getting there! Assisting involves being the second caregiver during the birth. During a birth there should be at least two midwives-one who is primary responsible and who catches the baby, and the second who assists and is responsible for the baby after it is born. I thoroughly enjoyed it!! It's so amazing to actually be right involved during the birth! Both were good births, although the second was a little more complicated as the baby needed deep suctioning.
Needless to say, it was my best shift yet! :)
Okay, I promised pictures and they finished downloading so I'll go ahead a post some.
I miss you all, but am thankful for the communication we can still enjoy!! I'm glad I don't live in the time period where leaving home meant also leaving all forms of communication!
Have a great week!! Much love to you all! :O)
First of all I better explain my strange title!:) One aspect of life here that I'm still trying to get use to is the ant population...they are everywhere! They get in my computer, march in lines across my bedroom walls, and invade the kitchen! I learned the hard way that leaving food out any time will quickly attract an army of ants!:( I had packed a tuna sandwich one day for my lunch at the clinic and forgot to put it in the fridge,so while I was eating I kept feeling ants crawling up my arms. After taking a closer look at my half eating sandwich I realize it was completely infested with ants! UGH!! The other girls tried to comfort me by claiming that it was simply extra protein- I still was not impressed!
So yes, this week has been crazy but good! I'm enjoying the Anatomy & Physiology class, but since it's packed into two weeks it feels as though there is barely enough time to download the info, let alone process it! :0 Tomorrow is the midterm exam, and its something I've really had to give over to the Lord as I feel so unprepared! Ask Janelle who sits beside me...She gets after me when I start stressing! haha She's a good girl! ;)
Great news! I did my first two assists yesterday on my shift!! The steps go from first observing, then charting, then assisting, then actually handling! :) So I'm getting there! Assisting involves being the second caregiver during the birth. During a birth there should be at least two midwives-one who is primary responsible and who catches the baby, and the second who assists and is responsible for the baby after it is born. I thoroughly enjoyed it!! It's so amazing to actually be right involved during the birth! Both were good births, although the second was a little more complicated as the baby needed deep suctioning.
Needless to say, it was my best shift yet! :)
Okay, I promised pictures and they finished downloading so I'll go ahead a post some.
I miss you all, but am thankful for the communication we can still enjoy!! I'm glad I don't live in the time period where leaving home meant also leaving all forms of communication!
Have a great week!! Much love to you all! :O)
Sunday, October 19, 2008
A belated "Happy Thanksgiving!"
It’s mid October and by now the leaves on the trees back home are decorated in bright autumn colors. I’m waiting for that to happen here, but for some reason I don’t think the palm trees are going to turn orange! I check the weather network online and watch the temperature at home slowly drop while the climate of Davao City keeps a consistently hot temperature. It doesn’t change much throughout the year, usually hanging around 34 degrees. I miss my favorite season, but I’ll value it all the more when I get to experience it again! Until then I will appreciate what the closeness of the equator has to offer! For instance now, as I’m sitting here outside writing this, the neighbor is attempting to pick a coconut from his tree with a long net…oh he got it!:)
Talking about the fall- Happy belated Thanksgiving!! It was almost easy to forget as the American students and staff don’t celebrate it until November, and the Filipinos don’t celebrate it at all. It’s pretty sad to already hear Christmas music in the mall! Some of the girls bought a little chicken, sweet potatoes, and cranberry sauce, so we had a little Thanksgiving dinner Sunday night!! We have so much to be thankful for! Being a child of God’s, I have everything! I am so rich in Christ!! Just seeing where and how the Lord has brought me to today, and being here in this whole life-changing experience- it’s amazing!
Okay, I have a small confession to make…It’s actually kind of embarrassing! I didn’t even know about the Canadian elections! Ahh…can’t believe I’m admitting this on my blog! I guess it’s part of being in a different world- although William reminded me how easy it is- “Sarah, www.globalnews.com!” Oh dear! But I did hear about the Stock market crash, so I’m not totally out of the loop…:)
Oh, I hope this post wasn’t too boring! I didn’t put a whole lot of news. If you wanted it to be thrilling I could detail a birth story! haha No…I better not!
Okay, time to sign off! I’ll keep you better posted when I’m more in the mood for writing! Next on the agenda here is an intense two-week Anatomy & Physiology course. I’m looking forward to it!
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!!
SMH
P.s I’m hoping to post pictures ASAP! :)
Talking about the fall- Happy belated Thanksgiving!! It was almost easy to forget as the American students and staff don’t celebrate it until November, and the Filipinos don’t celebrate it at all. It’s pretty sad to already hear Christmas music in the mall! Some of the girls bought a little chicken, sweet potatoes, and cranberry sauce, so we had a little Thanksgiving dinner Sunday night!! We have so much to be thankful for! Being a child of God’s, I have everything! I am so rich in Christ!! Just seeing where and how the Lord has brought me to today, and being here in this whole life-changing experience- it’s amazing!
Okay, I have a small confession to make…It’s actually kind of embarrassing! I didn’t even know about the Canadian elections! Ahh…can’t believe I’m admitting this on my blog! I guess it’s part of being in a different world- although William reminded me how easy it is- “Sarah, www.globalnews.com!” Oh dear! But I did hear about the Stock market crash, so I’m not totally out of the loop…:)
Oh, I hope this post wasn’t too boring! I didn’t put a whole lot of news. If you wanted it to be thrilling I could detail a birth story! haha No…I better not!
Okay, time to sign off! I’ll keep you better posted when I’m more in the mood for writing! Next on the agenda here is an intense two-week Anatomy & Physiology course. I’m looking forward to it!
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!!
SMH
P.s I’m hoping to post pictures ASAP! :)
Sunday, October 12, 2008
The Lord gives and takes away, blessed be His name
I'm not sure how long this post is going to be. My mind seems so full and my fingers are desperately attempting to keep up with everything that wants to come out all at once. This weekend has brought me face to face with the stark reality of death in a way I had never experienced before. I want to share it with you not only because my need to write it out, but also because it is another experience that the Lord is using to teach me many things.
I had promised a girl at church that I would go to their young peoples Saturday night, which was meeting at Faith Academy (a Christian school) with a few other youth groups. None of the girls here were able to go, so I took a motorbike ride there, and after finally finding it I was able to spend a good evening with the young people there. My friend wasn't able to make it, but I had a good time with the others and the missionary couple from my church who were heading the event. It was weird being the only white person (besides the missionary couple) out of more than 50 young people, and probably one of the tallest!:) I played volleyball with them, and it was funny every time I went to serve they started cheering for Canada. I'm sorry if I gave the impression that Canadians are awful volley ball player! :)
Anyways, at 9:00 we all piled into vans and jeepneys, some of us going back to the church where some of them live, or at least near by. I was going to catch a jeepney ride from there. I hopped into a van and Shelly-May, a sweet 9 year old girl came and snuggled beside me. She is so adorable, chatting away in Visayon and giving me hugs every Sunday. Her and her mother are very poor and live at the church. Her Dad left them a long time ago, and she is Zanida's only child. When we got to the church everyone jumped out and the Dottie (missionary lady) rushed inside the church with a few others and shut the door. Everyone seemed distressed, but I couldn't understand what they were saying. Suddenly Shelly-May burst into tears and someone quickly took her down the street. Finally someone was able to explain to me that Zanida, Shelly-May's mom had died. I couldn't believe it, and as I stood outside in the midst of the confusion I didn't know what to do. Zanida was such a sweet little lady, and I still remember she was one of the first I met as her job was to take attendants at the door. Last Sunday I remember giving her a hug and asking her how she was doing. In her broken English she told me she wasn't feeling so good. She than hugged Shelly-May and proudly announced that this was her daughter. She wasn't a healthy looking woman, probably due to her poverty. She looked about 55 but I learned she was only 33. Still not knowing what to do I was about to go home, but for some reason I asked one of the guys standing there if I could go in. After reassuring him I would be okay, he took me inside. Dottie and a small group of people were standing around Zanida who was still laying where she had fallen and taken her last breath. Dottie and I hugged for a long time, and than stood there waiting for the police who were taking forever. Suddenly there was knocking on the door; it was Shelly-May sobbing for her mom. We let her in, and it crushed my heart as I watched her wailing and calling for her mother as she stooped over to kiss her cold body. I closed my eyes to pray but I couldn't. I was so confused- Why had He taken the only person/thing Shelly-May had left. My feelings were so mixed up, for as I looked around the little pitiful room they called home I was praising the Lord that He had taken her from literal rags to Eternal riches- to be in His presence where this is fullness of joy. But as I watched Shelly-May my heart cried out for her. I was than able to pray, bringing this little girl before the Lord.
Finally the police came and I had yet to prepare myself for another shock. Their lack of respect boggled me as I watched them treat the situation as if death was nothing. I've learned and am learning that death for the Filipino's is very much part of life, and they deal with it so differently than we do. At 10:00 I left, after knowing that Dottie was taking Shelly-May home. When I got back I broke down again as I told the girls what had happened. A number of us had a beautiful time of prayer together, and one of the girls graciously offered to take my shift that I was suppose to work Sunday morning so I could go to Church with Kinshasa (one of my roommates). It was weird going to the service as though it was like any other Sunday, and once again I had to remind myself how the Filipino's deal with death. I was relieved to hear that five of the young girls from the church had spent the night with her. But Sunday morning she was sitting in church sweetly smiling and singing the songs. I just had to stand there, shake my head and thank God for His love and protection over her. Her Grandma lives a few hours away, but Shelly-May is determined she doesn't want to leave the church. Two families are praying about taking her in- the Lord is providing! At nine years old, she still has a long, hard road ahead of her and we need to keep her in our prayers!
I've definitely been learning a lot about the realities of life in ways I would never have imagined! God has a purpose, and He knows what we need to learn and how- we just need to trust Him.
Saturday was a day I'll never forget. In the morning I was able to witness a birth, and in the evening a death-the end of life here. But for Zanida, who had experienced a second birth, this is only the beginning- she has reached her eternal home. And one day those of us who have also accepted the precious gift of eternal life will be there in that beautiful country where the Sun never sets, and where we will never again have to be apart! I can't wait!
Until then-
We also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Heb 12:1-2
-Sarah
I had promised a girl at church that I would go to their young peoples Saturday night, which was meeting at Faith Academy (a Christian school) with a few other youth groups. None of the girls here were able to go, so I took a motorbike ride there, and after finally finding it I was able to spend a good evening with the young people there. My friend wasn't able to make it, but I had a good time with the others and the missionary couple from my church who were heading the event. It was weird being the only white person (besides the missionary couple) out of more than 50 young people, and probably one of the tallest!:) I played volleyball with them, and it was funny every time I went to serve they started cheering for Canada. I'm sorry if I gave the impression that Canadians are awful volley ball player! :)
Anyways, at 9:00 we all piled into vans and jeepneys, some of us going back to the church where some of them live, or at least near by. I was going to catch a jeepney ride from there. I hopped into a van and Shelly-May, a sweet 9 year old girl came and snuggled beside me. She is so adorable, chatting away in Visayon and giving me hugs every Sunday. Her and her mother are very poor and live at the church. Her Dad left them a long time ago, and she is Zanida's only child. When we got to the church everyone jumped out and the Dottie (missionary lady) rushed inside the church with a few others and shut the door. Everyone seemed distressed, but I couldn't understand what they were saying. Suddenly Shelly-May burst into tears and someone quickly took her down the street. Finally someone was able to explain to me that Zanida, Shelly-May's mom had died. I couldn't believe it, and as I stood outside in the midst of the confusion I didn't know what to do. Zanida was such a sweet little lady, and I still remember she was one of the first I met as her job was to take attendants at the door. Last Sunday I remember giving her a hug and asking her how she was doing. In her broken English she told me she wasn't feeling so good. She than hugged Shelly-May and proudly announced that this was her daughter. She wasn't a healthy looking woman, probably due to her poverty. She looked about 55 but I learned she was only 33. Still not knowing what to do I was about to go home, but for some reason I asked one of the guys standing there if I could go in. After reassuring him I would be okay, he took me inside. Dottie and a small group of people were standing around Zanida who was still laying where she had fallen and taken her last breath. Dottie and I hugged for a long time, and than stood there waiting for the police who were taking forever. Suddenly there was knocking on the door; it was Shelly-May sobbing for her mom. We let her in, and it crushed my heart as I watched her wailing and calling for her mother as she stooped over to kiss her cold body. I closed my eyes to pray but I couldn't. I was so confused- Why had He taken the only person/thing Shelly-May had left. My feelings were so mixed up, for as I looked around the little pitiful room they called home I was praising the Lord that He had taken her from literal rags to Eternal riches- to be in His presence where this is fullness of joy. But as I watched Shelly-May my heart cried out for her. I was than able to pray, bringing this little girl before the Lord.
Finally the police came and I had yet to prepare myself for another shock. Their lack of respect boggled me as I watched them treat the situation as if death was nothing. I've learned and am learning that death for the Filipino's is very much part of life, and they deal with it so differently than we do. At 10:00 I left, after knowing that Dottie was taking Shelly-May home. When I got back I broke down again as I told the girls what had happened. A number of us had a beautiful time of prayer together, and one of the girls graciously offered to take my shift that I was suppose to work Sunday morning so I could go to Church with Kinshasa (one of my roommates). It was weird going to the service as though it was like any other Sunday, and once again I had to remind myself how the Filipino's deal with death. I was relieved to hear that five of the young girls from the church had spent the night with her. But Sunday morning she was sitting in church sweetly smiling and singing the songs. I just had to stand there, shake my head and thank God for His love and protection over her. Her Grandma lives a few hours away, but Shelly-May is determined she doesn't want to leave the church. Two families are praying about taking her in- the Lord is providing! At nine years old, she still has a long, hard road ahead of her and we need to keep her in our prayers!
I've definitely been learning a lot about the realities of life in ways I would never have imagined! God has a purpose, and He knows what we need to learn and how- we just need to trust Him.
Saturday was a day I'll never forget. In the morning I was able to witness a birth, and in the evening a death-the end of life here. But for Zanida, who had experienced a second birth, this is only the beginning- she has reached her eternal home. And one day those of us who have also accepted the precious gift of eternal life will be there in that beautiful country where the Sun never sets, and where we will never again have to be apart! I can't wait!
Until then-
We also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Heb 12:1-2
-Sarah
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
The Unknown Morrow
Just before I left for here, dear friends of mine, Mr & Mrs Coffey, gave me a slip of paper to put in my Bible with the words to an old hymn entitled "The Unknown Morrow." The words are so powerful and so meaningful,and I cling its promises every day. It has been such a tremendous encouragement to me as I've read, reread and memorized it...sometimes in tears, sometimes out of joy! So now I thought I'd share it with you- a special promise for tomorrow!
Child of my love, fear not the unknown morrow,
Dread not the new demand life makes of thee;
Thy lack of knowledge holds no cause for sorrow
Since what thou knowest not is known of Me.
Thou canst not see today the hidden meaning
Of my command, but thou the light shall gain;
Walk on in faith, upon My promise leaning,
And as thou goest, all shall be made plain.
One step thou seest -- then go forward boldly,
One step is far enough for faith to see;
Take that, and thy next duty shall be told thee,
For STEP BY STEP thy Lord is leading thee.
Stand not in fear thy adversaries counting,
Dare every peril, save to disobey;
Thou shalt march on, all obstacles surmounting,
for I the Strong, WILL OPEN UP THE WAY.
Wherefore go gladly to the task assigned thee,
Having my promise, needing nothing more
Than just to know, wher'er the future find thee,
In all thy journeying I go BEFORE.
-Thank you Mr & Mrs Coffey! :)
Child of my love, fear not the unknown morrow,
Dread not the new demand life makes of thee;
Thy lack of knowledge holds no cause for sorrow
Since what thou knowest not is known of Me.
Thou canst not see today the hidden meaning
Of my command, but thou the light shall gain;
Walk on in faith, upon My promise leaning,
And as thou goest, all shall be made plain.
One step thou seest -- then go forward boldly,
One step is far enough for faith to see;
Take that, and thy next duty shall be told thee,
For STEP BY STEP thy Lord is leading thee.
Stand not in fear thy adversaries counting,
Dare every peril, save to disobey;
Thou shalt march on, all obstacles surmounting,
for I the Strong, WILL OPEN UP THE WAY.
Wherefore go gladly to the task assigned thee,
Having my promise, needing nothing more
Than just to know, wher'er the future find thee,
In all thy journeying I go BEFORE.
-Thank you Mr & Mrs Coffey! :)
Sunday, October 5, 2008
This is the day that the Lord has made....
For some reason, although updating my blog was at the top of my to-do list, I'm writing this at 10-11 PM. Maybe I should invest in hiring someone to manage my time...haha! Actually, today was a good day of rest! Sundays are my day to completely block out any assignment work from my mind, so apart from having to work a shift every few Sundays (babies are born on Sunday too! :)), this is my day off! I usually start if off with a new traditional treat-pancakes or french-toast for breakfast! mmm! And then usually at 8:45 (Filipino time ;)) I head catch a Jeepney down the road that takes me a minute away from the church I've been attending- the one I've written about. The service "starts" at 9 and goes till 11:30-12. So far different girls have come with me, and two of them -Kinshasa and Beatrice-are considering making it their home church here as well. We'll see! It would be exciting to have them come as well! So, I believe this is the Church the Lord has called be to become apart of while I am here. I really haven't been to any others...every week I feel the urge to go back. Maybe in the future I'll visit some of the other churches in the city.
The rest of my Sunday afternoon is then usually spent catching up on e-mails and cards.
Oh, I have good news-great news actually! I passed my first assignment! Praise the Lord!!! I was very pleased & excited!! I just got it back this evening, so I'm still on cloud 10- I upped it one cloud! :) Gives me encouragement for this next assignment I'm working on! I also started charting at the clinic! One step up! :)
I can't forget the big news- actually I missed the whole event. I came home from being gone for a few hours and a bunch of people were on our street and I could see a lot of water on the road just going around the bend. It turns out there was a huge fire that burned down five houses just down our street!! The fire was completely out by the time I arrived. Apparently the girls here were some of the first to see and ran over to help the home owners throw their belongings that they were able to save from the fire onto the street! So five families are without a home!! And the little shacks they had to begin with were really not much of a home! Please pray that they will find help, and that we would know what to do to help them!
Well, I think I'll call it a day, and you can continue on with yours! :)
God bless!
Sarah
The rest of my Sunday afternoon is then usually spent catching up on e-mails and cards.
Oh, I have good news-great news actually! I passed my first assignment! Praise the Lord!!! I was very pleased & excited!! I just got it back this evening, so I'm still on cloud 10- I upped it one cloud! :) Gives me encouragement for this next assignment I'm working on! I also started charting at the clinic! One step up! :)
I can't forget the big news- actually I missed the whole event. I came home from being gone for a few hours and a bunch of people were on our street and I could see a lot of water on the road just going around the bend. It turns out there was a huge fire that burned down five houses just down our street!! The fire was completely out by the time I arrived. Apparently the girls here were some of the first to see and ran over to help the home owners throw their belongings that they were able to save from the fire onto the street! So five families are without a home!! And the little shacks they had to begin with were really not much of a home! Please pray that they will find help, and that we would know what to do to help them!
Well, I think I'll call it a day, and you can continue on with yours! :)
God bless!
Sarah
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