Maayong Pasko-Merry Christmas!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS one and all! :)We are a little ahead in time here, so Christmas is almost half over before it's even started back home!
For me here Christmas couldn't have started off better! I was on night shift from 10pm till 6am this morning. At 12:30 a woman in labor walked in and I was the next one up... At 5:42 I delivered her baby- On Christmas day!! She gave birth to a beautiful little boy who as of yet does not have a name.:) What a special way to start Christmas! I ended up working a little later to finish up things with the birth, and then when I came home we had a Christmas gift exchange and the girls opened up their packages that they got in the mail. Tomorrow is the big day when Diane and Tim arrive!! WOW!! I still can't believe I'm going to see them both!! I'm beside myself with excitement!! I am so blessed!!
This year is my first Christmas away from home and also my first warm one! It can be a little difficult when I start thinking about Christmas back home, so I try not to! I have so much to be thankful for...the girls here are great and have made this time of year so special! And being able to look forward to Diane and Tim's visit has made a big difference! I'm flying to Manila to meet them and spend a few days there with some friends! Very exciting!!
It feels so great to have finished the first part of school...Next semester will be a little longer since it goes till June. I'm so grateful for everything the Lord has taught me since I have arrived- truly a GREAT learning experience!
It's almost noon now and we are having our Christmas dinner at 4:00 so I better get some sleep since I was on night shift.
I miss you all like crazy!! Sending a BIG Christmas hug!!!
Enjoy the celebration of a very special birth- the birthday of our King!
Much love...
Sarah

A diminutive update! :)

Oh no...It's been 2 weeks since I've written on here...I'm slipping! :S :) I just wanted to write a quick 5 min update, since I'm scheduled for shift in 10 min!
Just wanted to let everyone know things are going well. This week is the crunch week with our assignments due and our semester exam on Friday! But then we have 2 weeks off for Christmas!!! Yea!! We will still be working in the clinic, but get to take a break from the books! :):):) I sure can't wait...
So one more week! I'll update you more as soon this week has passed, and then try to get some pictures up too...
Okay off to work! take care, and God bless!!!
-Sarah

Mountain Outreach

November has already come to a close, but I think winter has forgotten about us here in the Philippines… It’s weird to think of people back home bundled up in their sweaters as I sit here in front of a fan seeking relief from the heat that persists all year round here. Oh I miss the snow and cold! :)
As many of you may already know, this past week I took an outreach trip up into the mountains a few hours away. What a wonderful experience, and in many ways if felt like I was stepping into my favorite missionary book! We (myself and four other girls) left Monday morning and took a 1 ½ hour bus ride to outside the city, where we caught a jeepney that took us another hour out to other town where we met Mary-Jane (a midwife for a large area in the mountains). We then took two motorbikes up to the little village where Mary-Jane and her husband Juene live…It was my first glimpse of the country-side and wow was I in a different world! It was pouring rain as we spend along on the motorbikes through groves of banana trees, rice fields, passing water buffalos, chickens and random pigs. When we got to their little village, it really was a true village you would picture in your head with small tribal huts/shacks. We ate lunch there and headed out again on the motorbikes to her health center that was around another 1-2 hours up in the mountains where we spent two nights. Thankfully our two motorist where excellent drivers, as the paths through the mountains would get sometimes crazy! The scenery was beautiful with valleys and moutains of palm trees, and we traveled through many tiny villages along the way. I don’t think we got through too many villages without hearing people yell “gwapa (beautiful) Americans” or “hi Joe!”:) That night we slept at the health center. It was amazing being in a world where people still cook on fires, pump their water, sleep under mosquito nets on mats on the floor, take bucket showers, and eat rice every meal (that's their diet in the city as well)! The next day we headed out again to another village where we set up in the village center to do prenatals and general physical exams (one of the students is a nurse). It didn’t take long for nearly the whole village to gather around. We started off with a nutrition teaching that Mary-Jane interpreted. We than began to do the check ups, and after all the prenatals were done I began taking peoples blood-pressure (they love getting their BP taken!) I think by the time the day was over I had taken the entire village’s blood pressure- haha! They were so great though and kept feeding us all day with different fruits, rice and fish! I had brought some bubbles for the kids and it was so funny to watch them go wild trying to catch them! When it was time to leave, we had nearly the whole village waving us goodbye! What an experience! The next day we packed up early and traveled back down to Mary Jane’s house. We then picked up three kids and with the eleven of us (six on the motorbike I was on and five on the other one) took another two-hour trip to a beautiful waterfall where we relaxed for the day! It was amazing- nonetheless we where pretty sore after our 2 hour trip back. The next day (Thursday) we stayed at the house and a number of pregnant women came for prenatals as well as other people for general check-ups. We left Friday morning to come back to the city, but had to stop first in the town to pay a courtesy call at the mayor’s office. The chief police also wanted us to come to the station, which we where actually suppose go when we first arrived. The just wanted our identification I guess for our protection
So that was my little trip away from the city! I was so thankful that we were able to enjoy some rest and fresh-mountain air! God is good…and I only pray that we were able to be at least somewhat of a help and encouragement there!
I’ll try to post some pictures ASAP… Things are a little crazy now! I’m very behind in my studies, and would greatly appreciate your prayers for strength and diligence to finish everything on time! And that I wouldn’t feel overwhelmed and stressed in the meantime!
Must be off… Thank you all for your encouragement and prayers!!

Sarah

Quick update on the craziness :)

Hi everyone- This post will have to be quick as it's getting pretty late!
I just wanted everyone to know that I've haven't forgotten you all! It's just been a crazy crazy week! I'm finding myself very behind on things- but that's okay... Somehow, this too shall pass! :)
I wanted to let you know as well that I'll be leaving tomorrow on a 5 day outreach up in the mountains! I'm very excited, and can't wait to tell you about it all when I come back!!
Better be off to bed! We (me and three other girls- Beth, Bea, Janelle, and a midwife from here in Davao ) will be leaving at 6:00am. :0)

So I'm sorry to all those that I haven't been able to get back to! I haven't forgotten any of you!!!

Take care!! and God bless!

-Sarah

Nov 13- My first handle!!! =)

Wow! Yesterday was the day I've been dreaming about, but never thought would actually come. I caught my first baby!! It was beautiful...amazing...unforgettable!
When I walked into clinic at 2:00 pm for my shift I knew I was in for a crazy one! Four births had just taken place within 5 hours and six other women were in labor! After endorsements I was handed a chart- ahhh...my first handle! I had completed all my assists and was ready to start handling. Things were so chaotic I didn't have time to second guess myself! My patients name was Bing (her nickname-real name is too hard to pronounce!:)) who was 35 years old, fourth child. She was such a cute woman, and I was really blessed to have her for my first handle. She did really well, except for having bad back labor! Her husband was great, and he and I took turns massaging her back. I also got her to try different positions which seemed to help somewhat. Because it was so crazy at the clinic I ended up assisting and charting for two other births in between time. At 5:59 she starting pushing, and thankfully I had my gloves on as the baby came out at 6:27. It all seemed so unreal yet so normal as I grasped the little slippery baby into my hands. At first she didn't breath but after some suctioning she gave our her first little cry. Praise the Lord she made it into this world safe and sound! Afterwards I was kept busy doing frequent vital checks on the mother, filling out the paperwork, completing the baby bath and exam, and moving them to the postpartum room before my sift ended at 10:00. I love that I get to see them again as I am responsible for doing the baby check-ups during the next six weeks!
So there ya have it! My first handle experience in a nut shell- What an amazing birth and experience! I just feels so good to actually get to this stage... I love being a midwife! :) I just can't believe I already get to handle (under supervision of course!:)) God is good!
I couldn't wait to tell you all about it- definitely a milestone of my training here!So I'm sorry I didn't have time to write it all out in a good story form! :P

Well I think I'm going to head off to bed soon. I'm a little brain dead as I work again today and wrote another exam this afternoon! Phew... But I do get tomorrow off! So excited!
Good night all!!
Sarah
"An official baby-catcher!" :)

Picture I took tonight of our street in the rain

The top picture I caught during a flash of lightning

Injection class a few weeks back

-Click on Photo

No-name title :)

Wow! Has it already been a week since I last wrote in here?!! I guess times flies when you're fighting for it! :)It's definitely been one of those weeks... Tomorrow is my A&P exam, so if ya think of it please pray it will go well! :P

This weekend was All Saints Day-a very busy holiday here! But they really have their own twist to how they celebrate it. Starting yesterday (Saturday) the graveyards get decorated with flowers, balloons etc, and everyone flocks to the cemeteries and spends all weekend (including the night) holding a big festival there with their dead. It's definitely a different way of having All Saints Day!! Yet it brings out two very integrated parts of the Filipino culture. Firstly their love to celebrate and hold festivals, and secondly their concept of death- a very normal part of life!

Well, I've been sitting here now for a few minutes trying to think of what else I could write that would be of any interest....Sorry, nothing is coming to mind. So I guess I'll just sign off and catch you another time! Just to let you know I'm still alive and doing well! Thank you to all who keep me posted!! =)
Thinking about you all...
And quoting my dear brother Ben,
"Cheers!" :)
p.s. Time doesn't change here, so now I'm 13 hours ahead

My Orange Dorm

My Dorm">
-Click on Photo-

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)

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! :)

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

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! :)

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

Making it through the first few tests of many to come! :)

My computer screen is becoming blurry as I write this, and it makes me wonder why I'm still on this thing! I'm feeling a little exausted after a busy and crazy day, so if you can't make sense of some parts of this post you'll know why.
Today started off with clinical shift (prenatals) from 7:45-11:30-12ish. I've started preforming the prenatal exams myself, but I still have a lot to learn with doing them!! I guess it all takes time and experience...
After shift I ran home to do some last minute studying for our first major assignemnt test and to pick up my assignment that was due.
At 1:00 was back at the clinic to do the test...We won't receive any marks for a few weeks. Under 80% is a failing grade, so I better have gotten higher than that since the idea is to pass! :)I've been reminding myself all week of the vs in Philippines 4: I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength! It's a promise so easily forgotten.
After that was over, I came back here again for an hour to study Visayon for a test we had at 3:15.
Rushed back to the clinic a few minutes early to join in on a pizza party the Filipino staff were having! So fun to see them all together as they sure love to laugh!!!
So...I've got the first assignment/test over with (if I passed! :))I felt very free, relieved and just plain thrilled to have that all over with!!! Praise God for getting me through the first one!
Okay, this has taking me far longer than noramal to write, so I'll just sign of here and catch you all another day sooon. Tomorrow I have day shift starting at 6:00 so it bright and early!
Till next time!!

It's cooking week!

I guess it's about time I update this blog again! I meant to do it on Sunday but never got around to it.
It's morning here now, and I'm watching the house slowly come alive as I sit here on the kitchen table. :) I must say after living with 5-7 brothers my whole life, it is very different living with a group of 15 girls! We've come up with some pretty interesting supper conversations! =D They are a great bunch of girls, and it's funny to see all our very different personalities put together!
This week I'm on the team for cooking! Every week 3-4 girls are in charge of cooking supper for the house, so this week Bri, Serena, Holly and are on. Yesterday Bri and I went and did most of the shopping, and this morning Holly did the market run. Tonight it's my night to cook- we'll see how that goes..haha. I think chicken dinner is on the menu- I haven't quite decided.
Friday is the day our assignment is due, following which is an exam on the assignment. So if ya think of it, please pray that it would go well. It's hard to know what they all expect in an assignment or what the exam involves being that this is our first. I'm trying my best not to get worried...ha!
I trust everything is going well wherever this blog finds you.
Hope you all have a great day/night! :)
much love,
Sarah

A word from me again

Today I went to Bible Fellowship Davao for the Fourth time. I was encouraged, though a little lost in the language! Maybe one day I'll know Visayon...:) They sing a few English songs and I'm able to pick up a word here and there...hehe. I like that it's small (only 50 ppl or so), and the joy of the Lord can really be felt! This morning one of the songs was "You are my all in all", and really the reality for many of them is that He is all they have...and it proves to be more than enough! It's funny, the singing is mostly way off key, but comes straight from the heart! So precious and beautiful to the Lord! During the service a scrawny stray cat came meandering in, but nobody seemed to notice. :) Things are a little different here than in North America! The service usually "starts" at 9:00, but Filipinos are seldom on time. Hmm? Now I'm wondering if my family has some Filipino history? :P
So I'm still questioning if this is the church the Lord wants me in. For now, I'll take it one step at a time. It's weird searching for a church on my own...with always having a big family to follow behind in! haha!
Okay, I won't keep you here all day. Just a little update on life here.
Missing you all like crazy!!!!!! And I'm not just saying that either!=)
God be with you till we meet again!
love,
Sarah

Church search...Assignment confinement! :)

Good day! It is a beautiful day here today! Hot as usual, but I'm sitting in a air conditioned coffee shop enjoying the sunshine away from the humidity! Spoiled? hmm....:)
As I mentioned in the previous post, last week was the first week of school. They gave us our assignment Monday which is due for the 26th. The assignment consists of a whole list of questions that need to be researched in our textbooks. We have eight textbooks the info can be found in, so our goal is to gather all the information and compile it into answers. Some answers are 1/2 pg in length, others are 10 pgs! So far It's going good- slowly but surely! It takes a bit to get to "know" your textbooks! It's excited that everything we study involves what we will be practising!

Yesterday I went to Bible Fellowship Davao for the third time. I had heard of it though Bill Coffee who knows of American missionaries (Seven & Dottie St. Claire) who are there. The first Sunday I went proved to be quite the adventure. I took a motorbike ride to get there (one of the means of transportation here). Glad to be alive :), I arrived at the little church consisting of around 50 people, most of them being very poor (many are even homeless). The missionary couple gave me a warm welcome as did the people. One older lady who had only one eye and a few teeth came up to me and grabbed my arm not wanting to let go. At first my instinctive was to try to free myself from this lady whose hygiene level was obviously not very high. But then it struck me- I had completely missed out on sharing the love and compassion of Jesus that we are called to live out. It was a humbling experience, not because of the physical happenings that had occurred, but because of how I had responded to it inside. Who was I to think I was above her, for before the cross we all stand equal. Lesson learned? I'm finding I have much to learn!
This is getting longer than anticipated, so I'll close off and save the rest for another day. My assignment is getting nowhere while it remains minimized on my computer screen! :)
God bless!
-Sarah
Eph 5:1-2

A Clinical Week...The First of Many to Come

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

First week of clinical

Clinical

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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

Day trip with Filipino Staff

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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

Outland Adventure!

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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

Orientation

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