Hosanna in the Highest
Baby Dean. I listened to his heartbeat inside the womb all night, and then the next afternoon I was able to hold him in my arms.
Tabitha, age 2, sitting next to her 39 week pregnant mother while listening to a prenatal teaching during one of our village outreaches last week
Sweet baby Keshonna, born at 5:32pm. She is the youngest of 4 daughters, and one of her sisters is pictured above (Tabitha)
Two of my very good friends who I stayed with in Baguio. This was the night before the baby dedication in Ifugao
Baby Myrtle all wrapped up after the newborn exam.
Mountain ranges on our way from Ifugao to Baguio. This picture was taken via my friends drone
"Maybe, sometimes, you have to know Jesus in order to understand why some people devote their whole lives to Him. I've heard people say it was crazy. I've heard their complete bewilderment at the thought of such a sacrifice. But maybe, genuine love for Jesus manifests itself in sacrifice. And when you really know Him and you recognize what He did for you, it changes you. To an unbeliever, living for Christ might seem like a life gone to waste. But to a believer- someone who's really and honestly known Him- often, no other life will do."
-Author Unknown
Joy, according to Pastor Rick Warren, is defined as: "the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be alright, and the determined choice to praise God in every situation." I'm learning the art of surrender. The art of pure joy, no matter the circumstances. October has been filled with lots of adventures, and my heart sings "Hosanna" with each one. Whether I'm sick on a bus alone for 12 hours, cuddling fussy babies while sleep deprived at 4am, studying in the heat, or eating ice cream sundaes with my clinic family, I am working on practicing joy through it all.
October started with 5 days of fun journeying the mountain provinces with a dear missionary friend of mine. I made new friends, attended my first baby dedication in the Philippines, tried new foods, and soaked up every opportunity I had to gain "missionary wisdom." It gave me a new picture of what ministry looks like, and it opened my eyes to the behind-the-scenes of being a missionary. She does it so gracefully, and I am blessed to learn from her. I ended up with a 24 hour stomach bug on my trip back to Tabuk, where I was put on an IV as soon as I arrived at the clinic. After staying in bed for 2 days, I was back on my feet and ready to embrace the uncertain days ahead.
We have had 24 babies born so far in October, and hopefully we will have a few more born before the month is over. I transported a really sweet patient to the local private hospital, and it was great to go visit her and her sweet baby girl, named Princess Lorraine, the next day. I love following up with my patients and being introduced to their new little ones, their faces beaming with joy as they hand over their precious new treasure. I am also trying to improve on my Ilocano, and a friend of mine has taught me a few Tagalog words...so I'm working on using both languages as much as I can.
The clinic has been understaffed recently, and we haven't been able to go on our prenatal outreach for a few months. This month we were able to go to the village of Pakak and provide prenatal care to 5 women there. It was a humid day, but it was filled with warm welcomes, smiles, coffee, and listening to how our patients and their families are doing.
We had a postpartum patient the other night who hadn't slept in days, and was exhausted, but her baby was so fussy. Around 3am I asked if I could hold the baby so that she could sleep, and the mother was so grateful for a few hours of sleep. I was exhausted, but the baby quickly fell asleep on my chest, and I was reminded of how great baby therapy was. So in the dark and quiet of the night, I was able to snuggle a newborn on my chest while remembering how faithful the Lord is. It reminded me of Matthew 11:28-30, which says, "Then Jesus said, 'Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.'"
I love all of the friendships that I have made here, and the way that each one is growing as time goes on. From my spontaneous dinner outings with our pastor and his family, getting ice cream cones at 7-Eleven, and playing cards every night over at the clinic with the Filipina midwives, I am so thankful for them and how much they've opened their hearts to us.
As I sit here on this "chilly" Friday morning (it's only 75 degrees outside) and reflect on what October has brought, I'm thankful for the opportunity to grow and learn, to worship and invest, and to see the blessings in the mundane. The palm trees sway in the cool morning breeze, and the growing rice fields gently move side to side under the shaded mountains. The sun shines bright, a reminder of a new day. The house starts awakening, some people leave for college exams, the smell of breakfast wafts through the house, and a baby's cry echoes off of the thick concrete walls. This place is home now, and I am so blessed by the sweet faces and welcoming arms, of both my friends, and my Heavenly Father. Thank you for coming alongside me on this journey as I learn to follow the Father through every step of the way.
Prayer Requests:
-Continued Bonding
-Health and Safety
-Joy in all circumstances
-Motivation