Togo, Africa Midwifery Intensive
Donation protected
DELIVER MORE THAN JUST THE GOOD NEWS...IN TOGO, AFRICA APRIL 20 - JUNE 5, 2017
A few years ago, on a mission trip to Ghana, Africa, two women in the village gave birth during the night alone in their huts. The next morning, I was amazed to see both of them at the well at separate times, with their newborns, bending and lifting in order to fill the large containers on top of their heads. My naïve awe of their strength quickly turned into shock and heartbreak when, in discussion with my local friend, I found out that the maternal mortality rate in that part of the country is 50%! It seemed beyond comprehension that in such a joyous occasion, rather than the choices of an ‘ideal’ birth plan, these women were dealing with life and death and only 1 of every 2 would survive. There had to be a better model of care and education that would drastically improve this statistic that could include attention to well-woman, maternity, postpartum support, and infant care all while honoring their cultural distinctions. Knowing that Ghana was likely not unique in this awful statistic, I began crying out to the Lord from the depths of my heart that day. Hoping for a solution to the problem, I felt a clear tug on my heart to become part of the birth story for many, no matter what that might mean for me personally. It was certainly not the solution that I was looking for and since have often wished that there were a different one. However, the cry of my heart persists as does my desire to draw near to those that deserve better. That day still remains so poignant to me and drives me forth as the moment that led me to and keeps me focused on the path of midwifery.
'Waiting room' at the Togo, Africa birth center
Click for more information about me on my website.
Click here if you want to donate directly to me on my website.
If you would prefer a tax-deductible contribution, you can mail us a check made out to RiverLife Fellowship Chapel Hill with 'Africa Trip' in the memo field. Our address is 4465A W Greensboro Chapel Hill Rd., Liberty, NC 27298.
This past summer I had the opportunity to return to Africa. This time, in addition to Ghana, I was able to also travel to Kenya and, quite unexpectedly, Togo. In Kenya, I had the most specific calling to open a birth center. Being 'just a student', I felt completely overwhelmed and unprepared. While I was gone, my incredible husband, Mark, was focused on and fully committed to helping me finish my midwifery schooling expeditiously. Upon my return, he was quick to share this with me. Given what I just told you, you can probably imagine all of the things going through my heart and mind! Not surprisingly, here we are pursuing an offer that I received to be a part of critical clinical experience in Togo, Africa. This is the same birth center that God worked out for me to visit just days before I left for our trip. The offer is to travel to Togo from April 20 -June 5, 2017 as a family so that I can be 1 of 6 incredibly blessed students who will get intimate hands-on training in a birth center.
Beautiful Mom and babe in Kenya, Africa
The next few months will be spent buying tickets, getting visas, making arrangements on the Togo YWAM base to set up our temporary residence, planning to have help at the farm while we’re away, and, most importantly, staying alert to Abba’s voice. This opportunity in Togo makes our dream, about helping to launch a birth center in Kenya, seem possible and within reach now. What a difference a little time makes while we wait on the Lord to take care of all of the details. In keeping with Him taking care of the minutiae, I recently felt led to apply for a scholarship at a midwifery university for a week long (and very expensive) midwifery skills intensive. It seemed like an important opportunity to help me feel more confident and equipped for Togo. Well, guess what?!? I won the scholarship and free housing for the skills week, which is at the end of March! I am SO excited to finally say publicly, “Off we go again, into this NEW thing!”
Proposed birth center on the Windows of Hope campus
We would love to have you partner with us as we embark on new skills but also reach out to families, children, and everyone we meet with a simple message:
We need more funds than we are asking for as we have been planning and have some money set aside. The basic breakdown of costs are as follows:
Flights - $7,600
YWAM base fees - $1,500
Skills Program Fees - $1,500
Vaccines, visas, etc. - $3,000
"Behold, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs forth; do you not perceive and know it and will you not give heed to it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." Isaiah 43:19
A few years ago, on a mission trip to Ghana, Africa, two women in the village gave birth during the night alone in their huts. The next morning, I was amazed to see both of them at the well at separate times, with their newborns, bending and lifting in order to fill the large containers on top of their heads. My naïve awe of their strength quickly turned into shock and heartbreak when, in discussion with my local friend, I found out that the maternal mortality rate in that part of the country is 50%! It seemed beyond comprehension that in such a joyous occasion, rather than the choices of an ‘ideal’ birth plan, these women were dealing with life and death and only 1 of every 2 would survive. There had to be a better model of care and education that would drastically improve this statistic that could include attention to well-woman, maternity, postpartum support, and infant care all while honoring their cultural distinctions. Knowing that Ghana was likely not unique in this awful statistic, I began crying out to the Lord from the depths of my heart that day. Hoping for a solution to the problem, I felt a clear tug on my heart to become part of the birth story for many, no matter what that might mean for me personally. It was certainly not the solution that I was looking for and since have often wished that there were a different one. However, the cry of my heart persists as does my desire to draw near to those that deserve better. That day still remains so poignant to me and drives me forth as the moment that led me to and keeps me focused on the path of midwifery.
'Waiting room' at the Togo, Africa birth center Click for more information about me on my website.
Click here if you want to donate directly to me on my website.
If you would prefer a tax-deductible contribution, you can mail us a check made out to RiverLife Fellowship Chapel Hill with 'Africa Trip' in the memo field. Our address is 4465A W Greensboro Chapel Hill Rd., Liberty, NC 27298.
This past summer I had the opportunity to return to Africa. This time, in addition to Ghana, I was able to also travel to Kenya and, quite unexpectedly, Togo. In Kenya, I had the most specific calling to open a birth center. Being 'just a student', I felt completely overwhelmed and unprepared. While I was gone, my incredible husband, Mark, was focused on and fully committed to helping me finish my midwifery schooling expeditiously. Upon my return, he was quick to share this with me. Given what I just told you, you can probably imagine all of the things going through my heart and mind! Not surprisingly, here we are pursuing an offer that I received to be a part of critical clinical experience in Togo, Africa. This is the same birth center that God worked out for me to visit just days before I left for our trip. The offer is to travel to Togo from April 20 -June 5, 2017 as a family so that I can be 1 of 6 incredibly blessed students who will get intimate hands-on training in a birth center.
Beautiful Mom and babe in Kenya, AfricaThe next few months will be spent buying tickets, getting visas, making arrangements on the Togo YWAM base to set up our temporary residence, planning to have help at the farm while we’re away, and, most importantly, staying alert to Abba’s voice. This opportunity in Togo makes our dream, about helping to launch a birth center in Kenya, seem possible and within reach now. What a difference a little time makes while we wait on the Lord to take care of all of the details. In keeping with Him taking care of the minutiae, I recently felt led to apply for a scholarship at a midwifery university for a week long (and very expensive) midwifery skills intensive. It seemed like an important opportunity to help me feel more confident and equipped for Togo. Well, guess what?!? I won the scholarship and free housing for the skills week, which is at the end of March! I am SO excited to finally say publicly, “Off we go again, into this NEW thing!”
Proposed birth center on the Windows of Hope campusWe would love to have you partner with us as we embark on new skills but also reach out to families, children, and everyone we meet with a simple message:
We need more funds than we are asking for as we have been planning and have some money set aside. The basic breakdown of costs are as follows:
Flights - $7,600
YWAM base fees - $1,500
Skills Program Fees - $1,500
Vaccines, visas, etc. - $3,000
"Behold, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs forth; do you not perceive and know it and will you not give heed to it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." Isaiah 43:19
Organizer
Holly Forester
Organizer
Liberty, NC
