The Philippines has the highest birth rate in Asia, and it is estimated that the population could double within three decades, a population already nearing a 100 million. The city of Manila alone, has 12 million. When you step out the gate of our ministry’s center, in Cainta, there are some 5,000 people residing in squatter’s homes. Most of these people live on less than $2 a day. After paying rent, this leaves them with only money for food and water, if the man of the household hasn’t used it to feed his gambling and alcohol “needs”. School is secondary, medical care is secondary. Prostitution and begging become a means of survival, because a father has squandered away the families earnings on cock fighting and all-night karoke nights.
Here, women give birth every day, averaging 6 kids in the poorest of Filipino families. A United Nations report showed that at least 10 Filipino mothers die every day while giving birth, the worst mortality rate in Southeast Asia. Here, mothers give birth on the floors of homes. Here, fathers and grandmothers become the midwife. Here, a kitchen knife and an old sheet serve as delivery tools. Because of this, infants often die in their first week of life, and rarely live to celebrate their third birthday.
Here, $50 is needed for a midwife-assisted birth. Meaning that, it takes nearly a month’s wages. Simply not possible…for many.
Beginning in Novemeber, several girls from my squad partnered with K.I.M. staff to open a “clinic” of sorts with the pregnant mothers. Where for 6 weeks, we followed them, documenting their blood pressure, their weight gain (or more sadly common than not, weight loss), and their unborn child’s heartbeat. We began each morning with prayer and devotion, as they nibbled on a healthy snack, for some, there first breakfast of the week. This time was followed with our basic assessments, while the waiting mothers were met by other squad mates, who sat and talked with them, listened to them and heard just a little of their stories.
There’s a heaviness here in this community. In this community of gamblers, of the uneducated, of the starving, of the brokenhearted, of the teenage mothers, of the abused. But there was such a joy that broke through, when a mother heard her unborn child’s heartbeat for the first time, a solemn face turning into a smile reaching all the way to her eyes, as she heard that sweet sound of life, most American mothers, hear at 8 weeks.
On our final Sunday, in the Philippines, my squadmates, Megan M., Jenny, and I were blessed to attend the birth of one of the mothers we met with each week from the beginning. It was hear on the floor of her home, an 18-year old mother of 2 gave birth to her breech baby boy. After many prayers were lifted up, a little squeal was joyfully received from the infant who only a few moments before was pale and limp. (Yes, a community-appointed midwife was there). Tears were in my eyes, as I held this precious, miracle of a child, and was honored to give him his very first bath and place him in the arms of his mother.
While this child was born on the floor of her home, as were about 10 other infants with mothers participating in our program, this doesn’t have to be the story anymore. During our squad’s time here, we laid the groundwork and almost completed a birthing room. A clean, safe, and private place, where mothers can give birth, in an environment of love. A place they can come to and not have to worry about the cost of a midwife, a place they can come and know they are loved, they are treasured, that they are worthy, they are beautiful handmaidens in His Kingdom who bring forth life.
Would you join with me in praying for K.I.M. (www.kidsinternationalministries.org) as they continue this work in the Cainta community? As they continue to meet with these mothers on a weekly basis, providing the most basic of care? As they partner with the community midwife, until one can be hired on as staff? As they work to provide this mother and her infant with the care they need in the days leading up to and after the birth? Would you consider donating $10, 15, 20, even $50 needed for a midwife to attend a birth?
Guess what? I know I may have painted a bleak story in this blog. However, K.I.M. is in the heart of this area and have been for the last 5 years. They desire to see change happen, they implement things, and great things have happened. Changes are happening. I saw and took part in obliterating a 20 foot pile of dirt and concrete to the ground level of an adjacent building, where 2 floors of additional classrooms are to be added on, where due to sponsors, a free Christian education will be provided to those children in the community. I saw 40 of the community girls gather on the floor of a church every week for a time of song and praise, scripture learning, and a warm meal as they were free to ask questions and learn more about Jesus and their identity in Christ. I saw children run after a van in 10 different villages each week, so that they may receive a warm meal, for many their first meals in days. I was there when over 38,000 pounds of food was unloaded from America so that these meals were possible. I saw a home where about 2 dozen girls, who have been rescued from homes where physical, emotional, and/or sexual abuse were very present and now live in a safe, home environment, one in which they come to know and experience true love. Thank you for listening. There is hope, there is joy, there is grace, and there is a whole lot of love. Change is happening, will you partner with me in prayer, as I support this amazing ministry? Thank you for hearing a bit of my heart…a bit of my heart that still resides in the Philippines, a bit I may never get back.
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” ~Psalm 139:13-16
