hi friends!
it's been awhile..
well, our time in Perth was so refreshing, i am so grateful.
currently we are waiting out a 24 hour layover in Malaysia
we have been exploring what the airport has to offer, plus enjoying the free internet!!
soon we will be in India!!!
assisting in more deliveries, welcoming more lives into this world :)
we also found a cool spot in an upper room that is carpeted and quiet where we have spread out our tribe of midwives, husbands and children..
it's a real blessing to have found that spot and so far we are the only ones who know about it :)
bless you guys,
orissa
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Bangkok, Thailand
We are on our way to "Oz" also known as, Australia
I am in the Bangkok airport with my team waiting out the 18 hour layover we have here
When we arrived, the airport gave us all 15 minute internet vouchers
Upstairs we are internet'ing and sippin' coffee while some of the others sleep in chairs downstairs near the gate
The flight from Kenya to Thailand took 9 1/2 hours, just now I am starting to feel the difference and mixed up 'ness of traveling :P
It's nice to sit in air-conditioning again after living without it for 3 1/2 months :)
Not that it was too bad ;) We made it through.
Walking around the airport is strange, everything is so NICE, everything is so pretty and clean and expensive
A soccer match is playing on the telly and I can hear the cheers as I type with my back to the screen..
the game sounds intense!!
I'm thinking of you guys
And feeling so thankful for your love -
We said a tearful goodbye to our friends at the hospital on Friday,
And my heart aches thinking of what we have left behind, because the need is so great for midwives, doctors and nurses
Temeke Hospital, with all of it's challenges, will always be a very special place for me, for all of us -- Many of the skills that we have at this point as midwives, we learned first in that hospital
Please pray for the doctors and midwives of Temeke Hospital who remain here as we go; they are amazing women and men who have dedicated themselves to serving their nation -- God is bring healing, yes, it will come!! Keep praying!!
Much Love, from Thailand, Orissa
PS. Marijah, dearest
I wish you could be here with me in this place because I know you love Thailand and the people here. I have looked outside at the gardens around the airport and think of how nice it would be to walk in them. But we have to stay inside the airport. As I browsed the bookshelf, and looked at Thai cookbooks, I thought of you. As I ate chicken pad thai for dinner, I thought of you. And I am looking very hard for a cool birthday gift xxx love, your sis Ori :)
Saturday, January 9, 2010
We are leaving Tanzania in 7 days!! Wow.
It looks like it will rain today. It did rain on us yesterday as we were leaving Mama Witnesses's house. Mama Witness is a Pastor's wife that we met here, and we have been going to her house every week for a few months now to give healthcare teachings to the women who live in her village.
Yesterday we went to say goodbye - and instead of a healthcare teaching, we did a scene from the nativity play and then we prayed with all the women - it was so much fun because we were outside and there was a cow :)
It gave a realistic flavor to the part where Mary gives birth to Jesus among the animals.
I was really touched anew as I listened to my friend share with these women about our King who came into the world in such a humble way. Jesus was born in a low place, but God lifted Him up! God's ways are beyond amazing.
Jesus truly does understand us. He even understands what it feels like to be far away from home.
you reached out your hand and touched him
you touched a leper
the unclean, diseased and despised
near to death,
near last breath,
near to breaking from the ache of isolation
you sought him to offer salvation
better than life lived completely
you touched him who had not been touched
and brought healing
Jesus, you are good.
by orissa
Friday, January 8, 2010
A Miraculous Heartbeat
Bekah Dinneen
January 5, 2010
A student and I were conducting a delivery with a case that had been labouring since morning. As Birth Attendants, we learn and put into practice covering each delivery in prayer, saying aloud a prayer for the woman and welcoming God’s presence in that exact moment. All seemed to be going normally when the baby delivered and appeared lifeless. Seconds later the placenta delivered as well.
The placenta is the baby’s sustenance, with it delivering so shortly after the baby we knew this baby was not getting any oxygen and asked ourselves “How long has the baby been without oxygen?” When we laid our hands on the baby it miraculously had a heartbeat and so we quickly separated the baby so that it could be stimulated and resuscitated. We knew we were experiencing a miracle, how was the heart beating if there was no source of blood?
At the exact moment that the baby was being delivered, a doctor was bringing two med students around for a tour. When the placenta came so quickly, he commented to the effect of, “too bad, the baby is dead” and when he heard our exclamations that the baby was alive, he shook his head and said “this is because the followers of Jesus are here”.
We have had many conversations previously with this Muslim doctor about the power in Jesus and in this moment, he gave glory to God and rightfully acknowledged that the miracle of this baby’s life belonged to God.
January 5, 2010
A student and I were conducting a delivery with a case that had been labouring since morning. As Birth Attendants, we learn and put into practice covering each delivery in prayer, saying aloud a prayer for the woman and welcoming God’s presence in that exact moment. All seemed to be going normally when the baby delivered and appeared lifeless. Seconds later the placenta delivered as well.
The placenta is the baby’s sustenance, with it delivering so shortly after the baby we knew this baby was not getting any oxygen and asked ourselves “How long has the baby been without oxygen?” When we laid our hands on the baby it miraculously had a heartbeat and so we quickly separated the baby so that it could be stimulated and resuscitated. We knew we were experiencing a miracle, how was the heart beating if there was no source of blood?
At the exact moment that the baby was being delivered, a doctor was bringing two med students around for a tour. When the placenta came so quickly, he commented to the effect of, “too bad, the baby is dead” and when he heard our exclamations that the baby was alive, he shook his head and said “this is because the followers of Jesus are here”.
We have had many conversations previously with this Muslim doctor about the power in Jesus and in this moment, he gave glory to God and rightfully acknowledged that the miracle of this baby’s life belonged to God.
"Jesus loves these women!"
Orissa Mora - Kent
Monday January 4, 2010
I was working in the hospital last Monday taking care of women in the postnatal (after they deliver) ward. One woman caught the attention of another student who then called me over to her bed. We checked the woman and discovered that she had been sent over from the labour ward with an unrepaired tear that looked quite bad. We called for one of the doctors to come who had experience repairing tears.
“First, she will need a catheter to empty her bladder, and the hospital doesn’t have any more,” said the doctor. This was a serious situation; her tear needed immediate attention. By saying this, he meant, “There is nothing I can do right now.” She didn’t have any money, so she would have to wait for until her family came and brought a catheter.
It was at that exact moment that Emily walked by and said “I have a catheter, she can have it!” the doctor looked at her a moment and then asked “Did you buy it with your own money?” rubbing his fingers together.
She smiled and said, "Yes, Because Jesus loves these women.”
And then she left to get the catheter. I was still standing there with the doctor and he was obviously very touched by this act. I looked at him and he looked at me with moist eyes as he shook his head saying, “I would never expect someone like you to do something like this for one of these women."
Breathing in the beauty of this moment, I echoed Emily’s words, “It is because Jesus loves them, and we love them.”
This man, a doctor and a Muslim looked at me and said, “I know – and that is what I appreciate about you; you love.”
In the end, the woman got the catheter and her tear was successfully repaired. It was so cool to see how a simple act, done in love, at the right moment, could have such a tremendous impact on a doctor and make such a difference for that woman. That is how Jesus is; His love changes people’s lives.
Monday January 4, 2010
I was working in the hospital last Monday taking care of women in the postnatal (after they deliver) ward. One woman caught the attention of another student who then called me over to her bed. We checked the woman and discovered that she had been sent over from the labour ward with an unrepaired tear that looked quite bad. We called for one of the doctors to come who had experience repairing tears.
“First, she will need a catheter to empty her bladder, and the hospital doesn’t have any more,” said the doctor. This was a serious situation; her tear needed immediate attention. By saying this, he meant, “There is nothing I can do right now.” She didn’t have any money, so she would have to wait for until her family came and brought a catheter.
It was at that exact moment that Emily walked by and said “I have a catheter, she can have it!” the doctor looked at her a moment and then asked “Did you buy it with your own money?” rubbing his fingers together.
She smiled and said, "Yes, Because Jesus loves these women.”
And then she left to get the catheter. I was still standing there with the doctor and he was obviously very touched by this act. I looked at him and he looked at me with moist eyes as he shook his head saying, “I would never expect someone like you to do something like this for one of these women."
Breathing in the beauty of this moment, I echoed Emily’s words, “It is because Jesus loves them, and we love them.”
This man, a doctor and a Muslim looked at me and said, “I know – and that is what I appreciate about you; you love.”
In the end, the woman got the catheter and her tear was successfully repaired. It was so cool to see how a simple act, done in love, at the right moment, could have such a tremendous impact on a doctor and make such a difference for that woman. That is how Jesus is; His love changes people’s lives.
More Testimonies
December 21,2009
by Taylar
During a health care seminar this week, I noticed an elderly woman peering through her fence and welcomed her into the church. She eventually came and listened intently until the teaching finished.
She turned back to thank us yet another time, and I felt such an urgency to ask her if she knew Jesus. The translator told me that she had asked this woman many, many times if she had wanted to know Jesus, but the old woman was Muslim. I persisted to say, please ask her again.
The translator relented and asked her if she wanted to know Jesus; to the surprise of our translator and everyone around us, she said yes.
January 3, 2010
by Synnove Lie
Some time ago, I had a conversation with a Muslim intern doctor at the hospital about how many kids he wanted. He shared with me that he and his wife had been trying for a long time to get pregnant but nothing had happened. He said that it was the will of Allah, but as I looked into his eyes, it was clear that he wasn’t settled about it.
As I was standing with him I asked God, “What do you want me to say?” …and God whispered; “Proclaim my healing power. Tell your testimony.” And so I did. I told him about my own journey with the questions, the hurt, the loss and the fear I myself had gone through as doctors had diagnosed me with an illness and stated that I wouldn’t be able to get pregnant. I shared my process in dealing with that fact, and at the end I could boldly proclaim God’s healing power that was manifested in my own life during lecture phase in Perth. Supernaturally.
As the intern doctor heard about this, he asked me: “Can you please pray for me and my wife?” And so I did. I felt God putting the words in my mouth, and as I ended I said: “when you and your wife get pregnant, you will know that God did this. And that He was the one that healed you and the one to give glory to”.
After that day the subject never came up again, not until last week where I heard that they are now pregnant. HALLELUJA! I didn’t get to talk with him myself, but I’m curious to have a follow up about our talk and our prayer to see where God will take it.
So what started off to be a random conversation, ended up with being a powerful talk about God!
He works in mysterious ways and nothing is impossible for Him!
by Taylar
During a health care seminar this week, I noticed an elderly woman peering through her fence and welcomed her into the church. She eventually came and listened intently until the teaching finished.
She turned back to thank us yet another time, and I felt such an urgency to ask her if she knew Jesus. The translator told me that she had asked this woman many, many times if she had wanted to know Jesus, but the old woman was Muslim. I persisted to say, please ask her again.
The translator relented and asked her if she wanted to know Jesus; to the surprise of our translator and everyone around us, she said yes.
January 3, 2010
by Synnove Lie
Some time ago, I had a conversation with a Muslim intern doctor at the hospital about how many kids he wanted. He shared with me that he and his wife had been trying for a long time to get pregnant but nothing had happened. He said that it was the will of Allah, but as I looked into his eyes, it was clear that he wasn’t settled about it.
As I was standing with him I asked God, “What do you want me to say?” …and God whispered; “Proclaim my healing power. Tell your testimony.” And so I did. I told him about my own journey with the questions, the hurt, the loss and the fear I myself had gone through as doctors had diagnosed me with an illness and stated that I wouldn’t be able to get pregnant. I shared my process in dealing with that fact, and at the end I could boldly proclaim God’s healing power that was manifested in my own life during lecture phase in Perth. Supernaturally.
As the intern doctor heard about this, he asked me: “Can you please pray for me and my wife?” And so I did. I felt God putting the words in my mouth, and as I ended I said: “when you and your wife get pregnant, you will know that God did this. And that He was the one that healed you and the one to give glory to”.
After that day the subject never came up again, not until last week where I heard that they are now pregnant. HALLELUJA! I didn’t get to talk with him myself, but I’m curious to have a follow up about our talk and our prayer to see where God will take it.
So what started off to be a random conversation, ended up with being a powerful talk about God!
He works in mysterious ways and nothing is impossible for Him!
Sunday, January 3, 2010
SUNDAY
The sky was darkening above us,
Our careful footsteps matched the soft pitter patter of water falling…
Loosening from the clouds;
The rain fell with a soft cool breeze
We continued walking, the group of us
Beside me she prayed for the heavens to hold back
But I spread my arms wide open and turned my face to embrace the impending downpour
The Church on a hill was nearing our view,
At that moment, all at once, the sky poured out a heavy burden on us
We ran for shelter wherever it could be found;
Some under trees,
While others pressed close to the side of cement houses,
I found my way shrieking and laughing into a small room, perfect for waiting out a storm
I met others there,
And we sang together in the rain; the spray welcoming itself in through the open window
In the distance we could hear drums
Drums coming from that little Church on a hill…
As we peered out the open window,
We saw steam rising from the rolling green hills,
Bending and swaying in the wind, the palms stood strong in the beautiful landscape set before us
Also there, we saw two young African boys were enjoying the rain as well
We saw them take off down the muddy road, wearing nothing at all as they ran with their backs to us
They quickly disappeared into the greenery…
And we decided to run too,
We stepped out of our dry shelter and ran,
Down the slippery, water washed dirt hill we ran
Into the plastic chairs of a beautiful Church with a roof but no walls,
A dirt floor,
With puddles of water,
With so much joy – we entered
We let our voices rise with theirs as our hearts lifted up praise to God,
“Thank you for the rain, Lord.”
Together we prayed that our own lives would be like that rain,
Bringing refreshment to our communities, and to the land we live on, in the name of Jesus.
It's a new year,
Orissa
Our careful footsteps matched the soft pitter patter of water falling…
Loosening from the clouds;
The rain fell with a soft cool breeze
We continued walking, the group of us
Beside me she prayed for the heavens to hold back
But I spread my arms wide open and turned my face to embrace the impending downpour
The Church on a hill was nearing our view,
At that moment, all at once, the sky poured out a heavy burden on us
We ran for shelter wherever it could be found;
Some under trees,
While others pressed close to the side of cement houses,
I found my way shrieking and laughing into a small room, perfect for waiting out a storm
I met others there,
And we sang together in the rain; the spray welcoming itself in through the open window
In the distance we could hear drums
Drums coming from that little Church on a hill…
As we peered out the open window,
We saw steam rising from the rolling green hills,
Bending and swaying in the wind, the palms stood strong in the beautiful landscape set before us
Also there, we saw two young African boys were enjoying the rain as well
We saw them take off down the muddy road, wearing nothing at all as they ran with their backs to us
They quickly disappeared into the greenery…
And we decided to run too,
We stepped out of our dry shelter and ran,
Down the slippery, water washed dirt hill we ran
Into the plastic chairs of a beautiful Church with a roof but no walls,
A dirt floor,
With puddles of water,
With so much joy – we entered
We let our voices rise with theirs as our hearts lifted up praise to God,
“Thank you for the rain, Lord.”
Together we prayed that our own lives would be like that rain,
Bringing refreshment to our communities, and to the land we live on, in the name of Jesus.
It's a new year,
Orissa
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