Birthing Hope

a birthing hope day

circleoften — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 00:56:40 +0000

Yesterday, Jane, Meredith, and I sorted and counted birthing kits that have come from all over the US. It was exciting for us to lay our hands on items that so many folks have been a part of collecting. Yesterday’s kit count included birthing kits and shipping contributions from:

Speedway Baptist Church, Speedway, IN

Gardner Webb College, NC

Leslie Wells’ group in Huntsville, AL

Lake Shore Baptist Church, Waco, TX

Courtney Baptist Church, Yadkinville, NC

First United Methodist, Pflugerville, TX

Thanks everybody!

We are in need of more kits. We are also in need of individual items for kits.

We’ve been thinking . . . could some of your churches have a Birthing Hope Sunday where each family or individual brings an item/or items from the kit? Participants could all bring the same item or the list could be divided by last name. (all folks with names ending with a – l, bring betadine; names ending with m – r, bring 4×4 gauze pads . . .etc.) Items could be shipped unassembled.

I’m including some pictures from yesterday. We had a great time sorting. It was a wonderful way to spend the holiday and our encouraged day of service.

Gather, deliver, improve,

Suzanah

Maternal Health and the Bible

circleoften — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 19:53:52 +0000

For months I’ve been dreaming about the formation of a maternal health bible study. Participants bring their Bibles and a blank notebook. Together, we write the study.

We’ve had two gatherings so far with four to go. I’m overwhelmed with ideas and camaraderie. Our first week’s assignment was to list all of the direct and indirect references to maternal health in the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. Last week we studied Hagar. This week we will listen to what Mother Rachel has to say to us.

Why a Bible study? So often, among people of faith, reproductive health is considered taboo. I think some are surprised to learn just how often this issue is mentioned in the Bible. Women of faith represent a strong global network. Partnerships with women of faith are needed to improve maternal health.

floss

circleoften — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 22:22:26 +0000

What if we substituted dental floss for medical tape in the birthing kits? What if? That could reduce the weight and cost of each kit. I imagine it would be easier to use. Now we must determine if there is a medical reason why tape is better than floss.

Two weeks of hurricanes in the Caribbean have me a little concerned about our kits and attendants in Haiti. Thankfully the kits are in five gallon buckets with lids. Hopefully, they will float and stay dry.

ft. lauderdale or bust

circleoften — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 01:44:27 +0000

We weren’t on Spring Break, but Jane and I had a great trip to south Florida. This was our first official Birthing Hope delivery and there was much cause for celebration. This past year of working at Covenant has led up to the delivery of our 67 buckets complete with enough supplies for 670 births. The kits are headed to Haiti and should be there in a week and a half.

The momentum is growing and we are looking for partnering churches interested in collecting kits and financial contributions for shipping costs.