gthemidwife

Yes, that’s right! Abundant Grace of God had its 1000th baby last week!

Baby 1000!

This was Lilibeth’s ninth pregnancy, having delivered all of her other babies , except for one, at home without a trained assistant. We were so excited that she decided to deliver with us for this her final (so she says ) baby.

Five years ago I could have never imagined how God would cause this ministry to grow. In fact I may have even backed out had I known how much it would grow and how many lives would be touched; it would have seemed too overwhelming! However I followed the advice of my Dad and just took things one day at a time and dealt with each obstacle as it presented itself.

Now it’s 2012 and we have a brand new clinic facility, a sister clinic ready to open in Bugnay, a mobile Well-Baby ministry that reaches over 140 families in the community, trained over a dozen Filipino midwives and now delivered 1000 babies!

Thank you God for making it all possible!

Thank you supporters for helping to make it all happen!

Dessa pictured on the right at a party in 2006.

This past week has been one filled with sorrow. Last Friday we got word that Dessa, a good friend of ours from Bugnay, passed away suddenly from what looked like Typhoid fever. She left behind her husband and three small children; her first born here in 2007 and the youngest only nine months old. We miss her greatly and our hearts ache for her family. Then yesterday morning we got news that one of our patients from the village of Lacnog died suddenly from eclampsia. Caryang was only 17 years old and pregnant with twins. Because of her age and the fact that she was pregnant with twins she was at high risk for eclampsia, but up until she was rushed to the hospital she had had no symptoms. Sometimes it can get overwhelming how quickly loved ones can be taken away, especially living in a country where healthcare is so lacking. On the other hand, I know that God has used the clinic to bring more than 800 babies safely into the world – so for that I am thankful. If you think of it, please keep Dessa and Caryang’s family in your prayers.

Jobi with "tita" Chel in Manila.

Jobilyn, her parents Benjie and Luk-ay and her “tita” Chel just arrived home from Manila this morning after a week of Doctor’s check-ups and tests in Manila. Because of numerous donations given over a period of just 2 days, Baby Jobilyn was able to get her MRI and will now be able to start a rehabilitation/physiotherapy program.

I know that Jobi’s parents were completely overwhelmed when all of the donations started pouring in for their little girl. I cannot even put into words what kind of difference it has made in Jobilyn’s life to be able to receive the care that she got in Manila.  It is the difference between life and death.

Thank you!

I will keep you updated through this blog as to how she is doing in her physio and follow-up check-ups.

On the bus on the way to Manila.

Jobilyn Balagso, from the village of Hilltop Pakak, was born at Abundant Grace of God on November 29, 2009. She was born with both of her legs severely hyperflexed against her chest. When we took her to the local government hospital  they took x-rays that showed she had almost non-existent kneecaps. Then they put casts on her legs so that they could be straightened. Other than that, they not give any advice or even a diagnosis of her condition.

I had not seen Jobilyn very often since her birth so this last December when I saw her and her mom at church I was taken aback by the worsening of her condition. She was over a year old but was still not even able to hold her head up let alone sit up.  I suggested going to a local rehabilitation centre called Lin-Awa which is run by the Catholic church to see if anything could be done to help.

The physiotherapists at Lin-Awa had never seen anything like Jobilyn’s condition before and referred us to a specialist in Tuguegarao City (2 hours away). The Specialist in Tuguegarao didn’t know what to do with Jobilyn either and referred us to a Genetic Pediatrician in Manila.

Jobilyn’s family are sustenance-based rice farmers with no extra money for even a bus trip to Manila let alone specialist check-ups.

This past week we were finally able to spare the funds to send Jobilyn to Manila for specialist check-ups at Philippine General Hospital. Our friend Richel Halili accompanied Jobilyn and her mom Luk-ay and dad Benjie to Manila by bus. Our friend Naomi Hamilton has generously let them stay at her ministry house (Safe Refuge) while they undergo their check-ups.

After check-ups with over half a dozen doctors (Neurologists, Orthopedics, Genetic Pediatricians, Surgeons) numerous blood tests, x-rays and even a CT scan her condition is still not clear. The doctors are requesting that Jobilyn undergo an MRI in order for a conclusive diagnosis to be made and a physical therapy routine established.

The problem is that we are now out of money. We have come so far and had so many doctors attending to Jobilyn that it seems such a shame not to be able to finish her treatment.

Baby Jobilyn and her mom at PGH.

If any of you reading this note feel moved to help Jobilyn finish her check-ups in Manila please go the donate section of this blog. You can give through paypal with a note designating the money for Jobilyn. We will get all of the money to them immediately.

“Miracle Baby” Abira Turns One

Last month the Pullis family had a First birthday celebration and thanksgiving for their youngest child Abira.

Do you remember her? Last March 2010, Abira was delivered 3 months premature because her mother had severe pre-eclampsia. We didn’t think that Abira would survive being born so early in a hospital that has no incubators or care for premature infants – but she did!
Then in February, Abira was in the hospital again for a intestinal blockage that looked like it might need surgery. We all prayed for her life and again God proved himself faithful. He healed Abira without surgery and she went home within the week.
And so once again, we celebrate Abira’s life.

Lina and baby Abira left our clinic today and went home to their village of Lacnog. They stayed here for almost three weeks recovering from their ordeal and Abira gained almost a half kilo.
Thank you for all your prayers and support. We will continue praying that Abira will keep breastfeeding well and gaining weight daily and Lina’s blood pressure will continue to come down until it has returned to normal. Enjoy the picture we took of the two of them just before they went home – note Lina’s big smile!