All's well

So far the baby count is 3! 3 catches so far. Two more as a active participant and I will have all the 20 births that I need for NARM ( North American Registry of Midwife's) then it is only 17 more until I am done!

One night I heard a scream from outside and ran out thinking that someone was injured or worse and saw this!






She thought that it was a bat coming to get her.


A mommy and her children going home from a baby check


How rice is brought home in the phils


Not quite sure what this is


Rode side shoe store


Bulk grains


I think that someone lives here


The paper plaits of the Philippines, banana leaves!


And I just had to through in some pictures of my two youngest siblings

A better way

It has been a bit of a ruff week for me, we have had several transports and had to go in to the hospital. I want to cry every time that I go in to the hospital here, things are horrible! One of the students and I went to visit a patient that had to be transported and while I was there I saw cats walking around the ward, the hospital does not smell clean but like cat pee and humans shoved together. And the sad thing is that people here say that this is better then it used to be! The pictures here are not of our hospital, I have been unable to get pictures so far. These pictures are of a hospital in Minnila but they look the same.

A crowded OB ward


Two to three moms to a bed


These mommas are in labor











I know that these conditions are better then nothing however, I think that it would not be that hard to make things a lot more clean and safe. We had to take a baby to the picu two nights a go for breathing trouble, and my heart broke. The picu was very small there was nowhere for parents to sit so they sat on the floor. They do not have ventilators so the family takes turns breathing for there baby, and the only place to sit is a mettle frame work with no seat. But the thing that really got to me was a dad breathing for his preterm son, the baby was on a counter with lights to keep him warm and his dad was just staring at him. The first thing that I thought when I saw him was "he is not going to make it" it was a sad thought and I had no reason to think that he would not live but I just knew. A few minutes later I heard some beeping and a doctor and a nurse came in and started CPR, they worked for about 5 minutes then discontinued all recitation efforts. After the doctors left the dad arranged his sons body and made sure that his head was covered with his hat. I know that God is the author of life and death but it sill never gets any easer to watch a dad fight for his son or daughter. So as I go to bed tonight I will say a prayer that they have peace and comfort in there time of trial.

Location:Davao city

A day in Davao

A few of the girls and I went out today, it was quite fun and we all had a good time. I am constantly reminded that I am no longer in North Idaho but in a new country. I have not quite gotten comfortable living in the city and I do not think that I ever will. I have not caught any babies yet but that should happen in the next few days!

Here is Mercy Maternity Center getting a new roof over the entry way






The road leading away from MMC, the house you see is orange house






Me in a tricy





Looking for work





A little outside eatery






The alternative to a tricy, a peticab





We had stopped at a intersection when I heard honking, this jeepy driver had seen my camera and wanted me to take his picture











It was the same with this tricy, they saw my camera and wanted their picture taken











On the way home some children did a impromptu dance for us











I thought that this was a interesting flower





I can not wait to be on my way home and hold my family safely in my arms again. One blessing is that a very good friend of mine gave me a ipod so I have been able to skyp my family every day even more then once! And I can see them

Location:Davao City

The hands of a father

DADDY'S HANDS



I remember Daddy's hands folded silently in prayer,
And reaching out to hold me when I had a nightmare.

You could read quite a story in the calluses and lines.
Years of work and worry had left their mark behind.

I remember Daddy's hands, How they held my Mama tight,
And patted my back for something I'd done right.
There are things I've forgotten that I loved about that man,
But I'll always remember the love in Daddy's hands.


Daddy's hands, were soft and kind when I was crying.
Daddy's hands, were hard as steel when I'd done wrong.
Daddy's hands weren't always gentle,
But I've come to understand,
There was always love in Daddy's hands.



I remember Daddy's hands working till they bled,
Sacrificed unselfishly just to keep us all fed.
If I could do things over, I'd live my life again,
And never take for granted the love in Daddy's hands.

~Written by Holly Dunn~

Location:Davao City

This and that

I have not done to much lately so I have compiled some pictures for you (shocking right?)

This baby is about 3 hours old and smiling for the camera!



This little guy is not sure that he likes this strange place



A first year student and one of the babies that she helped out


This was in front of the clinic one day





And this is how you drinks are served in the pizza parlors!

Location:Davao city

Life goes on

Well I am still here! I am so busy that I can hardly breath. Things are going well and we are learning a lot, especially how to stop a hemorrhage! We do get to see a little on our time off.

This is some kind of finch that we see a lot


One of the girls and I went out to eat and the waiters were being filmed for something so every one was dressed up and dancing around!











Here is Davao from the top of a mall (it is a big mall country)

















Getting a "boko" witch is green cocoanut





The milk at this point is clear not white!








And this is what happens if you leave any food on the counter! ANT attack!


We have two new roommates! We call them Fred and Ethel. They really prefer the bathroom to any other room in the house.











Well that is all for now, I am sure that there will be more soon.

Location:Davao City