Thursday, August 18, 2011

Almost Home!

Animatedly visiting with another midwife
Maid Elizabeth has been in the Philippines for over 2 1/2 months.  She has learned more than either she or I expected!  Not only has she learned about mamas and babies, she has been stretched in her understanding of people.  She has been in difficult situations and has learned to deal with challenges with grace.  She has seen problems that are rarely, if ever, encountered in the United States.  She has found new strengths and discovered new weaknesses.  She has grown and changed.

And she is coming home!!!!  In less than two weeks, we will have our dear Maid Elizabeth home.  To say that we are all excited is an understatement.  She has already been going through her things, giving surplus away and trying to get organized for her trip home.  We have readied her room and are anxiously awaiting a drive to the airport to pick up our treasure.

Unfortunately, Maid Elizabeth has not been able to keep up with her blog the way she had intended.  The electronic equipment she took with her, has not responded well to either the humid Philippine climate or her lack of ability to update it with our home computer.  She hasn't been able to download photos to her blog for about a month and a half and even writing can be a little dodgy.  She was able to forward some photos to me, so I thought that I would share them with you.

Playing with some little boys
Taking vitals

Going over the chart
(Aren't the Filipino women beautiful!)
Living in the Philippines has been quite an experience for her.  She recently told Sir Knight that it has brought out the "inner prepper" in her!  She has seen many people who live in a constant state of want.  Poor nutrition is the norm, and the majority of her patients have hemorrhaged after giving birth.  However, she has seen a true faith in the people.  Having no personal possessions has made Christ very real to them.  They rely on Him rather than things.

Our girl is coming home.  She is changed.  She has direction.  She is ready for the life God has given her to lead.

18 comments:

  1. My goodness, it seems like she just left. Although, I'm sure it doesn't feel that way to you!

    Saying a prayer for her safe return...

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  2. i am so glad that she has had her adventure of a lifetime doing for others what she would like to do as a career. with what she has experienced even in such a short period of time, she will be ready for just about anything once she is back on american soil.

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  3. Your last words brought tears to my eyes.
    What a brave, beautiful, young lady.
    Lord, bless her.

    Donna G.

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  4. How exciting for you! She looks well and beautiful. Prayers for a safe return.

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  5. The way things are going it is good to know that she will be home safe with you when things get really bad.I know you must have been very worried about this.

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  6. Anonymous;
    Oh, goodness, yes! I can't wait to have her safely under my roof. But, I keep reminding myself that God is God everywhere, not just in my little world. I know He has her covered.
    Enola

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  7. so excited to hear about what she has learner and share her wealth of information with us!

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  8. So glad your daughter is coming home. We just took our 17 year old daughter to college today,and was comforting myself with the thought that at least she isn't a world away, like Manila.

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  9. Wonderful news! She is so pretty, what nice pictures! What a blessing to have been able to learn so much -hands on- while helping so many people! I'm sure you'll have a "humdinger" of a homecoming party:)
    Please give her my best!
    mary (ft laud)

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  10. Maid Elizabeth looks so happy in those photos! I'm glad she's coming home soon, and I'm glad she gained some self confidence while away. Can't wait to see photos of her back in your shouse, so we'll know she's safe.

    Kudos to her and the others for their self-sacrifices for the benefit of strangers.

    NoCal Gal

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  11. Amen. Praise be to God!
    All of my daily and frequent prayers for her have been answered!
    Godspeed her home to you Enola.
    Thank you God for hearing my call, continue to protect, strengthen, and support this special gifted child of yours, so she may continue to do your will Lord.
    Amen.

    notutopia

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  12. your daughter and your whole family should be extremely proud!!! Jim H

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  13. I am so happy for her! She is positively GLOWING! (especially in the photo playing with the young kids) As always, I wish her the very best in all her travels!
    ~Clare

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  14. I've been praying for her safety (and for the rest of her group), and will continue to do so until she is safely home.

    Melody

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  15. I know you'll be very happy to have Maid Elizabeth home! And she's very excited to be going home. However, I'm going to miss her dearly. I may have only known her for two months or so, but I'm very sad to see her go!

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  16. She will have memories that will last a lifetime,and her outlook on the world will forever be changed. As I child, I lived in Turkey for two years-it gave me a different set of reference points-especially when it comes to what "poor" means..Travel broadens the mind, sitting around watching TV broadens something else.

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  17. We need more like her.

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  18. Outstanding! May He bring her home safely in His care to continue His work here.

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