I'm the
oldest of 12 children. My parents experienced three pregnancy losses prior to
having children and were told they would likely never have children. Once they
finally had a baby (me), they never stopped...until they got to number 12 that
is. The first four of us were born in four years. I turned 4 years old just two
days after baby number four came into the world. My mother had her hands full
and I quickly learned that, at age four, I was not a baby any longer. I would
go to the cradle, pick up my crying baby sister, and rock her in the big green
rocking chair we had.
I
grew up fast as evidenced by the fact that I caught my first baby and became a
midwife at age 18. I have never felt cheated out of my childhood or grieved my
early maturity contrary to popular stereotype of how I "should"
feel. I have,
however, discovered that I do have certain tendencies that are highly likely
a result of birth order and having so many younger siblings.
One of
those tendencies being how I feel, or rather how I have felt in the past about teaching. I
tend to think it's easier and way more time efficient for me to just do it
(whatever it may be) rather than teach it, especially if it means you didn't do
it right the first time and we have to go back and do it again.
Because
there is such maternal healthcare crisis, the world over, there is a huge need for midwives. “In 2011, UNFPA and 30 partners published the State of the World’s
Midwifery 2011: Delivering Health, Saving Lives. The report, the first of its
kind, surveyed 58 developing countries that together account for 91 per cent of
the world’s maternal deaths. The State of the World’s Midwifery Report found
that up to 3.6 million lives could be saved each year in 38 of the countries
surveyed, if an additional 112,000 more
health workers with midwifery skills
were practicing in communities and backed up by a functioning health system.” - WHO & UNFPA
I attended
a midwifery school that placed a heavy emphasis on international midwifery and
maternal health care worldwide and encouraged us, once we graduated, to go out
and use the needed skill of midwifery to share Jesus. Naturally, since
there’s such a large need for midwifery, most midwives practicing third world
find that the most effective way to help reduce maternal mortality is to teach and train midwives. During our community development projects in school, we would fabricate plans to reduce the maternal morality rate in a specific area. These plans usually included training both national and international midwives. I, however, made it very known that I did
not like teaching, never wanted a student, and never intended to train
midwives.
Most of the
accomplished midwives I worked with while practicing midwifery in the US acted
as prectoprs and trained midwives. I was constantly being asked to
precept for someone and encouraged by other midwives to take on a student. No.
No. No. Always my answer, “no.” I did not want a student.
After being
in Haiti for a few months, it came up that Tara, one of Heartline’s long-term
staff members and (almost licensed) midwife, needed a preceptor to be able to
finish her clinical requirements once she returned from furlough. I knew
it was coming…the question in which I’m asked to be a preceptor and always
answer without hesitancy, “no!” Except for this time before the
automatic “no” came a pause. My thoughts, “It’s just a few clinical
requirements. It’s not like overseeing a student’s entire midwifery
education. I can sign my name on her last few required
births.” Okay, I resigned to my always “never” answer.
I’ve come
to realize that my feelings toward teaching are not really how life goes.
(Duh!) Easier and more efficient ways of doing things in life are
usually never the soul-deep, fulfilling, or grace-giving ways of doing
life. So I’m learning, as a teacher, to slow…that my rush and easy
efficiency only empty my soul of the depth and wonder of a moment.
I’m learning that,
“In our rushing, bulls in china shops, we break our own lives.” –Ann Voskamp
And sometimes the lives others too.
I’m learning that,
“In our rushing, bulls in china shops, we break our own lives.” –Ann Voskamp
And sometimes the lives others too.
I’ve come
to love this teaching thing that I so insistently would never agree to. This
morning I sat next to Tara and watched her do amazing things as she helped
guide a new life into the world. I sat beside her while I watched her mad
sewing skills do way more than sew clothes. Last week Beth M. and I did
the same thing. I love how much learning something new and conquering a new
skill brings such a sense of deep thankfulness, accomplishment and wonder to a
moment.
Ann Voskamp
says, “In this endless cycle of grace, He gives us gifts to serve the
world.” I love the gift of teaching and learning in midwifery and I’m
thankful that it indeed serves the women of this world.
So fun to meet you face to face tonight! MUCH better than through images on Facebook or Instagram or the blogosphere! Your face lights up when you talk about your work here. Blessings to you sweet lady!
ReplyDeleteThank you! It was great to meet you too. Hope you have a wonderful time here. See you soon!
Deletebeautiful.
ReplyDelete