Charis Around the World

Tidbits From Ebony
by Elizabeth Carmichael

Dear Charis Family,

Spring has arrived!!  Thank you for your patience as I wasn't able to get a Tidbits article out last month.  It has been busy, busy, busy around here lately.  One thing I have learned this Spring is that, when it is time to plant trees, it is TIME to plant trees!  It can't wait!  It must be done.  In the villages where I work, the local community, with the help of our project, distributed over 300 fruit bearing trees to individual homes, school grounds and other community owned property.  Since the tree plantings, the Lord has been so gracious to send abundant rain to this land!  I have never been so intimately involved with an agricultural project to the extent that I truly rejoice every time it rains.  When it rains, God does all the work.  The trees receive a reprieve from the salty water they normally have to drink in this part of the world.  Women and children receive a reprieve because they do not have to pump and carry the water to each tree.  Men receive a reprieve because the little money they earn doesn't have to be used for electrical pumping of the water, where that is necessary.  As the bright green leaves spring out on the branches, we are all reminded that God alone "brings the increase."

Lately I have been pondering the role I have in journeying with several families toward childbirth or parenthood.  Because of my role in this development project over the past year, I haven't been so intimately involved in the childbirth process with women.  Once in a while I can help a woman with a question, or I do my best to provide a one-time prenatal visit when no one else is available.  But, I haven't been to a birth in many months and, often, the stories I hear of women being helped come not from my personal interactions, but those of the women I help to train.  THEY get to be the hands and feet of appropriate maternal and infant care around these parts.  I'm happy for them to do that.  It is incredibly empowering for them and helpful for local families to have LOCAL help, rather than depend on a foreigner.

So, I don't really get to be a "doula" to anyone these days.

Yet, often the Lord brings opportunities to be a more holistic doula than I ever would have dreamed--not only serving in the physical and emotional realm of life, but in the spiritual.  I have found that prayer can be one of the most important, most formative, "tasks" I can do as a doula.  Certainly, prayer during the course of labor is important, but what about prayer during pregnancy or even before conception?

I am learning that "doula" doesn't have to be a short-term concept.  That there are many chances to journey for a long time with a family and "doula" them through faithful intercession.

I have heard "intercession" defined as taking someone's hand and grasping the hand of God, and pulling the two towards each other until they are entwined.  Every theological word picture has its limits, but I have grown to really appreciate this concept.  I want to serve God and serve people by lifting them to His throne until, together, we see the Kingdom come in their lives....in whatever form He chooses.

Right now, these are the families I find myself being a "prayer doula" for.  I invite you to join me in praying for them this month.

1.      A local family from Ebony is unable to bear children.  The wife is a woman I work with and one of my closest Ebony friends.  Her husband has shamed her because she hasn't borne any children to him. She has been through countless, harsh medical procedures.  Her husband took another wife, which is allowed in their culture, so that he could have babies.  So far, he has two and my friend is left lonely and longing.  She is one of the most mature, tender women I know.  She would be an amazing mother.  And, in fact, she is more of a mother than she realizes to the many helpless women and children she serves on a daily basis.  Recently, a doctor told her she has hope of bearing children.  She is about 33 years old now.  Her entire countenance is brimming with desire and anticipation.  Might she get pregnant?  I am trying to serve her through prayer.  Will you also be a doula for her until God's will is born in her life?

2.      An American family who lives in a nearby country have several children.  They fell in love with natural childbirth when they were on their second pregnancy.  Daddy delivered that sweet girl and she was born without fear, in a very surprising way.  Their little boy was almost lost in pregnancy.  Through prayer, and by God's grace, the pregnancy was sustained and that little love is celebrating his second birthday this week!!!  Mamma is pregnant again, but recently lost one of the babies they had conceived.  We are praying that this current pregnancy continues on with great health and strength.  God has been so good to bless this family with more and more children who are brighter Lights than you can imagine!  God has called me to "doula" this Mamma through prayer from afar.  I bet she could use a prayer from you right now too!

3.      A woman lives in one of the most conservative and remote parts of the world.  She longs for a natural childbirth.  She reaches out for help and input, but also faces conflicting advice and the fear of others--a burden to be managed.  I have just begun to pray for her, pre-conceptions and hopefully also through her next pregnancy and delivery.  Will you pray for her?  Might you consider serving people like her?

4.      A young couple have been married for several years now.  With a heart for the nations, they have equipped themselves through experience and education so that they are more ready than ever to serve Him wherever and however He desires.  Yet, the one thing they are most certainly called to is not happening.  They have not been able to become parents, yet, although God has put the desire and also the call upon their hearts.  These people will be true GIFTS to whomever has the privilege of being loved and provided for by them!  I've prayed for many years, with them, that they might conceive. I still pray for this.  God has funny ways about conception.  He may seem to toy with a mother's heart, only to show Himself later as the Master Redeemer, working a plan that has so many more far reaching implications, and so much more glory, than anyone involved could ever have asked for or imagined.  There is always more to the story.  Right now, this couple are working hard to adopt some very precious souls.  They have many challenges ahead of them.....many wide open doors for God to show Himself Good, Faithful, The Provider, The One Who Sees.  And, He will.  I love joining Him in His work in this family's life.  He is going to grow their love deep and wide in ways that reflect and magnify Him to the world!  You can be a prayer doula even if someone isn't headed toward physical childbirth.  Would you pray for this Mamma and Daddy to finally receive into their arms the children God has planned for them?

Countless numbers of oversees workers need your prayers as they journey through pregnancy, delivery, and as they get to know their babies and adjust their family lives while also navigating the challenges of a cross cultural environment.  Consider asking around to discover who you could serve as a prayer doula for.  It is such an honor to journey together with God's people.

Much love,
E.C.

 

Our International Charis Family
Your stories from around the world touch us and we pray for your safety.
Thanks, Love and Blessings to every one of you!

 'Behold, I will bring them from the north country, And gather them from the ends of the earth,
 Among  them the blind and the lame, The woman with child and The one who labors with child,  together,
 A great throng shall return there...And My people shall be satisfied with My goodness, says the LORD.'
 Jeremiah 31:8, 14~~~
©2011 Charis Childbirth Services, All Rights Reserved
Feel free to forward this newsletter to friends in its entirety, leaving all attribution intact.
April 2011