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Babies 

An Outsider’s Perspective

Sometimes, its better not to have any expectations. That way, when something happens, you’re simply there in the moment, neither disappointed nor amazed. At least, thats been my experience during my recent trip to the Philippines. Over there, things don’t happen for any particular reason; they just happen. To abandon expectations does not translate into apathy or irresponsibility; rather it means you learn to handle things as you’re given them, when you’re given them.
In the Philippines, hospitals close for no apparent reason, turning away helpless patients; stores and restaurants are often out of stock; children go hungry while their parents gamble what little money they have in a cock flight; children with no hope for tomorrow are taken in by loving orphanages; the rich take advantage of the needy, and in a small clinic a new life enters the world everyday. Expectations are a lost cause in the Philippines because, truly, you never know what is going to happen.

One of the phrases I found myself repeating while I was there was, The Filipinos have shot themselves in the foot yet again! For example, there is an ongoing battle between the mayor and a barangay or neighborhood called Lahug. During the recent local elections, the barangay captain accused the incumbent mayor of inactivity. To prove the contrary, the mayor ceased construction of a new school in that barangay and will not resume construction until the barangay captain apologizes. Sadly, until they swallow their pride, the children are left without a school.
Similarly, due to rampant corruption and mismanagement, the public hospital of Cebu has decided to down-size and now only accepts emergency cases. This leaves moms with normal pregnancies to deliver in the local health centers with hilots, or government trained medical specialists. Honestly, I wouldn’t let them change a dressing on me with the medical training they’ve had. And so, the circle of destruction continues.
However, in the midst of all this, I found hope. I found hope for the Philippines in one simple truth: we CAN EXPECT God to continue the work he started in the Philippines. Each little life that is born in the clinic is a symbol of hope, innocence and what can be.

The city councilman I had the privilege of spending the day with is genuinely concerned about the people he represents and works for their benefit. His colleagues look for ways to take advantage of those they serve. He was a refreshing reminder of goodness. We met with a doctor whose interest in partnering with Glory Reborn to conduct STI research reminded us of God’s continuing provision. So, what exactly can we expect God to do?
As the clinic grows, we expect God will provide a new building. We expect God will continue to provide the financial resources necessary to operate the clinic. We expect God to provide discernment, strength and wisdom to Hilary and David as they look to the future. We expect God to have a plan and a purpose for each mom and baby who come through the clinic. And lastly, we expect God to continue to receive all the glory for everything that has been accomplished.
In small ways and in big ones, God reminded me of His complete faithfulness while I was there. In the midst of chaos, in the midst of asking why, God is there. HE is order and reason; HE is good. So, while it is sometimes wise to abandon expectations, especially in the Philippines where anything can happen, we can never forget to expect God. – JoRae Bishop

Australian Assistance

Well this month, we would really like to thank Homes of Hope International, one of our Australian Partners, as they made a financial contribution to Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies & Hopeful Hearts! Through their generosity we will be able to continue serving and assisting moms here in Cebu!

Glory Reborn is a registered 501(c)(3) organization, for more information on our status visit: the IRS or Guidestar. All donations made on this site, or to Glory Reborn are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.

1,000 Babies & Counting

Glory Reborn is so very excited to announce the arrival of Jeremei Sumarago born on April 15, 2007 at 1:20PM to Eliza and Teddy Sumarago. Jeremei is Glory Reborns 1,000th delivery! The very happy Sumarago family won the long awaited basket of baby goodies and the midwives had a celebration. This was the third baby boy for 24 year old Eliza who had a very normal labor and delivery. Leading up to baby 1,000 the Glory Reborn Staff were eager to see who would be the winner. Eliza couldnt have been a better example of the heart behind Glory Reborn. Eliza came to us in her 8th month of pregnancy. Though we do not regularly accept women beyond the 7th month of pregnancy, after discussing her case we decided to allow her to attend pre-natal care at Glory Reborn. Eliza had no job and her husband also was currently out of work. When Eliza arrived on Sunday morning in labor she was alone with no diaper bag or change of clothes for herself. As we admitted her for labor she began to tell us about her last few days. Her one year old, born April 2006, had been admitted into the hospital for convulsions and high fever. She herself was exhausted, hungry and covered with a skin infection from toes to arms. (Bacterial skin infections are quite common here due to poor living standards.) She was not exactly the mom that we had pictured for our 1,000 delivery. Stereotypically I think we all had in mind a happy couple who were eagerly awaiting their newborns arrival and here was Eliza, covered in rashes, all alone and with nothing. She most certainly was not as excited about this baby as the staff all was. But how perfect was this!?! How could we have a better representation of Glory Reborn for baby number 1,000 than Eliza?

She represented the very women that we came to reach. The poor, the hopeless, the exhausted, the lonely, the sick and of course the pregnant. She was the perfect mommy to receive a baby bath full of all kinds of wonderful baby stuff. She was the mommy that needed all the diapers, clothes, blankets, toys, nail cutters, bath soap, cotton, and outfits. She came with nothing and would leave with more than what two people could carry. I was honored to deliver baby 1,000. We prepared the basket for a baby girl as the ultrasound had stated and were shocked to see a baby boy gently welcomed into the hands of our intern and myself. It was a boy! Camera flashes we going off and midwives were clapping as Jeremei began to cry. He was the man of the hour! Even our security guard came up after to take a picture! Weighing in at 6.14 pounds Jeremei was healthy and ever so cute. Poor little guy got passed around for about a zillion pictures before and after his first bath and was dressed from head to toe in his new blue and white outfits. Eliza was so proud to have her baby and her new basket of goodies in the postpartum area with the other moms she was simply glowing! Her husband was eager to see the new little one and hear of the surprise they had won. How did we ever get to baby 1,000? It seemed like it went so fast. 1,000 healthy moms and babies delivered in our humble three bedroom apartment on Cabreros St. 1,000 deliveries without any clinical deaths. 1,000 little lives who will someday impact a nation. When the vision came to me to start a maternity clinic for the poor in Cebu 1,000 sounded impossible. To have baby 1,000 born into my hands was more than humbling and overwhelming. Hearing Jeremeis strong cry sounded more like the singing of angels to my ears. Tears and laughter and shouts of praise filled my heart and mouth. A vision that had been placed in my heart was now an overwhelming reality. We did it! Our amazing Filipino staff has helped us birth a 1,000 babies! What can I say but Praise the Lord for He is worthy to be praised!. Thank you for joining in the celebration of birthing a generation in Cebu, Philippines with us. We are eagerly awaiting to see the next batch of 1,000 and what Jesus will continue to do in and through us and Glory Reborn Org. Many, many, many thanks for your hearts that are reaching the Elizas and the Jeremeis of Cebu.

Current Expansion

As we have marked the milestone of delivering 1,000 babies, it is becoming clear to us that we are in desperate need of a bigger facility. The three bedroom apartment that we have utilized for the last three years has served us well, but it is time for Glory Reborn to expand its horizons. This year we will be starting a Capital fund that will go directly to helping Glory Reborn find a larger, more suitable facility. In the meantime, we are beginning to search for a larger facility that we can use. Ideally, we would like to find a place that we can lease to own. If you are interested in partnering with us in this aspect, please earmark your check Capital Fund and it will be allocated. Our goal is to provide the highest quality healthcare that we can, in the best facility available.
Tragically this month it has become more apparent than ever that something must be done in Cebu City. We have an ongoing relationship with the government hospital, which is supposed to cater to anyone in the city who cannot afford private medical care. They informed us this month, that along with the closing of their laboratory, x-ray, and general ward departments, that they will no longer be accepting women for normal delivery. They will only be accepting emergency cases. Our shock and dismay does not begin to cover what we are feeling, and we yet to have any clear answers from the government or the hospital administration regarding the reasons behind this shift. All we know is that the hospital is now referring all normal patients to our clinic! While we admire the flattery, we are a bit concerned about the healthcare problem that the city is facing, if indeed the government will continue to outsource its hospital operations! There seems to have never been a better time or place for Glory Reborn to be offering free care! Thank you for continuing to help us provide our patients with care, dignity, cleanliness, and the best medical service that they deserve!