Mission Trip to Uganda

Marilyn Ruth is organizing this fundraiser.

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Dear Family and Friends,

In 2019 I had the privilege of going on a mission trip to Uganda with an organization called Mercy for Mama's. Many of you were witness to the joy I felt being able to be a part of this and supported me in so many ways. Although it was my desire to go back some day I never knew if I would have that chance, but to my great delight a second opportunity has presented itself.

THE BACKSTORY-WHY UGANDA

Why Uganda indeed? I cannot explain why I felt drawn to this place but I did, and it started many years ago during a video presentation at the church I attend. This recap of a mission trip to an orphanage that we support in Uganda stirred something inside of me. I turned to my husband and said "I want to go on a medical mission trip to Uganda someday." I had never been on a mission trip, but I could not deny the pull I felt in my heart. So, I put this desire on the back burner of my life assuming it was just one of those far off dreams that may never happen.

PRESENT DAY

How did this second opportunity come about? It certainly wasn't something that I was actively pursuing. Unbeknownst to me, a trip for this coming year was planned and several of the medical professionals who had planned to go had to cancel. This created openings that needed to be filled to best meet the goals of this trip. The director of Mercy for Mama's reached out to professionals who had served before -myself included. My initial reaction was "YES!!!!" I couldn't believe that I might be going back. Although I was excited, the trip was happening in a little over 3 months from the call and I needed to consider whether this could actually work. Fortunately, I am now retired....(well, semi-retired, hahaha) which I wasn't in 2019, so my days are a little more flexible. With that in mind, I took a leap of faith and said "Yes!" Even my husband is on board with this trip, so I am confident that God's hand is on this for me.

THE MISSION

As I said, I will be going with an organization called Mercy for Mama's(www.mercyformamas.com). In this country you must provide your own medical supplies (gloves, cord ties, soap etc) especially if delivering in a hospital. Many women cannot afford these supplies and therefore they end up having to give birth at home, often without trained professionals. Every day women die or suffer horrible complications from childbirth, most of which could be prevented with prenatal care and access to basic medical care. Mercy for Mama's provides these women with "mama kits" that include everything they need for childbirth. What a difference this kit can make in the lives of these mothers! During the trip in February we will be traveling to some of the outlying villages and health clinics to distribute these mama kits. Before we give the kits we will be teaching on nutrition, the importance of prenatal care, childbirth education and breastfeeding. We answer questions they have and listen to stories and concerns that they share about their lives. We will do routine prenatal visits with the help of local midwives and health care professionals. These women walk for MILES to have this education and to receive a mama kit. The joy on their faces at the end of this day is priceless!

THE ICING ON THE CAKE

As thrilled as I am that my training as a nurse will be of use on this trip, I am more excited about the spiritual support we will be able to offer to these women. The core of who I am as a person is the love I have for Jesus and my faith in God's plan for my life. Although I do my best to live this out in the care I give my patients, its not something I am always able to share with words. Meeting the practical and real life needs of these women AND to be able to share the gospel as well as pray for a safe delivery, for the concerns of their lives, for the health of their babies and families...this is my "icing on the cake".

THE COST

The estimated cost of this trip is about $2500 (airfare, lodging, food, and transportation). I'd love it if would consider financially supporting me. No gift is too small-a little goes a long way in a trip like this. If you want to know more about the trip please let me know and I would be happy to talk about the details. You can also go to the website( www.mercyformamas.com). Whether you choose to support me financially or not I would greatly appreciate your prayers as we prepare for this trip. Pray that doors would be opened and hearts would be reached as God uses us as his hands and feet.

NEVER did I imaging, all those years ago, that the medical mission trip I dreamed of taking would end up being one that utilizes all the skills and education I have received for the majority of my nursing career and that I would get to serve not just once, but twice in my life!! The Bible says "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mothers womb." As I think of this in relation to my heart for educating women in childbirth and serving them during the labor and delivery process, I believe this is how God has "knit me together" and one of the ways I serve in this world.(apparently here and abroad :-))

Below are some pictures from my first trip. Mama's with their kits, me teaching childbirth at an outreach and lastly the postpartum patients that delivered during the outreach(and got to use their kits :-) )enjoying their babies with their families before WALKING HOME!