All of this in
the midst of full and part time study of Cantonese - writing, speaking
and reading. Jeremy was born to us in Hong Kong in 1979 due to the more
modern hospitals there than in Macao.
From 1980 to 1994
the Lord planted us unexpectedly at our international headquarters in
Long Beach, California and later at our relocation facilities 200 miles
north in central California at Woodlake. During this time added to our
family were Bryan (1981) and Kimberly (1986). Those 14 years at HQ were
challenging and fulfilling and we knew that it was where we were supposed
to be. I was involved in administration, accounting, missionary training,
evangelism, and a host of other things.
My heart was stirred
to return to the foreign field to assist somewhere in Asia for a short
term. A tall order since our kids were older. The Philippines is where
the Lord directed so over the next 2 years I was on the road raising
more prayer and financial support to transition a whole family to Manila.
We arrived mid-1996 and relocated back to California mid-1998. During
that short stint ours hearts were hooked for the Philippines. Besides
working with our CinA churches in leadership training, ministry coordination
and strategy, the most significant efforts went to further develop a
growing Philippine's medical mission evangelism outreach coming out
of CinA international Kadena Community Church in Okinawa, Japan (http://kcci-online.org/)
through the superb leadership of Glenn Kennedy and the excellent participation
from our Manila pastors and their churches. Through the Lord's guidance
and direction we saw the ministry blossom. Our family move back to the
U.S. allowed me to not only recruit for volunteers but also promote
the outreach up close and personal. In addition was able to actually
coordinate the logistics via e-mail and make 2-3 planning trips to the
Philippines during the year. I found my heart in the Philippines and
it has been my passion to see that ministry develop even more working
under Pastor Glenn Kennedy. In the last five years over 25,000 poor
people without access to basic medical and dental care have been treated
by our teams of doctors, dentists, nurses, and volunteers. As a result
of this Christ-centered care nearly 50% of those treated made professions
of faith in Christ. Our strategy involves the local churches and volunteers
to assist in follow-up care so we have a wide base of community support
as these new believers are integrated into local churches.
To top it off,
while in Manila, Becky was being trained as a lay midwife at a birthing
home for urban poor women operated by caring missionaries. The program
is well-rounded giving women instruction in prenatal to postnatal care
including nutrition, etc. All services rendered were always free of
charge for the women. Becky actually had hands-on experience in delivering
20 babies herself (always with a certified midwife by her side) and
she found her niche. That is why when we returned to the U.S. she enrolled
in our local community college, completed her general education requirements
and was accepted into the Registered Nursing program. On May 20, 2003
Becky graduated salutatorian and gave a short speech (see below). In
June she will take her State Board examination but will be working in
the meantime. I am so proud of her. She will be an excellent addition
to that profession. This also gives Becky a stable career when the Lord
finally calls me home, whether that is this year, next year or years
away. The Lord knows how to take care of His children.
Becky's speech at her graduation from the Registered Nursing Program,
May 20, 2003.
"Hi, my name
is Becky Sutherland.
Making a difference
– that’s what I think about when I think of nursing. Nurses
make a difference. Whether it is helping a woman bring her newborn into
the world, soothing a frightened hospitalized child, making a home visit
to assess a newly discharged patient, administering a life-saving drug,
or holding the hand of a dying elderly man – nurses make a difference.
On this stage sit
39 people of all walks of life, different genders, and different ages,
but one thing we have in common is that we will soon be registered nurses
ready to make a difference in the lives we touch.
Making this difference
could not have been done without the support of the many family, friends,
and faculty sitting in front of us. Cheering us on with words of encouragement
and acts of kindness have kept us in school.
There is one particular
person to whom I especially applaud – my husband and best friend
of over 27 years. Just over a year ago we were told he had terminal
cancer, and although his body is now wracked with cancer his spirit
is ever strong, kind, and giving, and his faith in God is unending.
I always teased my husband during these past years of schooling that
I would buy him pom-poms; for he truly has been a wonderful cheerleader
for me – never complaining of the long hours of studying, but
instead encouraging me with notes slipped into my pockets or hugs telling
me he was proud of me. Well, Honey, I got them – these are for
you (pulling out pom-poms from podium)….and they are for all of
you who have been cheerleaders for us in ways you may never know.
Thank you for cheering
us on and thank you for making a difference in our lives so that we
can make a difference in the lives we touch as nurses. Thank you and
God bless you."
