Home in the Phils

After a few long days of travel, I finally made it back to Tabuk! And I am so thrilled to be back.
Jet lag is currently taking over and I am seeing hours of the morning that I only wish to see when there is the promise of a new baby, but I am sure in a couple days my body will settle into normal routine here again. I am loving the familiarity of the heat, reliance on a fan, the sound of Filipino tv shows, and the excitement that the first of the month brings faster internet.:)

It is often surreal thinking about being back for second year, and that the next time I come home, I will be finished this program. Crazy! Last year flew by, and everyone says second year goes by even faster. While the appeal of home (of the Canadian kind) makes me wish the time will fly, my love for this place begs for the time to stand still. After a couple years of constant countdowns it seems, I've decided that this will be a year of no countdowns. I even deleted my countdown app ;) I intend to enjoy this year in it's fullness, making the most of the time and experiences I have here knowing that God has brought me here for a purpose. I can't wait to share the stories of second year with you!

As I write this, the sun has just risen on August 1st. The day my next set of clinic fees are due. As it stands I am still $1,500 away from meeting that goal. A daunting number maybe, especially considering the day. However, it's not an impossible number. There is nothing impossible about this. I have seen that to be true time after time, and I know that provision and faithfulness will continue. Will you pray with me to see that provision?

Before I go, I'd like to explain to you a little bit about these clinic fees. Tuition comes along with being a student, right? Not here. Instead, our "tuition" is in the form of clinic fees. These fees that are paid on Aug 1st and Feb 1st of every year in the program go towards sustaining the clinic that I volunteer and am trained at. It's actually pretty cool how it works. Each time a birth happens, I am able to see these finances at work. These fees help the clinic to run smoothly and ensure that we can continue to provide excellent midwifery care to the women of Tabuk and surrounding areas, while practically sharing the love of Christ with them.

I'd love if you would prayerfully consider partnering with me in this! That can be done by clicking the Donate button to the right, or, if you have questions about alternate donation methods please e-mail me at pagnucco.alexandra@gmail.com. Your monthly or one-time donation, whether $30 or $300 goes far towards seeing these goals met!


Thanks for reading!
A

Almost there...

5 days till I get to jump on a plane to a place I've been missing lots!
Until then, I am enjoying my last few visits with some pretty amazing people :)

My recent 30 hour drive west to Calgary (my last stop in Canada) gave me some much needed time think about the year ahead. While I am in a much different place heading back as I was when I first went, there are some things that are still fresh on my mind. Last year I stepped into this completely green in so many ways. I had never seen a birth. I had never been around a laboring woman. I had never lived in a foreign country. I had never needed to trust God so much to provide financially. I felt ill-equipped and empty handed. You'd think I'd be done with feeling that as I step into my second year, but apparently that isn't the case. What has changed though, is the perspective that God has given me in regards to that. I had the chance to share a bit of this perspective when I was back in Kamloops, but haven't spoken much of it since. Bear with me as I explain.

I have had the joy of learning over the past year, that no matter how ill-equipped or empty handed I am, God never sees me as such. When thinking about this, the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 came to mind. When you read this story in John 6 it talks about how Philip, when Jesus asks him "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?", responds rather incredulously that "it would take more than half a year's wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!". He's feeling pretty empty handed at this point I'm guessing. Then Andrew pipes up to say "Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?". They are not even close to equipped to handle this crowd. But you know what is really awesome? Jesus never looked at this situation and felt empty handed. He is the one who fills the hands. He is the one who equips. All he asked is that his disciples would be obedient in following him and in that, they became part of a freakin awesome miracle. He filled my hands and equipped me to get through my first year, and as I go into this second year, I know he will continue to do so. I find a lot of encouragement, and quite honestly, relief in this fact! Maybe you will too...


Before I began my trip home 8 weeks ago, I was in the position of needing $8,000 in clinic fees and very minimal expenses to continue working and training in the Philippines for the next 6 months. The clinic fees go directly towards ensuring that our patients can receive excellent midwifery care while also being shown the love of God by practically being his hands and feet in their time of need. Practically loving women through midwifery care has a greater impact than I ever could have imagined, and it is such a privilege to be a part of this. I am now in the final stretches, needing only $1,930 more to meet the goal! Seeing this provision is something that constantly amazes me. I know that God is faithful and that he will provide, but it doesn't take away the awe of it when it actually happens.
If you are interested in partnering with me in this, you can click the Donate button to the right. Whether monthly or one-time support, every bit makes a huge difference! Please contact me if you have any questions!

Much love,
A

It's that time again...

The goodbyes have started, quite sadly.

Besides saying goodbye to my wonderful friends in Kamloops, the past few days marked the start of the hugs, the tears, the "see you later's", and "the time will go by so fast!". I know the time will go by so fast. It already has. Yet, there is still a sting in having to say goodbye to friends and family. In the same breath, the closer I get to being back in my own bed in the Philippines, the more excited I am. It's a strange thing having so much of your heart in two very different places.

Over the past couple weeks, it has been absolutely amazing to see provision of finances continually come. There are few words to say besides, God is so good and Thank you! To the people who have supported me, whether prayerfully or financially, I am beyond appreciative. It is because of your generosity that I am able to continue the work and training in the wonderful little place of Tabuk. I am so excited to be able to go back, connect with my past patients, and care for new ones!

Just two weeks ago I was still in the position of needing about $6,000 to return to the Philippines. I am now only needing $3,100!! Pretty crazy if you ask me! While I often find support raising to be the hardest part of this whole journey, it is also very exciting. Every day I live in the reality that God's provision is so great. I will continue to trust that the remainder will be provided, and again that the last set of fees in Feb will also be provided. He is faithful :)

If you are interested in supporting my work as a missionary midwife in the Philippines, you can click the donate button to the right.
OR
You can also go to the GoFundMe page set up by my wonderful Aunt!
 http://www.gofundme.com/b28avs.

AND
If you would like to read a great story about a birth I had the privilege of being a part of, check out www.gthemidwife.com


Until next time,
A