Giving Mercy

When I gave birth to my children in 2008 & 2009, I had great experiences. I had excellent care and great facilities. I had some various complications throughout my pregnancy and again in delivery and was fearful for my children on a regular occasion, but I was bolstered by the confidence that I had in the medical attention that they would receive were something bad to happen. I was never more than a little fearful for my own well being, even during complications, as the medical staff met every need right where it began and took care of all of my complications in a timely, efficient manner. At the end of my experiences, I was blessed to bring home a handsome baby boy and a beautiful baby girl, whom I’ve had the joy of caring for and raising since.

It wasn’t until after my childbirth experiences that I was made aware of just how special they were.  When my friend Melissa told me the devastating statistics about women in Uganda – that 15 women die EVERY DAY during childbirth – I was horrified.  When I learned that this is happening so often because of a lack of sterile supplies, I was embarrassed at my own lack of gratitude during my deliveries.  I always knew in a very peripheral way that I was lucky, but I had no idea just how big of a difference things like a clean tool to cut the cord made in my life…and the lives of my children.

After Mercy for Mamas was founded and I saw just how effective a $7 kit could be, I was inspired to begin spreading the blessing of these kits to the mamas that I know and love here at home as well.  Now, when I attend a baby shower, I include a donation card representing a kit purchased in the mother & baby’s honor.

Stop and think about that for a minute: For the price of 2 greeting cards that will probably be tossed in the trash at the end of the shower, you can give life to a mama & child in Uganda in honor of your friend or family member.

I’ve been blessed to have a lot of babies born into my family in recent months. I’ve had a great time attending showers and loving on these new moms and have been privileged to donate mama kits along with the gifts that I buy from their registries. My prayer has always been that these little donation cards that they receive would help them realize what I didn’t understand enough when I had my babies - just how blessed they are to look forward to a sterile, safe birth and just how much of a difference their baby can make to someone on another continent, even while still in utero.

To give you an idea of what these $7 kits given in their name can mean to new mamas, I asked for some testimonies from some of my family that I gave them to recently.  Here is what those gifts meant to them:

Ashley, soon-to-be-mommy to a baby girl:

“Having a mama kit donated in honor of me and my baby was a very sentimental gift.  As I prepare to bring a child into this world, I know that the one thing I don’t have to worry about is not receiving adequate care or supplies.  I know God provides these mama kits to expecting mothers that otherwise wouldn’t have access to sanitary supplies.  Knowing that at least one mother will receive a kit in honor of me having a child is a humbling feeling and a blessing.”

Kelli, new mommy to a baby boy:

“It is amazing the technology and health benefits we have in America.  To think of giving birth without the basic sanitary needs is beyond me.  If for every birth and baby shower gift here, a mama kit could be purchased as well (or instead!) then the outpouring of love we share here can be passed along to the women in Uganda! To receive a gift in your honor means that someone is willing to pass that love along and Jesus’ love as well!”

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To donate a kit in someone’s honor, visit the PayPal link on the Mercy for Mamas website or donate through The Hope Venture.  We’ll provide you with a card that you can give to the special recipient to represent your gift and can provide you with further informational material as well.