Grace Chapel

April 1, 2012

A fistula is a medical condition brought

about by obstructed labor and/or trauma

leaving a woman with incontinence,

resulting in isolation from family, friends and society, a lack

of dignity, and a loss of hope

Obstetric and Traumatic Fistula

Photo courtesy of the Fistula Foundation

90% of fistula patients consider suicide as a solution

2-5 million women estimated to have fistula worldwide

The World Health Organization estimates there may be as many as 50,000 — 100,000 new cases of fistula each year, yet the global treatment capacity is less than 20,000 cases a year.

One $450.00 donation can provide a life-restoring surgery for one woman.

According to the United Nations Population Fund, success rates for fistula surgery are as high as 90% for uncomplicated cases (closer to 60% for more complicated cases).

Fistula Statistics

''These are the women most to be pitied in the world,'' said Dr. Hamlin. ''They're alone in the world, ashamed of their injuries. For lepers, or AIDS victims, there are organizations that help. But nobody knows about these women or helps them.‘ – Dr. Catherine Hamlin, The New York Times May 16, 2003.

Dr. Hamlin has helped 24,000 women overcome fistulas

The “Journey”

The “Bubble”

Awareness

Discomfort

Decision

Action or Inaction

Brooke MimiObliviously living my life within my “bubble of safety”

Read The Hole in Our Gospel – God used this book to burst my “bubble”, open my eyes, and break my heart

Awareness

Recalls a man dragging himself past a church. He will likely drag himself through the rest of his life because he was a victim of Polio. I had my Polio shot a few weeks before….it cost me $60

Discomfort

 ”A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.” Luke 10:31 & 32

Fear

Despair

Grief

Shock

Guilt

Discomfort Can Manifest Itself in a Variety of Ways *

* More of this is addressed in Gary Haugen’s Just Courage

“But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him,

he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him 34 . 35 The next day he took out two denarii[c] and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.” Luke 10:33-35

Decision

THE COST

If you are going to do something about your new awareness, it is going to cost you something.

BrookeI knew I had to “do something” but had no idea what it was; asked many to pray for me and remained open to God’s leading

Read Half the Sky – Revealed my calling for fistula…the stories of those living under its weight were seared on my heart

Decision

Inaction

Inaction

19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.” Luke 16:19-21

Action

Decision to create Circle of Hope

Establishing Hope for Our Sisters, Inc.

Willingness to lead Gathering for Hope

“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” ― Mother Teresa

Casting Stones…

Mission of Hope for Our Sisters, Inc. Our mission is two-fold: The first is to

raise awareness of and support for women suffering from fistula

The second is to encourage and mobilize women to follow God’s calling on their lives as they are invited to give of their time, talents and treasures.

When we speak at teas, gathering and events, we touch on both aspects of our mission.

Hope for Our Sisters, Inc. Guiding Verse

Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? (Isaiah 58:6)

Action

Bubble

Awareness

Discomfort

Decision

Inaction

We Want to Help Move People from

Hope for Our Sisters, Inc. is interested in encouraging the next generation to use their talents to help those who suffer from fistula. Today, on display, are two next generation photographers, Georgia Balentine (right) and Jessi Johnson (left). Georgia, age 14, had created the Sea and Surf collection after spending her family vacation in Washington State last summer. Jessi, age 10, created the Butterfly Collection. She began this project last summer while visiting her Aunt and Uncle in Wisconsin. She expanded her collection this spring while spending some time at the Butterfly Place in Westford, MA.

We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the

ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing

drop.Mother Teresa