Honoring Mothers Around the World

As the episode begins, Kristy asks Cissie about her times of traveling to witness maternal and child health programs in action. Emily Arneson, a senior programs manager in Vietnam, describes maternal and child health and the importance of knowledge, nutrition, healthcare, and sanitation to every family unit. Kristy connects with Cissie to hear the impact of these programs with mothers she has met in the field.

Tune in at 8:27 as Cissie tells a story of how she saw the strength of one woman change the future trajectory of a remote village in Libera. After Cissie shares testimonies of courageous women, Kristy relates them to Galatians 6:9, which says, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Whether it’s digging a well or building a fishpond, Samaritan’s Purse strives to strengthen women to impact their own communities.

“There’s this common bond between all of us: God made women. He made moms to be strong even in the storms. I think that we, even when we face these storms, the potential that women have is that we carry the strength and the courage for our families. That’s what I’ve learned from so many of these women.” – Cissie Graham Lynch“There’s this common bond between all of us: God made women. He made moms to be strong even in the storms. I think that we, even when we face these storms, the potential that women have is that we carry the strength and the courage for our families. That’s what I’ve learned from so many of these women.” – Cissie Graham Lynch

Kristy then introduces Barry Jensen, the Samaritan’s Purse country director for Cambodia. He shares his deep respect and love for the elderly women in his community, because he knows that reaching the age of 60 requires grit. He describes the current state that mothers are facing in Cambodia: many migrate across the border for work, leaving their babies in the hands of their grandmothers. Cissie adds that because of the Cambodian genocide 40 years ago, a generation of mothers and grandmothers were wiped out—leaving the next generation lacking knowledge and experience to guide them.

“We all have a void and a need that only Jesus can meet. Samaritan’s Purse uses programs aimed in Maternal Child Health to speak truth, offer hope, and give education. In areas of the world facing war, civil crisis, poverty, and not having basic necessities like clean water, mothers are hurting and need of hope. I was deeply impacted hearing about the programs and initiatives around the world.” – Kristy Graham

According to the World Health Organization, more than 810 women die each day from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. Cissie mentioned to Kristy this is due to the lack of access to healthcare and insufficient training, equipment, and transportation—challenges that many women around the world experience. Her heart breaks for women facing these difficulties, and she shares that even amidst their storms, God loves them and has not abandoned them.

Kristy shares part of her conversation with Ivan Mwase, the health and nutrition program manager in the Democratic Republic of Congo, about moms overcoming hardships during a civil crisis. One of the verses he loves to encourage mothers with is Proverbs 31:25, “She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she can laugh at the days to come.”

The episode wraps with Cissie and Kristy’s perspective after talking with moms around the world: all mothers need God’s revival to fill their hearts and lives. Samaritan’s Purse strives to bring physical and spiritual restoration to each mother, father, and child in need. Please remember to lift up mothers today in prayer for strength, courage, and joy.

Additional Audio

Listen below to raw conversations Kristy had with team members around the world.

Barry Jensen, the country director of Cambodia.

Emily Arneson, the senior programs manager in Vietnam.

Ivan Mwase, the health and nutrition program manager in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Key Stats from Samaritan’s Purse Programming

Cambodia:

• The percentage of children (aged 6-23 months) who received the minimum acceptable diet improved from 12.9% to 44.7% in the past three years

• 12,864 Pregnant and/or lactating women trained on maternal nutrition in the past three years

• 2,090 water filters distributed in the past three years

Vietnam:

• 139 Traditional Birth Attendants (TBA’s) will be trained by June 2020

• Nutritional products distributed regularly to 416 children under the age of 5 in the past year

• 360 home visits conducted on COVID-19 prevention, hygiene promotion, and nutrition education

Democratic Republic of Congo:

• 168 health workers (98 males and 70 females) received on-the-job supervision and mentorship on health and nutrition protocols

• During project implementation, the Gospel was shared with 1,592 people (350 males and 1,242 females)

• The project helped 16,486 total unique project beneficiaries (7,836 males and 8,650 females)