Same Time, Different Place

So, again, it is 2am Vancouver time, but from where I sit, high in a Japanese Hotel, it is 6pm, and 31 degrees on the next evening (14th). I am happy for my little (little but very efficient/cute) room and the air con. I just spent 12 hours with a travelling companion who is a Japanese mid-wife. She had been in Ontario sussing out their mid-wifery program - she says they are much farther ahead than B.C.! - and was on her way home. We spent the time sharing in a language of simple words, hand gestures, smiles and intent listening, as she told me of her 45 years of experience, the history of Japanese mid-wifery, her philosophy of birthing and her hopes for women in her country. I also learned some of her folk remedies, and together we pored over her Herbal remedy book discussing the plants that we both knew about. Can you imagine! On my next trip to Japan - (what next trip??? :) ) - I have an invitation to her traditional birth house - she kept using the word 'tatami' (?) - and she wants to come see the 'healing house' in Vancouver. Mid-wifery, doula-ing, spiritual companioning, birthing - all words that mingled into the day. I did not get to pull out my computer - need for sleep (3 hours), lack of space - but there was something about those words,....

My friend said often - '... birthing is natural and simple, something to be present to, nothing to be afraid of'. There are parallels to what I am heading into. In all of this conversation today, the thought I had and the prayer that found its way to the surface was that of being present to Christ and asking Christ how we ('we' meaning you pray-ers, too!) can minister to him as I am present to the church in Manila. A prayer that continues,...