Last month’s blog featured Jackson Carter who stressed that serving humanity is a way to serve God.  In October 2021, I interviewed Scott Patton and Rick Herrera, both of whom live in Kansas City, Missouri regarding how they gave of themselves.
 
Scott has been a paramedic with EMS in Kansas City for 36 years.  He attends Lakeland Community Church and has known Dignity:Liberia’s founder and president, Kathi Gutierrez, for 20 years.  His life has reached a point where he has been blessed enough to serve as a Dignity Advocate with Dignity:Liberia.  He said when God calls, great things can happen when you say yes.  He had been concerned about bugs, diseases, and the heat, but found there weren’t that many bugs, and that the heat isn’t much worse than Kansas City’s.  
 
Rick works for a company in Kansas City named Ace Pipe Cleaning.  His company’s president and the wife of the company’s vice president have been on church missions through Lakeland Community Church.  Listening to them talk about their experiences and seeing the videos they’ve made, made him want to “get off the couch” and “do something” instead of just writing a check.  Rick has previously traveled to Haiti.  He finds the hands-on experience to be much more fulfilling than simply providing funds. 
 
There are so many ways to serve as a Dignity Advocate.  Scott moved bricks, laid string to serve as plumb lines, videotaped interviews, and took polaroid pictures of some of the fistula survivors at the Phebe Rehab Center.  Rick helped dig a well that is still in use at the maternity waiting home site.  Both made friends and mentioned the contributions made by those with whom they worked.
 
After watching this brief video, you may be inspired to give of yourself.  If so, please complete this form to let us know your interest and to find out more.  You may not be able to take a trip to Liberia, but you can still contribute toward the maternity waiting home and fistula clinic by writing a tax-deductible check to Dignity:Liberia or donating online.  The important thing is that you give from your heart.
 
We thank you for your ongoing interest and support.  Merry Christmas!

I love little children.  They are born without prejudice and, until they learn otherwise, are innocent and trusting.  They are curious and love to imitate others.  They want to learn about everyone and everything.  They have energy to burn and are eager to please.  They are friendly and love to laugh.  They also bring out the child in adults.     
 
The children we met in Liberia were fascinated when the team showed up at the construction site.  They were captivated by Becky’s drone and looked on in awe when she put it into action.  When we went to nearby Varney Goyah Town to conduct community assessment interviews, they gathered around us.  They were highly amused by my taking pictures of chickens and coconuts.  Lizzy took my hand and skipped along beside me as we walked.  When we left to return to the construction site, they ran there on foot, taking a shortcut and showing up about the same time as our vehicle.  Rick had a bagful of candy that he gave them.  They gathered around him laughing joyfully as he passed out the sweets. 
 
At some point, someone decided to use a hose as a makeshift jump rope.  The children had fun jumping as the adults turned the “rope.”  They laughed in delight when the men jumped rope as well.  As I recalled all this the other day, I thought, what if they had never been born?  All those beautiful smiles never lighting up my heart or those of their parents. 
 
Sadly, not only do many women develop a fistula due to their prolonged labor, but their babies are stillborn.  Most of the fistula survivors I have spoken to lost their babies.  They didn’t just suffer a problem that causes shame and isolation, but they lost their precious baby - a baby that could have grown up with bubbly laughter and dreams.  Dignity:Liberia’s dream is to build a maternity waiting home that will provide a safe place to stay for a woman in the final days of her pregnancy. 
 
The construction of House of Hope and Dignity is well under way.  But we need your help in order to complete it and make it operational.  By donating now, you can make that happen.  Click here to make your gift.  Thank you.

If you are a regular reader of our blog, you know that a team will be traveling to Liberia next week to lay the foundation of House of Hope and Dignity, a maternity waiting home.  We are partnering with volunteers from NGO Office Manager Matthew Walters’ church, First Baptist Church Oldest Congo Town. 
 
Typically, the blog before a trip includes an introduction to the team members.  I find it inspirational to hear what causes a person to invest time and money in a trip to Liberia.  This time, however, you will meet most of the team after the trip.  All except Susie. 
 
This is Susie’s third trip to Liberia.  I met her last year at the airport in Newark, when we served together on a team.  I’m looking forward to serving with her again, and I am pleased to introduce her to you in her own words.

Meet Susie:
I love doing missions, loving on people and helping others. I also love meeting new people and seeing and experiencing different places and things.

I feel we’ve been able to help some of the lovely ladies in Liberia with their personal needs. Being female myself, I identify with the importance of these needs.
  
After becoming involved with Dignity:Liberia, it occurred to me that my own mother was a victim of fistula at the age of 16. Like many of the young ladies in Liberia, she was living at home with her parents after she got married, and my father was drafted into the military.  She became pregnant, and attempted birth at home like her mother and many others did in those years.  The doctor was called, and present, but delivery of my 9 ½ lb. sister was so difficult that it left my mother with a fistula.  Thank the Lord she was later able to have surgery, to be repaired.
 
I am a retired corrections officer; I spent 24 years with the Missouri Department of Corrections.  I just celebrated my 75th birthday in southern Louisiana, doing Disaster Relief with the Southern Baptist Association.  I enjoy physical activity, and the Chainsaw and Flood Recovery Teams in particular, in Disaster Relief.
 
During the past 12 years I’ve been on a Project Hope mission team to Managua, Nicaragua.  Besides donating to help them afford many ministries, I especially enjoy physically helping construct the little houses in the villages we build.  
 
Helping to build the medical facility in Liberia, like the houses in Nicaragua, would be so rewarding, knowing I have had such an impact on these peoples’ lives for years to come.
 
I’m anxious to see what part of the building activities I can actually physically do.  Then stand back and see the accomplishments.

A group of Dignity Advocates is traveling to Liberia in February.  An advance team is leaving tomorrow, and the rest of us will follow on the 20th.  I’m always curious as to what motivates people to take this trip.   I asked them to share their goals with me, so I could share them with all of you.   

Kathi Gutierrez, Founder, President, & Executive Director
I am really looking forward to going back to Liberia in February!  I have been thinking about all the reasons and I have identified 3 of my top reasons:
 
# 1-The people that are coming with me!
After a 2-year hiatus to get her Nurse Psych degree my beloved friend, Penny Grechus, will be returning with us. Penny’s heart lives in Liberia, and now she gets to visit it and nurture it so it will swell with over-flowing love. She will be able to help our fistula women emotionally through counseling. The women who have suffered a fistula have lost so much: a baby, family, health, friends-the list is long.  The average age of a woman in Liberia with a fistula is 22 years old and they have had their fistula for 5 years! Imagine going through all that loss before you’re 18. 
 
Last March a special group of ladies went with me to teach schoolgirls how to make Hygiene Kits. They learned how to make reusable menstrual pads. This is such an empowering project. As you know, education is so important for young girls. Having to miss school one week out of every month because you have a period puts girls at a big disadvantage. Many girls can’t afford disposable pads. The knowledge to make their own reusable, washable pads helps level the playing field. Last year this group taught 250 girls and women. The Ministry of Health was so impressed they invited them back to teach teachers of high school girls. The teachers can in turn teach more girls! Talk about paying it forward! What an honor to have these women rejoin us!
 
#2-I missed the fall trip.
After going in March, I was feeling that maybe I needed to take some time off.  Little did I know that I would lose my brother and sister within 9 months of each other.  My time off has allowed me to be with my family, grieve, heal, and rest. I am so grateful I had the time to focus on family at this critical time but I am feeling restless to return to my Liberian family. 
 
# 3- So much is happening and I don’t want to miss out!
Dignity:Liberia has been advancing toward the building of the Maternity Waiting Home. We have the money to buy the land and start the building, but there are aspects of the planning that we need to address and it needs to be face-to-face. Since we are only there twice a year, it is important we accomplish a lot! We are fortunate to have exceptional representation in Liberia, but they look to us for guidance.
 
We also sent over a shipment last fall and it has arrived and needs to be unpacked.  Be thinking about us Feb13-March 6th!
 
Thank for your support.
Kathi Gutierrez

Penny and John Grechus, Vice President
Penny and I go to Liberia feeling God's calling to do so.  The Lord has blessed us with home, family, education and professions; and, we have all too well served ourselves.  Now, it's about time to share.
 
Our goals for the trip are a renewed relationship with:
1) Liberian women who suffer and survive fistula, 
2) the Liberia Fistula Project and Dr John Mulbah's team,
3) the Fistula Rehab Center staff and participants,
4) the Liberia Ministry of Health, planners of strategically located maternity waiting homes,
5) medical and nursing schools, OBGYN residency training institutions,
6) our Dignity: Liberia, Liberia board of directors, and
7) Lott Carey Baptist Missionary School and it's superintendent, our host, Emile Sam-Peale and his household.
 
Primarily, we feel the urgency of getting House of Hope and Dignity, our maternity waiting home, on the map. This means legally securing property, infrastructure of road and utilities, and getting the building built.  Then the important task of getting the Lord's direction and getting the right people to help the waiting home become fully functional and integrated into the Liberia health service structure.
 
Penny and I desire to be the heart and hands to do what God has put in our souls to serve His people in Liberia.  We have found great joy in the journey and stories of its people.  Our American thoughts of 'doing' fall away in a Liberian way of "being."  We feel a strengthening bond of the Dignity:Liberia mission teams as we partner to serve with our Liberian friends, patients and professionals.   
 
Penny and I would like to thank those who donate to this service.  Matthew 10:42
 
Linda Thornsberry, Secretary
One focus of the February, 2020 Liberia trip will be to teach 200-250 teachers how to make feminine hygiene kits. 

In 2019, our team taught girls at Lott Carey Baptist Mission School, the Fistula Rehabilitation Center, and ladies and girls at Effort Baptist Church to make the kits.

We were pleased when the Liberia Ministry of Health invited us to return to teach the teachers.  As these teachers teach students and others this will greatly increase the number of girls and women who can make their own kits giving them important control in their lives.
 
We are blessed by this opportunity to return to Liberia to work with the girls and women to become independent in their personal lives. their own kits giving them important control in their lives.
 
Kathy Beth Stavinoha, Board Member
I’ve been involved with Dignity:Liberia since 2012.  I’ve spent time with those awaiting fistula repair surgery, as well as those who’ve had surgery.  Some were healed, while others were still leaking.  I understood what was going on in my head, but my heart didn’t comprehend the shame and pain, and the isolation caused by a fistula until 2018. 
 
In 2018, I interviewed 12 fistula survivors (see our series In a Fistula Survivor’s Voice) who were brave enough to share their personal tragedies on our website.  My heart was touched so powerfully by their words.  I thought if I hadn’t gotten it before hearing their stories, others may not have either. 
 
My goal for the February 2020 trip is to interview more fistula survivors as well as those who will benefit from learning how to make hygiene kits.  I’m also looking forward to standing on the land where House of Hope and Dignity will be built.  I’m eager to meet the ladies who went in March of last year and I’m very much looking forward to reuniting with my friends in Liberia.
 
Susie Calaway, Dignity Advocate
I am Susie Calaway from Chillicothe, MO and Calvary Baptist church. This is my second mission with Dignity:Liberia. I love to help and serve others and I fit right into this project. I'm a retired prison officer. The issues and needs of Liberian women touch my heart.  I’m excited and ready to go serve.
 
Kay Green, Dignity Advocate
My name is Kay Green, from Chillicothe, MO and my church, Calvary Baptist, has been involved with sewing projects for Dignity:Liberia for years.  It was my privilege to join the Dignity:Liberia team in 2019. From teaching the students, to the Rehab Center, to a distant village visit, I fell in love with Liberians and their hopes and struggles.
 
It will feel like homecoming to return with the team in 2020 to enhance and encourage women’s lives in Liberia. May God always receive all the glory in this mission.
 
Martha Griffin, Dignity Advocate
My decision to return to Africa for a second year was an easy one.  After my first trip was over, I told myself that if I was ever asked to go back, I would.

During my first trip to Liberia, we talked to a young woman who was not able to attend her college classes because she lacked feminine hygiene products.  She had recently been given a kit provided by Dignity:Liberia and was so grateful for the gift and the freedom it gave her.  As a fellow woman, that conversation had a huge effect on me and emphasized the importance of our presence in Liberia.  She attended the classes we taught and learned how to make her own hygiene kits.  Because of our presence in her country, this young woman and her friends were able to go to school and not worry about things we take for granted.  I feel like I found a purpose in Liberia and am honored to help out more young women like her.
 

A group of Dignity Advocates is traveling to Liberia in March.  For several years, these ladies  have sewn and sent feminine hygiene kits for the women in Liberia.  Now they will teach them  to make their own kits; thus, helping them to become more independent.  This trip will give the team a unique opportunity to work with the Phebe Rehab Center and girls from Lott Carey Mission Baptist Missionary School.  Read their individual goals for this trip below:

Vickie Ingram
Kathi gave a Dignity:Liberia presentation at a “Women on Mission” meeting in 2016 that I attended.  Linda Thornsberry is on the board and we attend the same Bible Study.  Linda learned of my history with mission work yearly since 2010.  In 2017, I had the opportunity to support these wonderful women, never dreaming my sewing skills would be a special need.  Everyone has a special skill.  Don't underestimate.

Vicky Sutherland
When I am not spending time with my six grandchildren, I can be found in the local fabric stores, planning my next project.  Anything from Easter dresses to embroidered tee shirts for my family pops out of my sewing machine. 
 
This will be my first organized mission trip and I am looking forward to witnessing what God has in store.
 
Linda Thornsberry
I look forward to my third trip to Liberia and spending time with the girls at the Fistula Rehab Center, seeing the new classroom building in use, and enjoying the new palava hut with the girls.  This is a special opportunity to help introduce my friends and new team members to what Dignity:Liberia does and the reality of life in Liberia.
 
Martha Griffin
I heard about the Dignity:Liberia program through Linda Thornsberry, who is a member of my church Bible Study Group.
 
Kathi visited our study group and told us about the work Dignity:Liberia is doing in that country.  I really enjoyed her testimony and desperately wanted to contribute; however, I didn't commit to actually taking the trip to Liberia right away.  For the last couple of years, I helped out by making personal hygiene kits and dresses for the girls there.
 
After thinking about my involvement in the program over the past couple of years, I decided to jump in all the way and commit to going to Liberia to help teach the women how to sew the kits.  I feel like God has blessed me with both the means and gifts.  This is an excellent opportunity to put both of those things to good use.  I thought that if I didn't go now, I might never go, so I decided a couple of months ago to make the journey.
 
I am excited to see what God will do with me when I am actually there.  I have seen pictures of the Liberian girls wearing dresses I have made in the past, but I know it will be even better to see them in person.
 
Susie Calaway
I am a retired corrections officer.  I have done missions in Alaska, Illinois, and Nicaragua for nine years now.  I love being the hand and feet of Jesus.  I am anxious to see what He is doing in Liberia and join Him.
 
I once had the opportunity to join my church ladies group in sewing dresses and making hygiene kits for Dignity:Liberia.  Kay Green invited me to join in on this trip.  We enjoy traveling and doing missions together.
 
Kay Green
I am a retired math teacher and play the roles of mother, wife, and volunteer.  I first heard of Dignity:Liberia in the WMU MOSAIC MAGAZINE in July 2013.  Kathi came to the Baptist Home in Chillicothe, Missouri, to tell us about Dignity: Liberia and help the ladies start sewing dresses for the project.  When delivering their dresses and meeting Linda, my church involvement grew.  We sewed many more dresses and hygiene kits and sewed on site with First Baptist Church of Lee's Summit, Missouri. 
 
I have done missions work in Belarus, Taiwan and Nicaragua and am very excited to arrive in Liberia, work with Dignity:Liberia, make new friends and help empower the Liberians to new heights and dreams, all the while giving credit to God for this opportunity.
 
Kathi Gutierrez
This trip will be special because for nine years these ladies have been making dresses, hygiene kits, and book bags for the Fistula Survivors.  I know they have made over 700 dresses and I am excited for them to finally meet the survivors and teach them how they make the things they make!  They are a representative group of seamstresses that have worked so hard for Dignity:Liberia so I think it will be very satisfying.  We are getting closer to purchasing land for the maternity home and that is very exciting.

Can you feel the excitement?  We are just a couple of weeks away from heading back to Liberia.  Anne-Marie, Kathi, and Becky are going early in order to finalize plans prior to the rest of the team’s arrival on the 29th.  Many of us are very familiar to you, but we have some new dignity advocates in the group as well.  I wanted to use this blog to introduce you to this trip’s team members.  I asked them to tell me what they hope to accomplish or learn in Liberia.  I hope you enjoy reading their responses as much as I did. 
                                                                                                                                         --All the best!  Kathy Beth

Anne-Marie Mueller shares that “I am a retired RN who has practiced as a pediatric, cardiac, PACU nurse and as a nurse educator.  I graduated from the Oregon Health Sciences University with a BSN in 1980.
 
The goal I have for each trip I make is to meet with the Phebe School of Nursing staff to share teaching materials, to educate staff and to learn what current needs exist for nursing education in Liberia.  I feel that the future care of fistula patients is dependent upon Liberian nurses.
 
The second thing that I always hope to accomplish is to recognize the ‘plenty’ that we live with in the US and to figure out a way to share that by empowering without enabling my Liberian friends.  Meeting with the girls and women at the fistula rehab center is very grounding.”
 
Charlie Mueller responded, “Having grown up in Liberia, her people remain close to my heart.  I continue to look for ways that I as a burn and general surgeon can positively impact some portion of health care in Liberia.  Our group works mainly with women with fistulas but the overall health care needs are great.  Increasing health care capacity through collaboration with nursing schools, resident education, and working closely with our physician partners in Liberia can and will have an overall impact.  This trip I am planning to meet and work again with our longstanding partners, Drs. Mulbah and Jallah, as well as the physicians and surgeons at ELWA and Phebe hospitals.  My rewards come from teaching the teachers, helping support what they are doing longitudinally over time.  And, I really enjoy going back to the land of my childhood, showing my friends and family what a wonderful country Liberia is, filled with warm and welcoming people.  Finally, I just plain love the food!”
 
Kathi Gutierrez is the founder and president of Dignity:Liberia.  When asked why she is taking this trip she said, “I am going because of follow up on Maternity Home connections, etc. and I am a driver.” 
 
Becky Huner writes, “I work currently as a Neonatal ICU Nurse and a Clinical Nursing Instructor.  I hope to build more relationships and also to define a path for our next trip.  It would also be great to see about purchasing land for the future building.”
 
Erin Malmgren replied, “I have been a nurse for 7 years now.  I started in the float pool and emergency department and have been at the Oregon Burn Center for the last 5 years.  In Liberia, I am hoping to have my eyes opened to what working with little resources truly looks like.  In the current state of healthcare, coming home with some perspective to bring into my nursing practice would be amazing.  I know I could spend more time being grateful during my shifts at the burn center.  I have enjoyed exploring and traveling the world for fun but I have always wanted to serve abroad in a medical capacity.  Being immersed in a new community and culture does wonders for personal growth and I am excited to see how our time in Liberia can trigger professional growth as well.”
 
Caroline Cravey answered, “I’ve worked at the Oregon Burn Center for 5 years as a registered nurse.  I’m excited to learn from healthcare professionals in Liberia and hopefully be able to share some knowledge I’ve acquired.  I’m passionate about helping others gain the education and expertise they need to increase self-sufficiency and I’m really excited to travel with a group that shares those ideas.  Traveling and providing service to others are two things that really inspire me and help me find meaning and I am so excited to be able to combine them on this trip.”
 
Nicole Swaney is a physician specializing in pediatrics.  She did not have an opportunity to send me a response.  I first met her on the 2012 trip.  She spread joy everywhere we went and was very popular with everyone we met.  The picture I used was taken on that trip.
 
I, Kathy Beth Stavinoha, have worked at St. Edward’s University in Austin for 18 years, 13 of which as a prospect researcher.  I try to match the passions of individuals and giving interests of foundations to the needs at St. Ed’s.  In Liberia, I hope to get very specific information to use in grant applications for our maternity waiting home.  In addition, I plan to ask some of the fistula survivors to tell their stories in their own voices and share those on our web site.

While in Liberia, we will post updates as Internet access permits.  We love hearing back from you so please post questions and comments on our Facebook page.  Thank you for your support, thoughts, and prayers.