Focus on God’s Word
2Ti 3:16
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;2Ti 3:17
so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.
In regard to childbirth, this area has only been learned in part. We first endeavor to teach the students to become and walk as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. This includes being in the Word daily, and learning to hear that “still small voice”. By His spirit, God teaches us things that He wants us to know. While the students will be trained in both sciences and medical skills, it is crucial that students build their relationship with Christ and train their heart and spiritual ears to hear Him. The greatest things have been taught by the Holy Spirit, and always surpass a medical education. We say this humbly as it truly is a privilege to know Jesus and rest in His Word.
2Ti 1:8
Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;2Ti 1:9
Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
We also know that the Word is true in regard to being transformed in the Lord. This transformation takes place both in the hand of God in each of our lives, but on our part it takes place as we take the time to renew our minds to the truth of the Word of God.
Rom 12:2
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. NASB
We recognize God’s thoughts much more easily as we are in the Word. The Word of God is powerful. It changes us, and the things that the world, what the enemy puts on our hearts start dropping off. There is no entity out there that is more powerful than the Word of God. It is what God intended to use to change, heal, and transform our hearts. We can more easily recognize when God is speaking to us as our thoughts are lining up to His. We can recognize His prompting to do something, and when He is teaching us on principles our hearts are open to learn.
In the world that tries to intimidate Christian, our heart at CHAM is to stand fully on the Word. We teach these young women to walk as disciples and embrace the Word. We teach them to recognize that the Holy Spirit is their true teacher, and comforter; so rather than being intimidated as Christians, we believe, teach, and stand on the Word of God.
Rom 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
CHAM students will be involved in rigorous studies as well as attending births. Current students have reported a daily average of 2-3 to get through their book work. Both parents and husbands need to protect that time for the student.
If a student is unmarried and heavily involved in her family’s daily activity, serious and prayerful consideration to priorities and lessening of familial responsibilities is highly encouraged. From past experience, allowing and planning for study time is something that must be recognized and addressed from the outset.
For married students, husbands need to be aware and in agreement with the study time, births, and extra cooking. While the instructors and fellow students in the school become a second family, the last thing we want is to interfere with family productivity. However, if given the time to gain and improve skills, over time, CPM’s can help build their family economy.
It is our recommendation that a married CPM build a practice slowly—no calling or practice is more important than building a family. In the experience of the director and a few practicing CPM’s, a practical number is taking on 4-8 births/year while raising their family. The number of births to undertake should be covered with much prayer. We do not encourage mothers with small babies to attend births for a season. We pray for the husbands for each student, whether they are single or married. Midwifery is a special calling, and parents and husbands need to begin this process in agreement, assisting the student throughout each phase of learning.
Students are encouraged to attend a birth each month. In the event that a student cannot find a monthly birth to attend, the school can organize a birth intensive during the summer where a student can log 6-12 births in the span of 3-6 weeks.
Additionally, students will need to practice whole food cooking principles. For some families, this is already in place; for others, this will be a paradigm shift.
Another thing that both parents and husbands will need to help with is being the accountability person for the student when it comes to quizzes and tests. The details and needs in this are will be explained both to the students at the Retreat, and the parents on the phone.
Just like a missionary has special aspects of their calling, so does a midwife. It truly is a calling. As the school continues to be built, we will look for ideas from parents and husbands on fine tuning this study time and keeping the family running.