Honoured by the Queen: Mavis Orton

Mavis Orton, a small, 74-year-old missionary nurse and midwife from Tamworth, England, was honoured by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on June 13, 2007.

Mavis, accompanied by ACTION Founder and International Director Emeritus Doug Nichols was presented the MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) at Buckingham Palace. Also in attendance were long-time special friends and supporters Geoff and Irene Foster of Tamworth, England.

Arriving in the Philippines in 1986, Mavis began a birthing home, delivering six to eight babies monthly. That has increased dramatically to an average of 124 deliveries monthly, or 1500 annually, in the simple bungalow where she dwells. She is assisted by a small group of colleagues and students.

Without professional help, these extremely poor mothers rely on friends or traditional “hilots.” Sadly, many mothers in the Philippines say, “Giving birth is like having one foot in the grave.”

The Shalom Christian Birthing Home is a ministry of ACTION, a worldwide Christian missionary organization that takes special interest in presenting the Gospel and compassionate care to the poorest of families and children of the world. The Birthing Home is based in one of the many poor suburbs of Metro Manila.

Mavis retired from the maternity unit of Good Hope Hospital in Birmingham, England, over 20 years ago to take up vital ministry with ACTION in the Philippines, a country of over 90 million people, with an evangelical population of only 6% to 8%.

Asked if she was honoured to receive the MBE as a special acknowledgement of her work, Mavis said, “I am 74, but I most certainly don’t feel 74. I do think the award is an excellent opportunity given by God to share the need of the ministry in the Philippines and also the need to expand the work with a larger birthing home.”

She then went on to outline her prayers and plans for a US$500,000 facility. She has already bought and cleared the site and has the first US$60,000 raised toward that goal.

Please pray for the ministry of the Shalom Birthing Home and the provision of finances and additional workers to assist Mavis in this vital work for the glory of God.

We praise God for the “little Lady of Tamworth” and for her trust in Him to use her for His glory in the 

Philippines.