BOM teachers called to be prophets to the nation

Dec 11, 2021

By Monica Choo
The 19th Conference of the BGM of the Natural Fertility Awareness Service of Malaysia (NFASM) was conducted online via Zoom over two weekends, November 27 to 28 and December 4 to 5. The sessions were attended by 101 Billings Ovulation Method® (BOM) teachers and 25 observers from West Malaysia, Sarawak, and Sabah.

NFASM is affiliated to WOOMB International (World Organisation of the Ovulation Method - Billings) which teaches the Billings Ovulation Method® to educate pre-marriage couples and others in observing and charting to understand the woman’s ovulation cycle to achieve pregnancy or to postpone conception. It is also helpful in monitoring reproductive health.

It is a powerful tool to ascertain fertile and infertile days. Abnormalities would be identified through the charts women record, thereby assisting couples to make responsible decisions to manage their fertility or infertility — without artificial contraceptives using medication, devices and operations which prevent the body from functioning normally and naturally. Couples become masters of their own fertility.

Archbishop Julian Leow graced the occasion with a welcoming address that echoed the importance of the role of BOM teachers in instilling conviction and educating married couples in the practical use of the BOM, thereby supporting them in realising the goal of responsible parenthood which ultimately fulfils and respect God’s design in natural pro-creation.

The conference started with a recollection by Bro Gerard Choo, SJ, who walked us through a series of meditation based upon this year’s theme: Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. And before you went forth from the womb, I sanctified you. And I made you prophet to the nations. (Jeremiah 1:5)

It was a time to reflect and be immersed in the light and love of the Holy Spirit, refreshing, motivating, inspiring and affirming us BOM teachers in our role as prophets to the nations. It was truly timely under the present circumstances when social distancing does not permit face to face consultation and teaching which had, for a time, come to a standstill, especially for communities lacking virtual connectivity.

During the conference, we had a series of upskilling and training workshops. Attendance is a requirement for re-accreditation as Billings Ovulation Method® Teacher (BOMT) every four years.

Dr Chan Lek Lim, NFASM Vice President & Associate Director WOOMB International, gave presentations on How to do Online Follow-ups, Simple Explanation of the Continuum and Signs at the Vulva which is a new PowerPoint Presentation produced by WOOMB International for worldwide use for the initial instruction.

Prof Pilar Vigil from Chile is a medical doctor in Obstetrics and Gynaecology with postdoctoral studies in Reproductive Medicine and Endocrinology. She is a medical director at the Reproductive Health Research Institute (RHRI) New York and Chile and a world expert in human fertility. She is also International President of TeenStar. She gave presentations on the Billings Ovulation Method® and Menstrual Disorders which shows new findings and research of the menstrual cycle; how BOM helps to identify menstrual disorders; a tool to track a woman’s reproductive health.

The second session was on TeenStar which engages children and adolescents on sexuality and affectivity and teaches holistic sexuality that includes the physical, intellectual, emotional, social, and spiritual aspect of the person.

Another international speaker, Bernadette Davies, is a physiotherapist who later did a Certificate in the ‘Biology of the Cervix’. She is Director of WOOMB International as well as the Coordinator of the Teacher Training Correspondence. She gave a presentation on New Way of Training in Pandemic Times. Given that the COVID pandemic has brought the world to a halt and social distancing has become the norm, WOOMB has packaged together a virtual Teacher Training Programme for use internationally.