Medical Mission 2003
- Maryanne Tibayan
- Aug 1, 2003
Question: What do you get when send a handful of people from BCI with a food allowance to travel in a large bus all over the Philippines?
Answer: A handful of very well-fed people from BCI whose cholesterol, sugar, and blood pressures were slightly higher than before their culinary tour of the Philippines and could have benefited from a medical mission themselves after their travels.
Just kidding ïŠ The fact that our group of balikbayans thoroughly enjoyed eating authentic Filipino food in the Philippines after as many as 13 years away from the motherland was running joke throughout the entire trip. However, it definitely was not just one big food trip…not in the least…there was real work out there for us-the Lord’s work, and He was surely faithful and with us every single step of the way.
We (Pastor Jerry, Ate Alpha, Kuya Ronald, the Cabreras, and I) left for the Philippines on Monday July 14th and arrived in the Philippines on Tuesday night, July 15th. Pastor Ed picked us up along with his niece Ate Lynn who would join us for the next two weeks. We arrived at Regine’s Hotel in our huge tourist bus some time later only to brave the streets of Makati to have a little midnight snack as we were quite famished. Thankfully there was a noodle house right next to our hotel (how convenient). It was then off to bed as we would need our strength for the next day’s orientation.
The next day, we were joined by others from the Philippines who would help throughout the trip. Pastors Nelson, James, and Eugene came to the hotel along with Ate Carmela, Jon Jon (Pastor Jerry’s nephew) and Doctor Lubugan. These wonderful volunteers were a great help and were great blessings from the Lord. We were also joined on this day by Kuya Art Aveno who was already in the Philippines and later on that day the Joya family checked in at Regine’s as well. On this day we were briefed on the plans for what would take place the next two weeks. We also sorted out much of the medicine for the seven sites we were to visit.
The next day was our first mission day in Taguig at the home church of the mission trip coordinator-Jean DagDag. Wow is the first word that comes to mind when thinking back on that day. As it was the first day, we really did not know what to expect but as soon as our team got there we were very busy really quickly. We arrived about 9:30 in the morning and first, Pastor Jerry presented the gospel to the large group that had already gathered before we even arrived. As he led the crowd in the sinner’s prayer, I’m sure many from our team were silently praying with me that people’s hearts would be softened in that place and recognize their need for Jesus. After the large group gospel presentation, the team then broke up into the different centers. First was registration. Next, was counseling where people were once again presented the gospel in a small group or one-on-one setting. After this, the patient would then rotate to the next station which was vitals signs where nurses would take the patient’s blood pressure, weigh them, and take down whatever complaints they had. Next, they would see a doctor or a dentist, get their prescription, and go on to the last station which was the pharmacy. This was, more or less, the format at the other medical mission sites. As Taguig was our first site, we definitely learned a lot. We learned what to do and what not to do, we learned where we needed to make improvements and what stations could use more manpower-it was quite a learning experience not to mention an exhausting one. I don’t remember sweating like that-ever. I was able to assist the dentists that day along with two of the Joya kids, Ryan, Timmy, and Kenny. It was amazing what those dentists did! They pulled so many teeth without even so much as a dentist’s chair, electronic tools, or even a sink.
I was amazed by a lot of things I saw those two weeks. God opened my eyes to a lot. First, is the reality of the situation in the Philippines. I think that being so far away and being blessed in living here in America, it is easy to forget that there are so many people struggling to meet their most basic needs in the Philippines. It was painfully clear that so many people don’t have sufficient funds to regularly visit a doctor or dentist and even more so lacked the funds to get medicine for themselves and their children. So many parents asked me for vitamins for their children. The sense of desperation one could feel from those we encountered was overwhelming sometimes.
This aim to alleviate some physical ailments, however, was our secondary concern. The main aim of this mission was definitely to bring the message of God’s saving grace to people. We sought to bring Jesus and the gift of salvation that is even more of a necessity than whatever medical expertise or medicine we gave out. It was amazing to see so many come to know the Lord and begin their relationship with Him as their Savior. Over-all, we were able to provide treatments to about 1,444 people, and 629 of them had the privilege of knowing the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior.
From Taguig we then had other mission sites in San Mateo, Calamba, Calapan- Mindoro, Mauban, Angeles City, and finally, Baguio. Kuya Freddy Camota joined us in the second week of our trip and one of our sites was his hometown of Mauban, Quezon. Also, Pastor Jerry’s sister, Ate Gigi, and her husband, Dr. Osvin, also joined and helped us in our second week. Another blessing from the trip was simply just getting to know our fellow teammates. Their willingness to work for the Lord in giving their time and effort was a big encouragement.
I was so blessed by the others that came along. Each and every person played such an integral role and I can’t imagine being without a single person that came along. The way in which such a group of people, some from NJ and some from the Philippines, who really did not know each other came together with one purpose in unity was definitely the hand of God. However, it was definitely clear to all of us that we could have used more help. Please begin praying for two years from now. He might even send you!
I am merely skimming the surface of what transpired during the mission trip. It was definitely an experience that my insufficient words could not do justice. God’s provision was constant during our time and his protection also steadfast. It was evident that we truly serve a faithful God and that we can lift up our prayers for the Philippines to Him.