sa aming kahinaan, ang kadakilaan ng Diyos ay nakikita...Ito ang ACROSS volunteers, matapos ang isang mission (pansinin ang ngiti sa aming mga mukha!)

Bringing Christ Across

I simply believe that there is a mystery of the ordinary, that the commonplace is full of wonder, and that this life that we call Christian is different from what we think it is. It is infinitely more subtle, more powerful, more dangerous, more magnificent, more exciting, more humorous, more delicious, more adventurous, more involved, and more troublesome than most of us think. Through Christ, each of us is capable of an almost unbounded courage of compassion, and that to live fully this life that God has given us, no matter what circumstances may be, can be a rare and ennobling experience.

-Tim Hansel, You Gotta Keep Dancing

I consider myself privileged, to be able to have the chance to glorify God by serving other people. What more could I ask for?? It is a bonus indeed for me that He has blessed me with the acquaintance of the ACROSS ministries. As a volunteer, I am able to live out Christ’s example, especially to our underserved brethren. I do not even consider it work, for I am in the company of fellow pilgrims.

Oh, yes, the volunteers go through a lot of toil. As one dentist puts it: “we pack, we travel, we set up, we serve, and then pack again”. Added to this, there are always glitches or unexpected events in between. But, no matter what the cost, the volunteers in the team serve in every medical, surgical & dental mission, with delight in their hearts. This joy emanates from the shared passion to love & serve Christ by making Him known across places, people & cultures.

The first destination for summer of 2005 was Lopez, Quezon. We started our journey early in the morning, commencing from Pastor Celso’s place in Teresa, Rizal. Devastation form the past typhoons was still visible all over the province. My heart was filled with apprehension then, because I knew I was the only medical doctor in the team. I was praying for more grace so that I will be sustained, despite the large number of expected patients. But, the Lord has proven once again that He has gone ahead of us, in our endeavors. The three nurses in the team worked double-time to help me in extracting the medical histories from every patient. We experienced a little delay in our banca ride to Burdeos, but again, the Lord blessed us with gracious people who welcomed the whole team in their home (even without prior notice). We slept comfortably and even had the luxury of a bath before our long trip in the open sea!

It is an understatement to say that the trip to the island of Burdeos is long. Boarding the banca became a task in itself, for we had to squeeze all our relief goods, medicines, volunteers in the fishing vessel. Prayer warriors were at work and our pleas were storming the heavens. We lifted our task to God; we placed our safety in His able hands. It was no joke to ride the vessel, all crammed up for four hours, over the deep waters!

Mission work was held for two consecutive days. The queue of patients was long, as expected. But no one complained. Despite the heat, people knew their roles to play. Just like the first community of Christians, everyone helped one another. Needs were met, individuals worked as one. I can’t help but feel awe in every mission; for I know that it is only by the hand of God that these things happen. Christians from different places, with different states in life, having different concerns, worked for a common goal…and all felt genuinely blessed! It was just apt to have capped the trip with a worship service led by Pastor Celso.

Baguio City was the next itinerary. The team was excited, since the climate there was a breather from the high temperature in Manila! It was also a different experience for the beneficiaries were our Muslim brethren. At that time, most of the volunteers were anxious; and why not?? We were briefed to expect a hike in the mountainside! The slippery terrain provided by the rainfall only made matters worse. Truly, I am proud to be part of this group of Christian soldiers, all the more. No race, bad weather, denomination or religion, served as a hindrance in glorifying God. After all, we are our brothers’ keeper. And so, God’s unconditional love was abounding to warm everyone’s hearts (despite the cold weather!). The team became effective stewards in the areas near Crysrtal caves and Ambiong, Benguet.

I look forward to every mission that I join with the ACROSS ministries, not only during the summer, but the whole year round. In this period when most doctors are trying their best to seek employment abroad, I’m glad that I stayed behind. As for me, every trip to another place in the Philippines is a different experience. I get a glimpse of God in the beauty of His creation, in the different places I go to. I see His face in the patients that I serve. I witness Him working thru the dedicated volunteers of the team. Poetically speaking, I chose to take the road less traveled; and I cannot shake the dust from my feet.

matapos maglakad nang yapak, ng halos apat na oras sa Capiz...

Preparing for A Trip

I am fond of traveling; be it by foot, on different modes of transport, or even just by using my imagination (what the heck! aka “daydreaming”). I like to go on trips not only because I get to visit different places, but I am more excited about the eventualities that come with every journey. I find it very enriching to be able to meet people from different walks of life and interact with them in various situations. I look forward to every passage, way before it begins; and I relish it, way beyond its end or closure. ;p

I would say that the preparation for a trip is crucial. As I went to and from provinces a lot, for the past two years, I devised my way of packing systematically! It was a process in itself. The first few trips were really frustrating. It was quite a burden to be carrying extra articles of clothing, or unused blankets/socks/slippers, when I had to carry them all the way to some remote barrio (read: a few hours of hiking in the mountains & crossing chest-deep rivers). It is usually by the hard way, where we learn. And learn I did. And so, the trick was to carry an extra piece of everything only (shirt, undergarment, etc.) beyond the number of days away from home…Simple?? Not quite.

As a consequence of packing ala’darlethy, I am required to pack light. But, I had difficulty fighting attachments, vanity, insecurity, obsessive-compulsive behavior every time. I am always tempted . I am beckoned by the urge to bring things, which I learned from experience, are not “necessary” (fan, books, CD player, etc.). Trivial questions pop in my mind:

“What if a storm comes and we get stranded in the barrio for several more days?”
“What if something unexpected comes up?”
“How about my companions, will they bring a mirror??” ;p
(Well, I actually witnessed a companion bring a hair dryer!)

In these occasions, I let my imagination reign and think of horrible possibilities. I compare myself with others. I prioritize self-comfort. I seem to anchor my security or safety on things. Then, my motives become more and more complicated. Then, my intentions become less clear. Before I realize it, I begin to lose my focus. At least for a while, I know I forget the purpose of my trip in the first place.

I go to different places in the Philippines, both urban & rural, to serve my Filipino brethren; particularly the underserved.

My task stems from the fact that God gave me the privilege of becoming a licensed physician.

In the final analysis, preparation for this task is not a material or temporal pursuit. More importantly, I’ve realized that I must check the condition of my heart before I leave for every trip. I should purify my motives and intentions, before I embark on this work. I should bear in mind that my security does not depend on the external gadgets I will bring. I could only prepare as much. Whatever circumstance I will face with every trip, I must be anchored on my Sure foundation. This alone would determine the outcome of my journey.

Preparing for a trip is more of an internal quest rather than external. To free oneself of internal clutter (frustrations, interests, issues) is the necessity, more than putting personal effects in a back pack.