Going forth to all the nations

“I can do all things through Him who gives me strength” - Phil 4:13

As expected, my summer was packed with medical missions all over the country. I had a different destination every week and Central Luzon areas seemed like next-door neighborhood to me. The heat and dryness were encouraging to would-be patients and young boys were eager to get through a rite of passage (circumcision ;p) before the new school year opens; so every free medical-surgical-dental clinic was a blockbuster!

Meanwhile, I had so many things going on too. Aside from helping organize a medical-surgical mission of Ang Lingkod ng Panginoon QC and He Cares Foundation, a job offer came, my discernment for career and state of life was in full swing, and I was asked to pray about stepping up in service in my Catholic charismatic community (each is a story on its own, so just wait for my upcoming entries!). The desire to slow down, collect my thoughts and gather them at the feet of my God became stronger than ever. It seems ironic, but I think when so many things are distracting us in our lives, it is also the best time to detach ourselves from daily existence and seek wisdom & peace from their ultimate source, God.

I consider myself blessed to have been offered the solace that I needed, thru a medical mission down south (my longest period away from home to date!). I was invited by Practice His care ministry (PHCM) to join their Mindanao sojourn, particularly in Zamboanga and Davao. I once again had the excited anticipation I felt whenever I go to the province to do mission work. I always feel that each trip is full of surprises – new friends to meet, new places to visit, new delicacies to taste, new dances to learn, new cultures to adapt in, and even new obstacles to hurdle. The prospect then of celebrating my birthday away from home was also something new. So, filled with excitement and with more than a week’s worth of clothing on my backpack, I was raring to go by the end of April.

I have been in Misamis oriental, particularly Gingoog city, early this year and I noticed that Mindanao had the richest foliage among the large islands of our archipelago. Traveling in different areas of Mindanao made me appreciate more the vastness of the land area. It was amazing and inspiring that I was traveling with a small team of doctors, nurses, dentists and a physical therapist. Just six of us! Local churches were there to welcome and extend help; nonetheless we were expected to be able to set-up and hold the mission by ourselves. Efficiency was at its optimum! I’d say it was God’s grace, at its finest, that saw us through! Each one of us was inspired to go beyond ourselves and serve our brethren, Muslims and Christians alike. More than internal inspiration, what kept me going was the example of front-line workers. I was greatly inspired with how some would even carry on a disguise or put their lives on the line, just to encourage the locals to have a personal relationship with Issa al-Massih. To be in a place not your own is difficult to begin with; moreso is immersing into the practices and prevailing culture. I had to double my effort in adjusting, since women were expected to be low-key and only await men to lead any interaction. After a while though, I have gotten used to speaking in Bisaya (in my distinct Luzon twang…so they say!) and eating Halal food (no pork, please!). In our daily prayers, we asked God for an extra portion of grace. It was physically taxing (read as: back-breaking) to be treating patients from 8am till 6pm, with only meal breaks and traveling to and from geographically distant locations as respites!

Going on my 2nd week away from home and having gone to at least four different areas in Mindanao, I had one of the most memorable birthday celebrations! I was contented as it is in being able to celebrate my natal day serving people, but it was a bonus for me to have met a 101-year old lady who was all too glad to have a picture with me taken. Jokingly, I told her that I want to reach her ripe old age someday and celebrate more birthdays! God’s generosity is boundless; a business woman treated us for dinner at her seaside resort. We had a long table full of seafood, soup, soda and great company! I did not feel a bit homesick. Earlier that day, we began by the team praying over me and lifting up my plans to God. I got greetings thru text from my friends in Luzon and Visayas too! Some of those friends (who were also in a medical mission in Batanes then) and my family (in Manila) also celebrated my birthday. God indeed is always true to His promise and it is only when one surrenders everything to Him that one can experience more than he or she ever imagined!

In those 14 days that I was in Mindanao, never was there a 24-hour period that no person thanked me for my efforts. But the truth is I was the one more blessed to have been there! I can’t help but be in awe of God’s hand in the circumstances that I became part of. There was unity amidst diversity. Collective efforts were put side by side with genuine concern for others, and mean feats were attained! Muslims and Christians thanked God together in fervent prayer. As swords and guns notoriously caused division, surgical needles, forceps, sphygmomanometers, thermometers and weighing scales became instruments of faith, hope and love! I witnessed testimonies of Jesus’ mission. As He said “I came so that you may have life, and live it abundantly!” I saw nameless men and women braving adversities and taking a stand, not only to address health concerns but to share the gospel message. Truly it was an honor for me to have served with people who strive to live out the call that is in the very name of their ministry: practice His care!

Nakita ko Siya sa Bundok

This article has long been overdue. Our God, who is also yearning for us to spend some time with Him at rest, is probably longing for me to just sit quietly beside Him. I thank Him for that gift this Lenten season. I’m really glad to have the time, not just to relax, but more importantly to keep still and to calm my heart. This time off from work has allowed me to go into a retreat (literally and figuratively), and reminisce with my greatest Lover some highlights of my journey with Him.

After my last entry, when I was in Aurora, I served again with UP Pahinungod volunteers in October 2005. The itinerary was up North, with the Ortigas center Mountaineers Inc.(OCMIN). Way before the activity, team members were encouraged to prepare physically for a projected long walk and climb (more or less 6hours!). I didn’t have much apprehension then since it was like a several times for me to be going to Northern Luzon. I’ve been blessed to have had the chance of going to Ilocos, Nueva Ecija, Baguio city, Kalinga, Ifugao, Mountain Province, and even to our supposed mission site, Benguet (specifically Itogon). The only question in my mind then was why we were primed that there will be a long walk. I could not imagine the long travel then since I knew Itogon to be the area of Benguet closest to Baguio. The first time I went there, I just experienced a no-sweat 30-minute brisk walk on the mountainside. Human as I am, I somehow placed the forewarning at the back of my mind. In short, I didn’t really prepare physically. Besides, I don’t know how it could be still possible, with my activities and other gazillion stuff to do!

The climb going to mount Ugo took almost 6 hours! There were times that it would have been easier to give up. I was catching my breath at every steep curve. My legs were starting to stiffen and weigh more than double its mass. Sweat was overflowing and the grass & gravel along the way did not help my legs at all. I was honestly asking myself why I was doing what I was doing then. I was wondering where someplace more relaxing I could have been, instead of being there climbing a mountain for a medical mission! I did not know when I agreed to join that it would be an induction activity of a mountaineering group. It was a hard climb indeed, but I was getting my strength from a source that would never be depleted. Long ago, as I’ve experienced walking on slippery mountains barefoot, trotting on leech-infested rice fields in the dark, climbing on steep mountainsides for the first-time, I realized that my physical strength would never allow me to conquer such activities. I am not athletic, I just love the outdoors. There’s a difference ;)! But, I’ve managed to hurdle those activities, for I’ve discovered the trick of walking hand-in-hand with God in the mountains!



I definitely encounter Him in the mountain tops. As I witness the sunrise from a good vantage point, as I marvel on the different kinds of trees I see, as I smell the breeze with a hint of pine scent, as I wet my face with flowing spring water, I see the fingerprints of God all over! I cannot help but feel His warm embrace, as He gives me the opportunity to appreciate the beauty of His creation! How magnificent! And so, every time I go on missions with long walks or climbs, I really stop and take time to smell the roses.




But, as the saying goes, life is not always a bed of roses. And if you ask, how I manage to remember His omnipresence when the going gets tough?? I always recall an encounter with God, on a very hot & humid midday. I was climbing then, again for a medical mission. I was catching my breath, but was continuously making heavy steps. I was not stopping to rest for I just stopped a few steps before that (less than 5 minutes or so). Every step became heavier than the previous one! I really felt my heart pounding on my chest as if about to burst, and I could hear its beat ringing in my ears. I was exasperated and I felt ridiculous. I was exasperated with myself, for I know that it was largely by my choice that I was in that tough situation! Nobody forced me to join that trip. I felt ridiculous, for it did not make any sense that I was pushing myself to the limit, being a third-degree flat footed person at that (according to my PT friend!). Just as I was about to wail and vent my frustration, another mental picture came to me: a hot, humid midday…about two thousand years ago, in the mid east, where it is probably hotter and there are fewer trees as shade! I saw a figure, stumbling and struggling to climb uphill. It was familiar, it was my messiah. I did not see a back pack of personal belongings on His shoulders, instead, there was a very heavy wooden cross…an instrument of punishment He didn't even deserve. He did not have the luxury of resting or stopping to catch his breath, He stopped only when He stumbled because of pain, excruciating pain from the thorns atop His head, from the bleeding wounds on His back, from His scraped knees. Unlike me, who was in the company of fellow volunteers, this disfigured man was in the company of cruel soldiers… I would get encouragement to continue or words of concern, but this man was being ridiculed, kicked, spat at, and whipped every step of the way!

As the vision was playing on my mind, I mustered control to prevent my tears from falling, besides my sweat! At that instant, I felt so arrogant to have been complaining all along. I realized that my discomforts paled in comparison to the sacrifices that Jesus had to endure…and He endured them all…for me. Instead of complaints, only words of gratitude escaped my lips! I was moved to pray, as I was catching my breath. I lifted up my very insignificant sacrifice to Him, who never withheld anything just to prove His love for me. I also asked for grace then, for I know that things were easier to endure with the Holy Spirit giving me strength. I probably looked foolish then for, after all my realizations, I started to sing: God is the strength of my heart; God is the strength of my heart…and my portion forever! in between gasps.

That encounter with Jesus and the cross, has reminded me that God loves us lavishly indeed! Wherever we are, whatever we do, whatever our struggles may be, He never wastes time to make us feel His guiding hand. He never stops blessing us through other people and through our experiences. I went to several medical missions, with mountain climbing even after that incident. The Mt. Ugo mission was a total of nine hours on foot (to and fro)! I had leg scars and six dead toe nails afterwards! But, if you’ll ask me if I’d still go on similar trips?? I’d say…I feel I am very much blessed and loved that I cannot help but still say yes! ;p

As "Iskolar ng Bayan"

The road less traveled is where I dared to go…
the path was not easy; after all, no one told me so.



August 26 – 31. Casiguran, Aurora. This was the itinerary of the UP Ugnayan ng Pahinungod Medical & Surgical Mission. I had mixed feelings when my med school classmate invited me to be part of the team. I was excited (to volunteer again for my alma mater!) and apprehensive (to go for several days with people I have yet to meet) at the same time. My excitement, won over apprehension and I decided to join. I was given the necessary orientation, antibiotic prophylaxis and forewarning about travel & accommodations. My expectations were meager, as I have acquired the habit of expecting less, so as not to be disappointed (re: mobile network signal, electricity, decent comfort rooms). The weather during our trip going to Casiguran was not cooperative either. News of an impending storm increased the possibility of challenges awaiting the team. True enough, the projected 12-hour trip, extended to about 15hours (after our bus bravely crossed three rivers)! The grueling trip was a blessing for me though, for it became an opportunity to build rapport with the other volunteers while being crammed and juggled inside the bus.
***
The entire mission was filled with obstacles to be hurdled. Even the scheduled rest& recreation became a daunting task. The promised haven by the sea, turned out to be an undeveloped sea-side area with no right of way so to speak (we had to weed out shrubs & trees for an hour just get there). The fact that there were no cottages or even umbrellas around, at noontime, made matters worse! We had fun just the same (thanks to our sense of adventure and camaraderie).
***
I have been involved in medical mission work for several years now (with several NGOs). I have traveled to different provinces in the Philippines as a volunteer, so that I initially expected this activity to be no different. But, I’ve realized that there is a distinct quality in Pahinungod volunteerism. The medical-surgical mission impressed on me a facet of serving people; that is to serve with a sense of nationalism. The UP Pahinungod team served the beneficiaries not only because they were underserved, not only because it was an adventure to get to their place, but because they were countrymen, fellow Filipinos…kababayans.
***
I felt a sense of pride to be serving with volunteers, who left their day jobs temporarily, literally brought their stuff (OR linen, Anesthesia machine, Autoclave, Slit lamp, medications), braved the storm, set aside personal preferences, just to give free services to the constituents of Aurora. These doctors, nurses, dentists, paramedics did not only go the extra mile; they went miles further! The volunteers went beyond the limit of physical fatigue. Medical consultations & elective procedures were conducted more than 12hrs a day, yet some doctors were still willing to even donate blood for anemic patients! Matatawag mo talaga ang mga volunteers na mga bagong bayani!

***
Kudos to Dr. Paul Guerrero! He was one of the volunteer ophthalmologists. This Isko decided to practice in the provinces and put up Sierra Madre Eye Center. But, practicing in Isabela & Aurora was a frustration-filled (according to him) experience. This doctor remains unfazed despite numerous encounters with bad bureaucracy. He can’t help himself by blurting out to the governor though, “Iniisip ko na nga baka mas maganda lumipat na lang sa Kalinga!”
***
Yet, these modern-day heroes are the same people who wish to go abroad (some from the team even went already & just came back!). I, myself, plan to apply for further training in Australia or US. Some of us volunteers are the same ones, who critics say, caused the brain drain or hemorrhage phenomenon. But, could you blame us??

Could you blame us for thinking about providing for our families, amidst economic crises and poor compensation? Could you blame us for feeling demoralized when after going extra miles, we just come face to face with traditional politicians who only care about publicity & photo shoots? Could you blame us if we are discouraged, when we see political alliances affecting the delivery of basic services (like health) in the provinces?? Could you blame us for being disillusioned, as we witness hunger, malnutrition, poverty happening side by side with profligacy, political dynasty and corruption??
***

As Iskolar ng Bayan, the UP Pahinungod volunteers are doing their part to give back what they owe to their country, by serving Filipinos in the best way that they can. The evolution of young idealism into intellectual cynicism and political disappointment is a complicated, multi-factorial phenomenon. I believe that it is a hasty generalization to claim that people from the allied medical professions are ungrateful, once they go abroad. I daresay, there is a story behind the story.


- maria daniela s. romana, md
94-02224

Be a Witness of Love

Sasamantalahin ko na ang pagkakataong
magkapag-post...

This is an invitation to all able people out there
(MDs, RNs, RMTs, PTs, DMDs, or anyone who
has a volunteer spirit). I've listed below the medical-
dental missions you can join in, as of the moment.
This is an opportunity for you to see God's hand at
work. B a Witness of love in action!


Aug 14 (Sunday) - Payatas, Quezon City -
ACROSS ministries

Aug 28 (Sunday) - Talim Island, Rizal -
Light of Jesus Community

Aug 26 - 31 (Fri - Wed) - Casiguran, Aurora -
UP Ugnayan ng Pahinungod

November 2005 – Erap City, Rodriguez, Rizal –
Ang Lingkod ng Panginoon QC; He Cares Foundation

Please contact me asap, 0917-8038741, for further
details.

Tnx. God bless!

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Faith in action is Love, Love in action is service.
-Mother Teresa

Sa pag2long sa kapwa, walang lugar ang pagda-
2ng isip.
-darleth ;p

Love moves...

More than a popular revival song, this line is very
much true in our daily lives...Though we cannot
fathom the essence of LOVE in its entirety, to
experience it still brings total bliss and
contentment...I cannot help but think of it as
similar to our experience of GOD always. After all,
GOD is LOVE.

We may not be able to grasp the vastness of
God's mind and purpose, but feeling His presence
in the seemingly trivial things we do, never fails to
bring us "a piece of heaven". The closest word that
comes to my mind, to describe it, is AWE (for my
creator).

I am in awe when He allows me to serve Him, thru
the least of my brethren.

I am in awe when He inspires people who are not
closely related, work together for the good of many.

I am in awe when He blesses my mom with
patience, as she lovingly wakes up early to cook
breakfast for me.

I am in awe when He showers us with the gift of
music & talents, as we praise and communicate
with Him in prayer.

I am in awe when He showcases His splendour and
majesty, as I walk in fields of grass, cross wild
rivers, trek mountain sides.

I am in awe when He sends providence, as a
generous friend gives help during a financial crisis.

I am in awe when He extends understanding &
compassion, as a patient listener consoles me
about a problem.

I am in awe when He bestows mercy and grace,
as we repent for our sins in the sacrament of
reconciliation.

And the list goes on and on...

I do not need to think very hard, to be able to
identify the LOVE, who is GOD, moving in my life.

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Mahirap talagang maarok, pero ang masasabi ko
lang: GOD is LOVE; LOVE moves in mysterious ways!

On Infirmity

Whenever I get sick, it’s always a struggle for my spirit, aside from physical. Illness brings melancholia to me. As it is a fact that most people are at their worst when they’re sick, I feel I am even much, much worse. It doesn’t help a bit that some people could not fathom the idea of doctors getting sick; my patients expect me to be well all the time because, they say, I know a lot about diseases and their mechanisms. In reality, doctors are more prone to get sick, like some sort of work hazard, because of greater exposure to infective microorganisms. And so, in this season of colds and cough, I once again caught the flu a few weeks ago (despite high dose vitamin C!).

The late nights, numerous activities & hospital infection took a toll on me. I was forced to stay in bed for several days. My joints & muscles were sore. I was weak to the core. Every attempt to stand up caused my knees to wobble and my head to throb. The situation got even worse when the flu complicated with my hyperacidity. I felt nauseated and dizzy, regardless of whether I eat or not.

Nevertheless, I still had several things to be glad about during those times. As I stayed at home, I was able to rest my tired body. Some of my friends say, I do abuse it by pushing my physical strength to the limits. I had the chance to ponder about the real source of my strength. Most of the people who know me say that I am very bubbly and hyperactive. My infirmity reminded me of my vulnerability as a human. During those times my only source of hope was God. I had to hold on to His promise of having the best plans always. To avoid being grouchy, I had to ask for more grace to be patient, to believe that everything will be alright, despite the setback I was in at that moment.

Getting sick also gave me the opportunity to interact with my family more. To be in temporary house arrest is a privilege to be pampered by my parents…Haay! Miss ko na rin pala ang asikaso nila. Miss rin nila siguro ang paglalambing ko. Infirmity teaches me humility to some extent, to ask help from others when I need it (Jay, salamat sa pagsundo! Jor salamat sa pag-alalay sa simbahan at pagbili ng gamot!), to allow others to take care of me (Thanks,Ma!) I also had time to watch TV with my siblings more, or just sit with them to chat. I spent quality time with my family, indeed. ;p

Lastly, and this is nice to know, I was supposed to attend to an errand for Anawim1 when I got sick. It has been our (the volunteer nurse & I) plan to buy a glucometer2 for the institution. I was tasked to canvass the price and make the purchase, but infirmity made it an impossible feat. To my surprise & delight, it was a blessing in disguise that I was not able to do the errand; for during the week that I was sick, benefactors donated not just one, bet even three glucometers for the elderly! If I was able to buy, sayang naman ang mga almost 2,000 pesos, hindi na pala kailangan! Coincidence?!? I’d like to believe it is divine providence.

Galing lang talaga ni God!

God is Love…Love moves in mysterious ways! ;p

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1 Anawim – literally God’s poor; the Lay Missions Foundation, ministry of Light of Jesus Community for Abandoned Elderly

2 Glucometer – the automated tool used to measure one’s blood sugar levels

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...