MAPLINE
The Official Newsletter of MEDICAL AMBASSADORS PHILIPPINES INC. Volume XXVI No. 1
February 2014
S urging... love, hope, and joy T
project nehemiah in between two glass Plates by Joab Afuang, RN
yphoon Yolanda was an exceptionally powerful tropical cyclone that devastated some portions of Visayas, Cebu, Iloilo, Capiz , Leyte, Eastern Samar and Palawan on November 8, 2013. It is the deadliest Philippine typhoon on record. We could not just watch the victims crying, pleading for help. We wanted to act as God’s hands and feet to reach out to these people. We may be just a drop of water in a bucket... but what prompted us to go and help is the love of Christ that brings surging hope and joy to the dying and hopeless, displaced typhoon survivors. These acts of love and compassion touched the hearts of our comrades –the typhoon survivors. One commented, “Two reasons why I am in tears, one is because the devastation caused by super typhoon Yolanda is unsurmountable; it was by God’s Divine miracle we are still here serving our fellow survivors. Another reason is, I am overwhelmed with joy because we are surrounded by loving volunteers who brought hope to us.”
Oriental and Occidental Mindoro
When Nehemiah heard about the plight of his people, he wept, prayed, and fasted. After looking up to God for strength and blessings, he visited the area and his people and called for “Bayanihan” – that people would work together in building the walls of Jerusalem. Emulating Nehemiah, MAP organized Project Nehemiah on November 11 and conducted medical and relief operations in areas our partners recommended. Our sincere heartfelt thanks to our partners/supporters, donors, volunteers (nurses, doctors, pastors, paramedics, and others) who joined the MAP team. by Alicia T. Bañas, MAP EVP
While I was assessing one sick man, he said, “Dalawang linggo na akong inuubo simula nung pagkatapos ng bagyo, minsan nilalagnat ako. Wala na akong bahay. Wala akong trabaho. At ‘di pa nahahanap yung bunso kong anak.” (I’ve been coughing 2 weeks since the typhoon ended, sometimes have fever. I lost my house. I lost my job. And I still can’t find my youngest child.) He was referring to his nine-year old daughter who disappeared because of the storm surge. He said all these things with no tears in his eyes. It seemed like he’d had enough. After he said that, I was caught speechless for a few minutes. I didn’t know what to say to him. I wanted to pray for him but I didn’t know what to say to God either.
On a flight bound for a Tacloban City medical trip, I see different groups, organizations, pastors and media. It seems like everyone wants to go and respond to the “worst natural disaster” to have ever hit the Philippines. This is my second time to go back after the typhoon. All the coordination, packing and unpacking, counting and recounting, loading and unloading prior to this trip was physically tiring. Now I have an hour to put on my earphones, slow down, and think. One thought has been circling in my mind: The God who called me to serve some of the least reached people is the same God who allowed Yolanda to hit Eastern Visayas. Of course, we all know what happened. Devastations. Deaths. Drama. I’d like to think more about this but I’m afraid it will only lead me to many intersection points and more confusion. I hope that thinking will lead me to understanding. I don’t want to sound so dramatic like the news reporters. But all the tragic scenes I saw the first time I was in Tacloban City were really full of drama. When I first got there, it felt like I was in a movie.
to page 3...
yolanda seized, yahweh saved by Juanito Amarillo, RN
Oriental and Occidental Mindoro
We resumed our journey to Tacloban City at 4 a.m. the next day. Whenever we got thirsty and hungry, we looked for fallen coconuts. Sometimes, we had chocolate bits for our lunch. This was the only food we could afford to buy with the little money in our pockets. The Lord sustained us through these. Our feet were really aching after two days of walking.
This is a story of Pastor Bryan Babasol, a 24-year old missionary/ pastor from New Life Baptist Mission, Hernani, Eastern Samar. He is a On the third day, we arrived in the town of Marabut, Samar. The Lord Typhoon Yolanda survivor we met in Tacloban City while doing medi- provided a vehicle for us. We hitched a ride on a truck of the Departcal and relief operations. ment of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) heading towards Catbalogan City. I stayed there for a night. “November 8, 2013 – At around 4 a.m., my carpenter-companions and I were awakened by a strong wave that knocked our door down. Early the next day, I rode a van going to Calbayog City since I still had We were frightened as the water gradually rose and so decided to money left for the fare. I thought of Calbayog Baptist Church but I did evacuate the 2-storey mission house that we were constructing. I praise not know where the church was. It was my first time to be in that place. God for the wisdom that He gave us. The water was about knee-high I told myself that the Lord will guide me to find that church. I took the and continued to rise. We transferred to the elevated school evacuation tricycle but the driver brought me to a different place. Then I noticed center. I saw people in their houses with flashlights and heard them two persons nearby, walking for early morning exercise. To my surprise, shout as if asking for help. We were helpless. We saw them disappear one of them was the wife of a pastor that I was looking for. Indeed, one by one as the waves swallowed them up. We just waited inside the the Lord orders the steps of His children. When I shared my story evacuation center. A few moments later, I saw huge waves coming to with them, they realized why they had their walk in that specific place our barangay crashing on the houses one by one. though they had several locations to choose from. At around 6 a.m., we expected the water to rise as the eye of the typhoon drew closer. We became even more anxious. So we ran for our lives to the mountain, not minding what we stepped on as long as we reached the mountain peak. On the mountain top, we prayed together fervently hoping that God would cease the rainfall, the typhoon. Indeed, God is merciful and gracious. We were not harmed by the typhoon. All nine of us survived with only minor injuries. We decided to walk from Hernani to Tacloban City since some worried about their families back in Tacloban City. We walked for almost three days. We stayed a night at the police station. The policemen were so kind to accommodate and feed us.
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The things we experienced are beyond our comprehension. I believe that He saved us because He still has plans for our lives. We must use these second lives He has bestowed to serve Him well and live to the fullest for Him. I have lived my life for Him once; I must live for Him even better now. This testimony of mine is not for myself but to exalt His Name and to testify how powerful our God is. Yolanda stripped us of our material things but I still thank God because He spared our lives. All houses were totally annihilated. It was almost impossible to survive that calamity but God kept us safe. All I can say is that we will keep on serving the Lord. The Apostle Paul pointed out in his epistles that the trials in our lives were meant by God so that we can also comfort other people who are experiencing hardships in life. To God be the glory!”
IN BETWEEN..from page 1..
Sometimes it’s hard to see God’s goodness especially in places of suffering. But I remember one pastor preached, “Even if God does not seem to be good, He is still God. We are just blessed to have a good God.” There are those moments of crystal clarity and there are just moments of vagueness. Things become unclear when our right perception is hindered or altered. There is a thin line between incomprehension and misunderstanding. I am more afraid of the latter. This thin line is a matter of choice. Sometimes, we choose to understand things falsely rather than accept the fact that we are limited and that we are unable to comprehend some of life’s mystery. C.S. Lewis once wrote when he was grieving: “We cannot understand. The best is perhaps what we understand the least.”
PROJECT..from page 1..
MAP Workers in the area: Dr. Jun Garcia Dr. Daniel Veneracion Dr. Pete Bañas Alice Bañas Tess Calupig Criselda Gardon
Juats Amarillo Joab Afuang Em Jimena Nathan Rotap Oliver Yanos
AREAS SERVED:
Nov. 19-22 - Tacloban City, Dulag, Tanauan, Palo in Leyte; Lawaan, Eastern Samar Nov 26-28 - Brgy. Malawig & Tara Island, Brgy. Cabu in Coron, Palawan We are now approaching Tacloban Airport. As I put back my seatbelt, I Nov 29 - Brgy. Galoc, Culion, Palawan Nov 30 - Brgy. Concepcion, Busuanga, Palawan take a glimpse outside through the window. The city still looks terrible. Dec 1 - Depelingued Island Palawan But I see signs of life. I am pleasantly surprised because the city is slow- Dec 3 - Brgy. Salvacion, Busuanga, Palawan ly becoming green again. I see leaves in some of the trees. I see hope Dec 4 - Brgy. San Nicolas, Coron, Palawan Dec 16-19 - Brgy. Bonbon, Calape; Brgy. Ubujan, Tagbilaran; Brgy. rising again. And then I remember one of my favorite truths found in the book of Isaiah. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are Macaas, Tubigon; Brgy. Cabulijan, Tubigon in Bohol Dec 16-20 - Brgy. Indayagan, Maayon; Brgy. Calapawan, Dumarao; your ways my ways. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are Brgy. Culajao, Roxas City; The Good News Church Mckinley Road, Capiz my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Dec 16-20 - Brgy. Sacme, Tanauan & Brgy. Aslum, Alangalang in Leyte; (Isaiah 55:8-9, NIV). Yes! Now, this is clear. Lawaan, Hernani, & Marabut in Eastern Samar; Biliran & Tacloban City in Leyte Even the most intelligent people here on earth can’t measure how VOLUNTEERS: high the heavens are. It was not meant for me to understand these things from the start. I am like a microorganism found in a specimen Physicans: Dr. James Gumpal, Dr. Francis Daytec, Dr. Abigail Buncan, placed in between two glass plates under the lens of a microscope, Dr. Hedda Trias, Dr. Meridith Labarda, Dr. Charlie Labarda, Dr. Michelle trying to understand what the scientist is up to. I cannot understand Desierto, Dr. Crislyn Joy Mendoza, Dr. Jolly Janessa Yago, Dentist : Dr. Erwin Dignadice because these are just too wonderful for me. God is up to something Paramedic: Erwin Blancaflor heavenly and I believe things will be beautiful again. Medical students: Precious Bañas, Aaron Cheng, Jedilou Alip Nurses: Julius Melad, Tola Saliring, Laksmi Sambeli, Carol Pena, Lilian Like Ezekiel in front of the valley of dry bones, I choose to say: Wong “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.” (Ezekiel 37:3, NIV) Midwife: Tess Guese Pastors: Pastor Willy Cheng- UECP, Pastor Sam Rendal & Pastor Jeremiah Capule - Greenhills Christian Fellowship, Ortigas; Pastor Ronald Cortez-Tacloban City, Pastor Jun RomawacTotal number of patients given medical servicesLawaan,Eastern Samar; Pastor Joey Rudisill- Wilda Baptist Church, 7000 Gardner, Louisiana, USA; Pastor Allan Gurieza- Laguna; Pastor Lemuel Aguirre & Pastor Danny Sampilo – Blessed Church, Cavite; Total number of families given relief goods Jenny Villanueva – Word of Grace Church, Quezon City; and noche buena packsOther volunteers: Atty. Alex Parco, Mitch Sy-Quimsiam, Sweeney del 5736 families (10,000-15,000 individuals) Pilar, May Gonzales, Jana Victoria – celebrity; Wen Sha – Chinese student, Asian Institute of Management; Stefan Li – German volunteer
No of families benefitted from carpentry tools100 sets given to 100 families
No. of children benefitted from school supplies555 children The Good News was shared with 600 people. Gospel Literature was given during the consultation to all adult patients.
To all of you, who shared your resources in kind, finances, manpower, and fervent prayers... MARAMI PONG SALAMAT.
PARTNERS IN THE AREA: DZAS-FEBC New Life Baptist Church and the United Church of Christ in Tacloban Jesus Christ Church headed by Ptr. Rene Aplacador in Bohol God our Saviour Jesus Christ Church headed by Ptr. Thelma Aguatis in Bohol NACPHIL CABUGAO PEOPLES ASSOCIATION in Capiz Tacloban Alliance Evangelical Church New Tribes Mission (NTM) Philippines headed by Pastor Gualberto ‘Nonoy’ Ortiz in Palawan Christian Medical Mobile Services Group Friends from Manila headed by Dr. Dan Veneracion Concepcion Baptist Church in Palawan Bethany Baptist Hospital Tacloban City LGU Barangay Health Workers in Lawaan, Dulag, and Tanauan
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good out of bad
Last December 16-20, our team--consisting of 3 nurses, 3 medical students and a surgeontogether with local partners, visited devastated by Em Jimena, RN towns in Capiz, West Visayas to give Pamasko Aurora and Bataan (Noche Buena gift packs for families and school Every time I come across this phrase, I remem- supplies to students of 2 selected schools), ber the story of Joseph the Dreamer in my old medical attention and counselling. Children's Bible. A young Joseph, innocently happy at serving his Father, was hated by his Since we didn’t have many serious patients, brothers who soon plotted against him. He was we ended up giving multivitamins and teaching placed in a well, sold to merchants, became a health lessons. We realized though, that at slave in Egypt, accused of being a criminal and the end of every consultation, we gave them was jailed. But God was with him. Eventually more—a healing touch, a listening ear and he became a hero by saving Egypt from famine, a smile to encourage an aching heart. Doc plus saving his own family. Precious told us, 'wala lang sakit ang iba, gusto Last month, the super-typhoon Yolanda was undeniably a heart-sinking phenomenon. But God, being in control, overturned it into something good.
lang nilang may makausap, o kaya madampian ng stethoscope' (the other people were not sick, they just wanted someone to talk to, or feel the touch of a stethoscope). Those were the practical actions of care and comfort.
editorial staff Mrs. Belle Puruganan-Villanueva Editor Mrs. Alice T. Bañas, RN, MHPEd. Editorial Adviser MAP Staff Contributing Writers Asheri Ira C. Bañas, RN Layout
These people were already lost and longing for unconditional love long before the typhoon came. Society today silently upholds self-centeredness but this incident has made more people reach out to the needy. The affected ones received and appreciated love from people they BECAUSE YOU PRAY did not know. It also became an opportunity to We are encouraged and inspired emphasize God's agape love amidst tragedy.
acknowledgment of supporters
Em assessing a Yolanda survivor
Dr. Eli Sarmiento and wife Dr. Elma, arrived in the Philippines last January 31, 2014. Praise God for their safe travel back here. Dr. Eli will be joining the team on February 10-14, 2014 for Project Nehemiah in Leyte and Eastern Samar. He will also go with us to Aguinaldo, Ifugao, for the medical mission, BHW training, and church missions conference on Feb 17-21, 2014. Continue to pray with us!
to minister and provide healing to the sick, strength to the weak and salvation to the lost.
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