05 January 2009

Medical outreach touches lives

“Mission” connotes service. It goes along with the word “outreach.” Collaborating with medical services, the mission outreach of health professionals makes the activity even more rewarding. It does not only address the physical health needs of people but their spiritual needs as well.

The medical mission that was conducted by HOPE International and the Manila Adventist Medical Center (MAMC), January 5-12, in the province of Siquijor, fulfilled what a mission outreach envisions. It saved the physical body and revived the spiritual life of many individuals.

In coordination with Negros Oriental-Siquijor Field of the Seventh-day Adventist Church (NSM), the Siquijor Provincial Government and Jaylan Shipping Company, this weeklong medical mission brought in 20 medical doctors, a dentist, eight nurses, six paramedical personnel and one pastor from the United States and MAMC. The team was a good mix of Adventists, Catholics and Protestant practitioners.

“‘HOPE International,’ is a nonprofit organization that gives opportunities for everyone to share their resources, time and life in service to humanity. The acronym for ‘Helping People for Eternity,’ HOPE spells its objectives as ‘preaching, teaching, and healing,’” said Drs Michael and Chequi dela Cruz, a Filipino couple from the United States who heads the team.

Pressed for more enlightenment of the HOPE’s mission, the dela Cruzes said they do this program “as a way of developing Christ-like character while fulfilling Christ’s commission.”
The week’s activity catered to 60 people undergoing major surgical operation, 170 minor operations, and more than 1300 medical and dental services performed. One assessed the total services as not falling below the three million-peso threshold.

“Doing medical ministry, Christ becomes real to you and happier when seeing people relieved from pain. The integration of spiritual activity is part of the package of the activity,” Michael and Chequi added.

“My life was empty, and I wanted something beyond what I ordinarily do. What I did was to cancel my earlier-laid itinerary and joined the medical mission. I am now fulfilled!” said a non-Seventh-day Adventist member of the team.

An employee of the Siquijor Provincial Hospital voiced out his observations: “The team members were kind and loving. They go the extra mile besides hearing no foul words from them.”

Some of the highlights of the medical mission were a nightly revival meeting that the team conducted. They also had room-to room serenading at the government hospital where the mission event was held. This special activity led to the baptism of eight people towards the end of the outreach program. [Jimmy S. Guma]