MAPLIN E MEDICAL AMBASSADORS PHILIPPINES INC.
THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER
VOLUME XXV NO.1
JANUARY 2013
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!
MAP staff, BOT members, and volunteers MAP sends you love, peace, and joy, as we remember each other in prayer.
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CROSSOVER BY FAITH IN
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ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT
by MAP EVP Alicia T. Bañas and MAP workers
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II. Church-based Health care Education for Lay People Training Program
MAP has 10 full-time nurse *Dumagat tribe in Umiray, Dingafield workers and two volun- lan, Aurora Province, 120 trainees from Ifugao (Alfonso teers. They minister to the *Ayangan Ifugaos in Aguinaldo,and Lista), Mt. Province (Natonin), and following people groups: Alfonso Lista, Ifugao, Ilocos Sur completed the Primary Health Care and Botica Manage*Mangyan tribe in Sitio Sipit and *Gaddangs and Balangaos in Nament Training. Ambang, Brgy. Villaflor, Puerto tonin, Mountain Province, Galera, Oriental Mindoro, Church –based Health care Educa*Informal Dwellers (Ms) in Metro *Aeta Abellen tribe in Sitio Tangan- Manila, and marginalized sitios in tion for Lay People Training was tangan and Dirita, Brgy. Maamot, Bobon and Catarman , Northern San Jose, Tarlac, Samar.
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conducted twice this year among 44 Bible school students of Asia Center for Biblical Studies in Majayjay, Laguna. The Asian Theological SeminaryGraduate School’s Center for Transformational Urban Leadership invited MAP to teach the course, Community Health-Primary Health Care to its students. To page 2
NO MOR E PA I N
I.Community-based Primary Health Care Program 128 volunteer trainees joined the Family Health Workers Training conducted in all ministry areas. BHW Refresher Training on Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses was conducted in Aguinaldo, Ifugao with 70 BHWs. Community Health Education for Aeta Program (CHEAP) was done in partnership with Limay Baptist Church, and Indigenous Missions
International (IMI).
by Joab Afuang, RN, Mindoro
I could only watch, as Tatay Miguel groaned in pain while the hospital 75 informal dwellers attended the Mothers’ Health Class, and 48 nurses were changing the dressing on his infected foot. The doctors completed the health education course in Quiapo (Ms) and Baseco. diagnosed it as a squamous cell skin carcinoma, a form of skin cancer. The surgeon beside him said 70 elementary students in each that he couldn’t do anything but area joined the Child-to-child amputate it to prevent systemic Health Education Program infection that might cost his life. He’d been dealing with this pain 270 children are recipients in the for 27 years, so Tatay did not hesiFeeding program. tate to agree with the surgeon. Tatay Miguel is a good man, one Curative service - MAP served of the key leaders in the Mangyan and treated 1,769 patients. community where I have been
serving the past 1 ½ years. He’s responsible for the building of the sitio’s health center. He always opens his home for Bible studies since he became a believer. He’s a man of strong will and character. The fact that he dealt with this physical pain for almost half of his life and still was able to provide for his family confirms it. It was difficult to stand beside him – me, healthy, and he, crying because of pain, not just physical but emotional pain. Losing his leg would mean losing his ability to provide for his family. To page 3
BR EA K T H E S I L ENC E by Joab Afuang, RN, Mindoro
“The place where God calls you is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”- Frederick Buechner The wrestling began, leading to days of confusion with only faith to help me to endure. I had many questions that were unanswered, and I knew there were many answers that were waiting to be questioned. But finally, with just the right amount of faith needed, I took that first step. That first step—it was the hardest to take, but it amazingly brought me to where I am right now, a missionary nurse serving the Lord and His people in some of the most remote places unreached by healthcare. I have been climbing mountains for more than a year now. Those climbs have allowed me to experience God as never before. How His creation draws me closer to Him! It is impossible not to see God in nature. As David Crowder once sang, “My eyes are small but they have seen the beauty of enormous things.” The more I realize how deep the ocean is, the more I comprehend the depths of His wisdom. The more mountain peaks I climb, the more I understand the heights of His greatness. The more I grasp how wide the sky is, the more I fathom the magnitude of His love. It is when you experience creation with all its beauty that you experience the Creator in His glory.
MAPLINE 1st QUARTER 2013
But in this mission I am living, the greatest of all creation that touched my heart are the people who live in the mountains, the Mangyans. To page 4
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ROUTED by Maria Martha Jimena, RN, Aurora
Just like Mary who experienced joy in the Christmas story, I thank God for preparing me to be part of His story of love, grace and redemption.
III. Spiritual Care Ministry (Evangelism and Discipleship) in partnership with churches and other organizations.
as their Lord and Savior. 43 were baptized. The UMMAH (meaning gathering of believers) workers, in partnership with MAP and other mission groups, conducted a youth camp last summer. Around 160 M-youth now know Isa Al Masih as their Messiah and Master. “Iba Ka, Level Up Na!” was the camp theme.
•Evangelism - 5, 311 people heard the Good News of Salvation •Professed Faith in Jesus Christ405 •Counseling - 400 asked for prayers and counseling In Dingalan and Tarlac, the work•Mentoring and Discipleship – 84 ers had Bible Studies with 10 adults and 78 youth/children usYouth Evangelistic camp was held ing Chronological Bible Study and in Singawan, Umiray, Dingalan, Interactive Bible Storying (IBS) Aurora Province with forty -nine methods for discipleship. ( 49) campers. 47 accepted Jesus
IV. Mobilization and Partnership Development
Veneracion spearheaded a Concert for a Cause with The Filipino Tenors last August, 2012 that promoted the ministry of MAP.
Medical Mission trips participated MAP’s ministry was presented to in by 500 volunteers were con14 churches and three (3) mission ducted.MAP served 5,140 people organizations. of all ages. The Board members were chalMAP nurses with Dr. Jun Garcia lenged and agreed that each BOT and MMI ( Medical Mission Inmember would adopt one worker ternational) conducted a surgifor prayer and financial support. cal mission in Cambodia. Dr. Jun Garcia reported that they served MAP moved office to the AB83 major and 77 minor cases. CCOP building at 102 Scout Rallos, Diliman, Quezon City last July MAP Board member Dr. Dan 1, 2012.
How God led me to Medical Ambassadors Philippines (MAP) is my praise testimony. There were people whom God used to go before me and help clear the trail God has chosen me to take. My father’s parents were dedicated church planters. My parents and their siblings were also involved in the ministry and loved God so much. I was raised in and fell in love with the church programs. I desired the work but with a wrong motive. This changed during the Chapel Hour in my third year of High School. God became the reason, the means and the end of my every effort. As a member of a community church in Taguig City, I became exposed and motivated to do community work. This became the basis for choosing my college course, BS Nursing or BS Education. I took up Nursing, thinking that I could still teach, even as a nurse. It was an expensive course, but God provided all my needs, from tuition fees, books to my everyday allowances. To page 4
V. Community Special Project and Ministry
A Reading and Writing class for 17 Aeta adults is ongoing in TanganTangan, Tarlac.
Bead making is an income-generating initiative of MAP workers in Mindoro where 8 mothers are involved.
Two simple multi-purpose buildings were built in Umiray and Tarlac. In Ambang, Mindoro, the building of the Sitio Health Center is ongoing. To page 3
How do we respond to hurting people? As days passed, the light at the end of the tunnel grew dimmer and dimmer. Darkness crept in as the infection spread in his system. On the day of the operation, the surgeon said that he would perform an above-knee amputation instead of the originallyplanned below-knee amputation. The surgeon asked the relatives if he could perform the operation while Tatay Miguel was sedated. Confused, they signed a piece of paper. Tatay woke up without his leg. This world harshly took away his physical pain but did nothing for his broken spirit. I visited him twice after the operation and these words he said never left me: “Huwag mo ako iwanan Accomplishment...cont. from page 2
VI. MAP Workers Development Program
Last April and July, MAP staff attended the “KAIROS Course”4th Edition that helped them see the big picture of world Christian movement. MAP workers have continuing education for updates in healthcare.
dito”. He believed that his family already left him alone. I assured him that the Lord is always on his side and He knows our burdens. My words seemed to have no effect. I couldn’t penetrate his suffering, I could only watch. Can I say that life is unfair to Tatay? Maybe I can. “The cross,” Phillip Yancey said, “demolished the basic assumption that life will be fair”. The world was unfair to Jesus and yet He endured it because of the joy that was set before Him. (Heb. 12:2) I’m back here in Manila and I heard the sad news that Tatay passed away. Now, his tears have been wiped away. Finally, no pain after 27 years. I believe that right now, he’s walking with our Lord, experiencing His glory in its fullness.
1. Praise God for the sincere commitment of the MAP workers in spite of the delayed support. They did not lose heart nor quit from their designated work assignment. Instead, they are trying their very best to fulfill God’s mandate to, “ bring the Lord Jesus Christ into communities where the Word is least preached and health care services are least provided.” 2. Praise God for having very supportive families of MAP workers, who provide the food supplies and other needs of their children in the ministry areas.
on mobilization and partnership developments. 6. Pray for Dr. Francis Daytec’s availability and commitment to visit MAP’s ministry areas, and to provide medical training for MAP nurses. 7. Pray for the three new ministry areas to be started this year for Mangyans in Abra de Ilog, Aetas in Limay, Bataan and Aguinaldo, Ifugao. For commitments and good working relationships with Ministry of Christ the True Vine (MCTV), Indigenous Mission International (IMI), Medical Missions International, churches and like- minded groups.
3. Praise God for volunteers who join MAP ministry activities by even spending on their own when 8. Pray with us for God’s outthey go to the ministry areas. pouring of His blessings upon MAP and His committed work4. John Mark Abao, MAP Moers. For financial provisions for bilization and Promotion staff ministry expenses and workers’ worker, resigned last August. support this 2013. Thank God for Belle’s unwaverOn October 24 – November 4, ing commitment to take care of We offer these accomplishMAPline. Pray for MAP nurse ments, first to our Gracious 2012 MAP set its First Mission Asheri Cabria, taking the post of Abba Father and the Lord of the Trip to Cambodia called Jabez John Mark while we are praying Harvest for His unfailing love, Expedition. for a full-time staff worker. next to our faithful partners, friends, families and volunteers Three MAP workers attended the 5. Pray for Paul Bañas, as the for their untiring loving care, prayers and financial support. Global Leadership Summit Confer- newly appointed Mobilization and Partnership assistant, for Let us move on and never give ence on Nov. 17 and 18. wisdom and creativity in coming up, for our labor in the Lord is up with strategies and activities not in vain. On November 30 to December 2, six MAP workers attended the Nurses Christian Fellowship Philippines National Conference.
MAPLINE 1st QUARTER 2013
No More Pain...from page 1
Two years ago, Medical Ambassadors Philippines Inc. started to pray about going on cross-cultural missions. In 2012, Dr. Felipe Castro and his wife Mrs. Joy Gaces-Castro invited MAP to visit Cambodia and partner with them in their ministries, fulfilling their vision of putting up the first Christian Hospital in Kampong Thom Province. Thus Jabez Expedition was born. Like the prayer of Jabez, we asked the Lord to bless us and expand our territory and advance His Kingdom among the Khmer people in Cambodia.“Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, ‘Oh, that you would bless me indeed and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.’ And God granted his request.” 1 Chronicles 4:10
JABEZ
EXPEDITION
Goals and Objectives:
•We aim to be immersed in a cross-cultural community and understand their worldview; gather information, and attend to their activities of daily living. •We aim to share the love of Jesus Christ through incarnational ministries: medical-surgical mission, evangelism, immersion, etc. •We aim to listen to God’s voice to expand the ministry of MAP in Kampong Thom through Community-based PHC/ CB-HELP. •We aim to develop and strengthen the partnership with Dr. Felipe Castro and MMI for future ministries. •We aim to know God more as we obey His great commission in serving the Khmer people and winning them to Christ.
The Lord Jesus has showed us a glimpse of cross-cultural mission. This is just the start of greater things to come. We thank you for being a part of this ministry.
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Routed... from page 2
At the end of my college years, I did well in my Community Health Nursing . God answered my question as to where I was going next. I was also inspired by the life of my Community Nursing reviewer. One year after passing the board exam and being a youth worker in our church, my aunt suggested that I try applying for MAP, where my other aunt formerly worked. So I searched, contacted and met the MAP family. When Ma’am Alice Bañas oriented me on the Break the Silence... from page 2
MAPLINE 1st QUARTER 2013
I live with these amazing people for three weeks each month. I eat what they eat, drink what they drink, and laugh at their jokes. I sit where they sit, chewing nganga with the elders, and play tanching and trumpo with their young children. I sing their songs, share their worries when storms hit and smile with them when the sun shines.
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As many faithful men and women have proven, life becomes more exciting when we follow God’s call and jump into the unknown. Really. But that’s just one side of the story. For along with these amazing experiences, I must tell you that my heart keeps getting broken, broken by the things that break His heart. Picture these with me, will you? A very tired Mangyan mother with her eight-month-old daughter gasping for air, in desperate need of a salbutamol inhaler... A sixty-five year old hemiplegic elderly lady lying on her bed, unable to speak clearly due to lack of anti-hypertensive drugs... Hungry children during a feeding program, craving nothing but simple lugaw. Some of them have not eaten rice for three days...
job of a MAP Nurse, I got goosebumps. This is what I aspired to do - Nurses doing evangelism and discipleship besides primary health care and other community work. God showed His great provision for my first six months in MAP as a volunteer. I thank Him for using my family and relatives to provide the rope of support. My Christian friends also caught the vision and became my faithful partners. Missionary Nurse. I am that now. Praise Him. Mang Lauding, a 37- year old man, struggling to write his own name on a piece of paper… Seeing the world through God’s eyes makes the difference. If all of us Christians would only try to see the world His way, less people will feel unloved and hopeless. I know this is true for His grace has allowed me to experience it. It pains my heart to say this, but the silence from His children is deafening. Yes, we are silent, so silent. We are the body of Christ. And yet, how would they know that God loves them if we, called to be His hands and feet, do not say a word? How will they know that there is hope, if we do not care to act? Tough questions. I myself have been part of the problem. But this I do know now: it is time to break this silence. It is time to act. Friends, there is a story, a much greater story. Step in. And welcome. It has been a great joy for me to live this chapter, word for word, just as the greatest Author wanted it to be. “But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.” (Philippians 3:7 NASB)
REFLECTIONS FROM JABEZ EXPEDITION “The Lord reaffirms my calling as His missionary to the nations, He is opening doors of opportunities and He is now working in my life in preparation for my response to go and make disciples of all nations...” - Paul Bañas,RN
MAP’s OFFICERS ANDBOARD OF TRUSTEES President Emeritus: Dr. Eleazar O. Sarmiento President: Dr. Eliseo A. Garcia Chairman: Atty. Alex Parco Vice Chairman: Dr. Daniel Venera cion Secretary: Mrs. Jo Solis Treasurer: Mrs. Ivanna Dela Peña Members: Ms. Lu Asprec Mr. Rene Bajit Dr. Pedro Bañas Dr. Ronald Macam Mr. Rommel San Pedro
“Having a short glimpse of Cambodia and its people opened my eyes beyond the joys of travelling... it is immersing in their territory without thinking of my own MAPLINE is published 2-3 times a comforts...it is being sensitive of year by their worldviews... being able to MEDICAL AMBASSADORS speak the heart of Jesus through PHILIPPINES, INC. my life...appreciating their being ABCCOP Center, 102 Sct. Rallos, different from us...it is identifyDiliman, Quezon City ing myself with them..” - Ira Tel. (02) 239-1633 Cabria,RN
medicalambassadorsphil@gmail.com “Jabez Expedition 2012 made www.medicalambassadorsphil.wordme realize (first-hand experipress.com ence) the challenges faced by frontier missionaries and even by OFWs in crossing language and EDITORIAL STAFF cultural barriers... We, therefore, fervently pray to the Lord of the Mrs. Belle Puruganan - Villanueva harvest to send forth workers into Editor His harvest field so that one day there will be no more missions, Mrs. Alice Bañas, RN, MHPEd everything will be worship.” Editorial Adviser – Yanyan Amarillo,RN
“...His heart represented people, MAP Workers poor people. His heart was for Contributing Writers the prostitutes. The eyes of His heart were never off His servants, Asheri Ira Cabria, RN those serving Him faithfully on Layout the field. His heart stood with the sick, His heart was for the ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF confused, lost, marginalized, SUPPORTERS desperate…” - Precious Bañas, Medical Student Because you pray - we are encouraged and inspired to minister “Home, where is home? I thought and provide healing to the sick, I went home to the Philippines, strength to the weak and salvation but I don’t feel I am home. I am at to the lost. home when I am doing what the Because you share - we are Lord wants. I am at home with the Lord…”- Julius Melad,RN enabled to go places and bring to many people your tangible expres“...My prayer to the Lord is to sions of love to assure them they have the sensitivity to hear are not forgotten. the hearts of the people I will encounter despite the culture Because you respond to the call and language barriers...Our trip many lives have been blessed by to Vietnam and Cambodia helped your presence, showing comfort me to put all these into practice. I felt fulfilled and felt closer to my and letting people know they are not alone in their suffering. Father.” - Em Jimena,RN