Medical Mission near Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte with follow-on mini-medical at Shekinah Home in Dingras.This report is written by Mattie Patterson. She is a student at the College of William and Mary. She served on a 2 month short-term mission here in Baguio City.

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DAKILANG PAGIBIG “DIADEM” MINISTRIES, INC.

Baguio City

MISSION REPORT

LOCATION:              Dampig, Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte

DATE:                   June 21-22, 2008

HOST CHURCH:              Dampig Christian Fellowship Center, Dampig, Pagudpud,

                                    Ilocos Norte

FUNDED BY:            Dakilang Pagibig partners abroad and in the Philippines

NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS FROM BAGUIO CITY & MANILA:  15

STATISTICS:

 
INTRODUCTION:

We were invited by Dampig Christian Fellowship Center to bring medical and dental care to Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte.  Pagudpud is located in northern Luzon, surrounded by God’s wonderful creation of mountains and beaches.  Ilocano is the dominant dialect in the area.  In fact, one pastor serving with us commented that they believe it’s the language of heaven because Ilocanos are found all over the world!  DPDM partnered with Dampig Christian Fellowship Center, an Assembly of God church, in a film showing and medical mission.  DPDM also visited the Shekinah Home in Dingras to conduct a mini-medical mission. 

COMMENTS:

Volunteers gathered in Baguio City on Friday morning for the 11-hour journey to Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte.  JR Andres made sure that the long drive was broken up by numerous stops for specialty foods and sight-seeing along the way.  After arriving at Dampig Christian Fellowship Center in Pagudpud, the team relaxed at one of the beautiful beaches in the area and then held a Vernacular Video Ministry film showing that night.  The team was broken up into different groups and hosted by members of the church overnight. 

Saturday morning, the team met early to begin setting up for the medical mission.  JR Andres coordinated who would be serving at each station: registration, vital signs, evangelism, medical, dental, surgery and pharmacy.  The husband and wife team of doctors, the Buadas, were celebrating their 24th wedding anniversary while serving on the mission field, so in the afternoon, the group surprised them with a cake.  Everyone was touched by their willingness to give of their time on such an important day in their lives.  At the end of a long day, the team traveled again to another beach in the area, known as the Blue Lagoon.  This provided a time of rest and relaxation on the beach and in the water for the team.  As we watched the waves roll and the sunset, we were amazed by God’s creation and the beautiful blessings He provided for us.  

Sunday morning, the team attended Dampig Christian Fellowship Center’s worship service where we were prayed over.  The church also presented JR Andres with a plaque of appreciation.  The team loaded up to travel to the Shekinah Home after the service.  Even as we drove away, a few church members ran up to the window to give us a few more gifts of refreshments for the road. 

At the Shekinah Home, the team provided basic medical check-ups and medicine, handed out toothbrushes and toothpaste, and made balloon animals for the children.  The children were very excited to play and laugh with the team members.  After holding the babies, hugging many of the children, and sharing Christ’s love with them, members of the team became quite attached to the children.  By mid-afternoon, the team hit the road again for the long journey back to Baguio.   

OUR GRATITUDE TO:

Much thanks goes to the leaders and members of Dampig Christian Fellowship Center as well as the workers at the Shekinah Home.  Thanks goes to those who provided accommodations and delicious food!  DPDM also thanks the volunteers who gave of themselves to serve Christ in a mighty way. 

The 3rd Quarter 2008 Newsletter is now on our Website.

       -Text Only Version is in NEWSLETTERS Page

       -Full Newsletter (.pdf) is in DOWNLOADS, under NEWSLETTERS.

The 2nd half of 2008 starts big with a minimedical mission at City Camp Proper, Baguio City, for children on July 5th. The same day, training will be done in Agribusiness technology  

 Thoughts for the moment:

"The church as a whole must be concerned with both evangelism and social action. It is not a case of either-or; it is both-and; anything less is only a partial gospel, not the whole counsel of God."

-Robert D. Dehann

“Jesus was a revolutionary, not in the guerrilla warfare sense, but in His teaching on leadership. The term servant speaks everywhere of low prestige, low respect, low honor. Most people are not attracted to such a low-value role. When Jesus used the term, however, it was a synonym of greatness. And that was a revolutionary idea.”

(“Spiritual Leadership” by J. Oswald Sanders, p. 21)

DAKILANG PAGIBIG “DIADEM” MINISTRIES, INC.

Baguio City

MISSION REPORT

LOCATION:              Bacnor East & West, Burgos, Isabela

DATE:             May 24 and 25, 2008

HOST CHURCH:      Assembly of God Church, Bacnor, Burgos, Isabela

FUNDED BY:            Dakilang Pagibig partners abroad and in the Philippines

NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS FROM BAGUIO CITY & MANILA:  16

NUMBER OF MEDICAL VOLUNTEERS FROM ISABELA:  02

STATISTICS:

INTRODUCTION:

Isabela is the second largest province of the Philippines next to Palawan.  It has two cites and 35 townships.  It is located in the Cagayan Valley Region in Luzon.  Its capital is Ilagan and borders, clockwise from the south, Aurora, Quirino, Nueva Viscaya, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Kalinga, and Cagayan.  This primarily agricultural province is the rice and corn granary of Luzon.

In 2000, Isabela was the most populated province among the five provinces in Cagayan Valley (Region II). It has a population of 1,287,575 people (660, 627 males and 626,948 females).  Ilocano was the most prominent ethnic group in Isabela.  Of the total population, 68.71% classified themselves as Ilocanos.  The next two prominent ethnic groups were Ibanag (14.05% and Tagalog 10.02%.  The remaining 7.22% were either Gaddang, Paranan, Yogad, or were from other ethnic groups.

Bacnor East and West are two unique barrangays nestled in the middle of fertile rice lands and corn fields. Although rich in agricultural products, most of the people are farmers who are primarily dependent upon the bounty of their harvest.  Most of these farmers are tenants of vast landowners.  

COMMENTS:

This medical mission outreach was held on a two-day span in order to maximize our efforts in reaching out to the lost and needy in these remote parts of Isabela. In addition to these two barrangays, several prospects from neighboring barrangays were also invited to come to the mission point in order to hear the gospel and to receive the much needed free medical services.

Our sponsoring church painstakingly trained and joyfully mobilized its key member to share the gospel during the medical mission exposure.  The pastor and their leaders were so appreciative of the opportunity to share the gospel through one-on-one or small group sharing.  Their church is now more equipped with greater sensitivity to help bring the Great Commission to all corners of Isabela and beyond.

The film showing on Friday night was a resounding success!  About 400 people showed up at the (film) crusade.  Pastor Ric Santacruz preached a powerful message on salvation during a paused at the middle of the film showing and hundreds followed with the sinners’ prayers. It was awesome indeed.  Praise the Lord! 

God has graciously touched the lives of two U.S. based physicians vacationing in Isabela to partake in patient consultation. All volunteers from various backgrounds systematically and harmoniously worked together in providing quality patient care to all people and in orchestrating spiritual revival in the land.  All done for God’s glory and honor.   

OUR GRATITUDE TO:

The barrangay captains in providing excellent logistics support for the efficient execution of the medical mission. Both barrangays cheerfully provided delicious meals, and displayed exceptional hospitality that contributed significantly to the success of the medical mission outreach.

Our gracious host homes that provided 5-star accommodations to our out of town volunteers.  Thank you Mr. & Mrs. Loy Madanes of Santa Clara, California through their kind hostesses Lani and Arlene, Mr. & Mrs. Julius Areola, Mr. & Mrs. Zaldy & Pamela Layugan, and Mr. & Mrs. Ruben Areola.

Our volunteers – Doctors,  Abad, Gatdula, Rene Buada, Evita Buada, and Connie Coronel. Dentists,  doctors Robert Calica, Mai Gomez, Noemi Nunez, and Grace.   Nurses Melba, Angie, Marivic, Rose, and Beth.  Our spiritual advisers Pastors Ric and Virgie Santacruz, and our team leader Kuya Jr. 

Our sponsoring church for their “can do” spirit in sharing the gospel to all people under difficult situations. By the grace of God and through the power of the Holy Spirit, many people come to know Jesus Christ as their personal Lord through our able counselors.

Our prayer partners and supporters.  Thank you once again for your prayers and for your financial support during this successful mission outreach.

To God be the glory.