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FOR
Cumabao, Tumauini, Isabela Medical Mission Trips
Date: May 16, 2007
Financial Sponsor: Emmanuel Christian Community Church, California and Spring Hill Baptist Church, Virginia
Statistics:
| ACTIVITIES |
NUMBER OF PATIENTS |
REMARKS |
| Total Patients |
405 |
|
| Medical |
298 |
|
| Dental |
70 |
Extractions only |
| Surgery (Circumcision) |
35 |
|
| Surgery (Cyst) |
02 |
|
| Prayed to Receive Christ |
219 |
|
| Requested Bible Study |
135 |
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Note: About 1/2 the patients were children
BACKGROUND
Tumauini is one of the most visited towns in the province of Isabela. The famous Camp Samal is one of their prides. It is a camp ground owned and maintained by the town of Tumauini that is open to practically all municipalities of Isabela. It is located on the top of a series of hills where visitors could have a glimpse of the spectacular view of the beautiful valley of Tumauini. A vast agricultural land suitable for planting rice, corn, and tobacco.
The barangay of CUMABAO is situated on the top of one of those gorgeous rolling hills. It is within earshot from the amazingly beautiful Sierra Madre Mountain. Cumabao is about 13 kilometers from the downtown of Tumauini. Too often than not, people in this sleepy barangay speak three different dialects: Ilocano, Ibanag, and Itawis. Despite of its remoteness, residents could understand and speak Tagalog. Cumabao is evidently suffering from a very slow economic growth due to several factors. First, the community has no supply of running water. During the rainy season, water could be collected from the house coverings (Nipa or galvanized iron). During the dry/hot months, water is fetched-in from a natural spring located about two kilometers down the hill. Secondly, the road leading to Cumabao is rough and stony. Thirdly, people don’t have the needed funds to jumpstart important economic development projects in their community. And fourthly, many educated citizens (a common sight in our country nowadays) are living the community to seek greener pasture in urban communities. For those left behind in the community, they resort to farming in the limited agricultural land around them.
There are 202 families in the hillside portion of Cumabao. This is the part of the community where we conducted the medical mission outreach. The medical mission was requested and conducted in order to expand the sharing of the Gospel in this needy community and to help satisfy the felt needs of the people through the free medical and dental services. A body of believers has already been form in this community. Our host church now conducts “house church” on Sunday afternoons.
COMMENTS:
This medical mission was requested by Pastor Bruce Francis of the International Union School in Baguio City. Pastor Francis’ wife is a native of Cumabao. They wanted to help expand the propagation of the Gospel to all members of the hillside portion of Cumabao. Pastors Dennis and Emie Paguirigan of Tumauini Baptist Church coordinated the entire operation. Tumauini Baptist Church graciously and generously prepared and served food for workers from Baguio and beyond.
The team of student pastors and various workers from Tumauini Baptist Church provided the bulk of the manpower for this particular outreach. Our Baguio team of 8 augmented the local workers and by the grace of God all patients were provided quality medical services and most importantly, the Gospel were shared to all patients.
Late in the afternoon, we showed an evangelistic film in Ilocano entitled “Ti Nangisalakan” (The One who saves). The daytime show was quite unique as most of our film showings were conducted on the night before the medical mission. However, the effect of the story to the watchers was powerful as ever. The show was momentarily stopped before the end of the story. At which time, Pastor Dennis shared the Gospel to about 50 watchers who also committed and/or recommitted their lives to Jesus Christ and accepted Him as the Lord and Savior during the invitation. Praise the Lord! The film was resumed and people saw the powerful conclusion of the story. We closed the day’s activities with great anticipations that God is going to flourish, beyond our imagination, the ministry at Cumabao. Thanks be to God for allowing the people to experience physical and, most importantly, spiritual healing that day.
GRATITUDE:
1. Our gratitude to Emmanuel Christian Community Church, Suisun City, California and Springhill Baptist Church, Virginia for graciously and joyfully funding this outreach. We would also like to thank our host church, the Tumauini Baptist Church, for their support and leadership.
2. Our special thanks to our guest doctors: Dr. Tony Gatdula from Maryland, U.S.A.; our Rural Health Unit (RHU) Tumauini representatives, Dr. Gonzales (physician) and Dr. Mona Custodio, (dentist). To our Baguio Team Dr. Rene Buada, Dr. Deo Laxamana, Col Orlie Calingcoy, our nurses Marivic Kohn, Lily Andres, and Rose Bacol; our student nurse Marj Tuquero; and our team leader Kuya Jr Andres.
Also, we would like to extend our appreciation to Ptr Bruce Francis and his wife for providing the food for lunch and two meriendas on mission day.
3. Our heartfelt gratitude to our prayer partners abroad and in the Philippines. We would not have done it successfully without their love and support. We would also like to thank Imagine Studio and Aquashine for graciously providing the drinking water for the workers.
To God be all the glory and honor!
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