COMMENTS:
Our team was composed of just over 20 individuals from DPDM, and a large number of nursing and medical students from Baguio Central University. Additionally, there were a large number of volunteers from Saved By Grace Baptist Church. Combining this with supportive baragnggay leadership meant that this trip was well manned. Statistically speaking, this was one of our smaller mission trips with 315 reached. However, San Fermin is a sparsely populated community. For that size place, the attendance was quite good and the response was very positive.
The school grounds was quite unusual by Filipino standards. Normally, rural Filipino schools are built in a flat area with various school buildings surrounding a large open square. This school was on a slope with class buildings at different levels. The whole school grounds was heavily wooded. It was actually very nice to work in such a beautiful shady campus.
A. We always appreciate our financial sponsors, but our sponsors this time were different than normal. Our sponsors were children. The 2006 Vacation Bible School at Ivory Baptist Church decided to collect money for a mission project. That mission project was to fund a medical evangelistic mission in the Philippines. Bob Munson, of DPDM, grew up in Ivory Baptist. The money was sent in September and we were able to use that money to fund this trip to San Fermin. Children can do so much to change the world for the better.
B. Asher Quimson was among several guests who joined our trip to observe and learn about medical mission work. He decided to bring his puppet equipment. He (with help from Jose, Celia, and Ophie) put on a show in the morning, when the largest concentration of local children were present. It went very well, and suggests that this may be a valuable addition for future missions.
C. It was nice to be involved with a host church that seemed so interested in community outreach. They handled all of the registration and counseling, and much of the crowd control. We pray that more churches can have such vision and willingness to work for the kingdom of God.
We are thankful to our regular team members (medical and non-medical). We also appreciate our guests, and the group from Baguio Central University. Our host church, elementary school, and baranggay also did such a great job in taking care of us.
To all volunteers, thank you for your personal sacrifices and love for the people of San Fermin—body and soul. To our supporters and prayer partners, thank you once again for your participation and love offerings. To all of you, we couldn’t have done it without your prayers and encouragement. To God be the glory.
God bless you.
Bob Munson
President, Dakilang Pag-ibig DIADEM Ministries, Inc. Philippines
