After arriving here in Ligao on Friday, we got straight into the swing of things with our first full day heading out to San Ramon for a much anticipated medical mission. These are an awesome service and outreach to the community. The church here runs 4 per year and they are funded by the One Community Church in Blackburn. After breakfast at the Primo restaurant here at the David Hometel, we packed up 2 Jeepneys and headed for the country. San Ramon is a very rural community with a little church and a few houses. It has been a big focus over the years by Pastor Choi and Alma and their church. They conduct services out there and they also do a feeding program out there.
When we arrived, we noticed that the kids were initially quite shy. They were very different from the kids in the Manila feeding programs that instantly hung off you. These little people were interested but reluctant to engage. We started by kicking a few soccer balls around. This group grew and eventually an older lady invited us up the road to play in her family compound that had a basketball ring. The kids soon warmed up. We had a great time mucking around there. Initially, it was just our older boys playing with the kids. Then a number of others arrived and lots of fun was had by all.
It was a very hot day and all the adults worked hard at all that they did. The medical mission itself was a well oiled machine with triage, info DVD's, counselling, treatment (by three Doctors - including Dr Rob) and then a medicine dispensary and then finally some instructions on what medicines to take and when. Everyone was doing something. Our teens were playing very hard outside with the kids, while our other kids and others were filling a variety of the above jobs. It was a ripper time and during the course of the day (approximately 9.30-2.30 the team saw, assessed and treated 137 patients.
It was truly a sight to behold. One of the more memorable moments was a 14 year old boy with an infected foot. He had cut it on something and was having lots of trouble walking. It was impacting on his ability to work and go to school. Starry took a real shine to him. He helped to carry him into the mission and then carry him home. Pete had a prompting that he should actually pop back over to see him after he had returned him to his home. Pete really wanted to bless him and encourage him as the young boy had been feeling really overwhelmed by life. He gave him the only thing that he had - His much loved Indianapolis cap. Pete had received this as a gift from his girls when he was in the USA. It was precious to Starry but was probably even more precious to this little boy. The helper that was present with Starry told him that this was a day that the boy would never forget. I suspect that the feeling was mutual.
We had a big feast for lunch, before packing up and heading to the Nassisi feeding program.
(Some of us may have over indulged on the Fried Chicken!! Just saying... so good!!😍)
The medical mission really was a remarkable thing. It attracted so many people and was not only a much needed service, but provided an awesome connection with the community. So many people worked so hard to make this day a success. Everyone contributed something and it was a perfect example of everyone working to their strengths. So many remarkable photos were taken. It isn't possible to show them all here.
Note from Lara - ☺️This was just for a moment!! I had Cankles😩
On the way to Nassisi we took turns at riding up the back of the Jeepney. This is one of the last great reckless joys in life. You'd be arrested if you did this in Australia. It was so much fun and everyone had a blast. We had a great time at the feeding in Nassisi.
Nassisi is a small community where Pastor Choi and Alma and their church have worked for many years. They now empower the community itself to do the cooking and prepare the food. The feeding if for the 100 or so most malnourished kids in the community. They are very ordered and very respectful. It's always great to go out there.
We handed out all manner of goodies too. Most were gifts from people back in Melbourne. The real hit was the magnificent costumes that had been donated (Thanks to Danny and Jackie Whit) and their family connections back in Melbourne. The kids looked absolutely pumped with their new outfits. We also gave out shampoo, toothbrushes, colouring books, bubbles and other clothes. The people back home have been so incredibly generous.
The large assortment of outfits were exceedingly well received. Unfortunately, as one of the co-ordinators of this group of esteemed volunteers, I had to pull rank on Peter Parker and insist that he hand over his special mask. He was very reluctant to give it up and I eventually had to call on the other males in the group to assist me in this task. We will be scheduling an Intervention upon our return to Blackburn.
After Nassisi we headed for the Ligao National Prison. This is the second of our jail visits and I always enjoy going here. It was a great time of fellowship. Starry brought the message (the story of Joseph) Spidey brought a greeting, I did a bit of an intro to the group and Pastor Choi held things together. We even had a little singing item. It was fantastic and the inmates were so incredibly receptive to what was going on. This is a wonderful outreach. We provided stress balls (among other things) to the inmates. Just as I was leaving, a young bloke took a serious interest in my Lakers top. While not wanting to cause a riot, he looked very eager to get his hands on it. So, I handed it over. He was pumped. I bought it in Ligao last year. Once I handed that over, someone else said "I like your hat." I managed to get out with my cap intact.
These bags were kindly purchased by our good friend Nicole Mollmann and organised by Tammy from our Home Group. They are made by an organisation called 'Day for Girls' and these bags of female hygiene products were greatly appreciated by all the females in the Jails.
Tea tonight was back at David Hometel in the Primo restaurant. It was a smashing meal followed by a cheeky trip to 7/11. It's a big of a tradition to head out to 7/11 for a few treats. Soft serve (not as popular as last year), fizzies and lollies were the order of the day. Back to Hometel and then a quiet night. It was an incredibly busy day. While we are only here for a few days, we are well and truly making the most of our time. There isn't much down time and this is just how we like it.
Starry indulges in a coffee and some cheesecake to finish off the night.
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