cus<strong>to</strong>ms. I believed it would be just a matter of time. I prayed <strong>to</strong> God about it. With <strong>the</strong> medicine still at <strong>the</strong> cus<strong>to</strong>ms, we went <strong>to</strong> meet <strong>the</strong> interns and <strong>the</strong>n proceeded <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> kelong. When we reached <strong>the</strong> kelong, I was expecting a 5 star kelong as we had been <strong>to</strong>ld during <strong>the</strong> meetings for <strong>the</strong> medical trip. But it was a kampong kelong. However, I thought it would be a good experience for me <strong>to</strong> stay in a kampong kelong because we don’t have such experiences in Singapore. Initially, I thought I could adjust <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> kelong life easily. But <strong>the</strong>re were rats, bugs and flies that I had <strong>to</strong> put up with. <strong>the</strong> first night of my bath. It was quite a hard but enriching experience for me. Thirdly, <strong>the</strong>re were insects and rats that caused me <strong>to</strong> wake up in <strong>the</strong> middle of <strong>the</strong> night hoping and praying that <strong>the</strong>y would not disturb me. I had some insect bites. Fourthly, <strong>the</strong> heat <strong>to</strong>rtured me but I felt especially good after having a cold bath. Lastly, I was not accus<strong>to</strong>med <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> Indonesian time though <strong>the</strong>ir time was only one hour behind Singapore. I have a lot <strong>to</strong> be thankful for this medical trip. I thank God for seeing us through <strong>the</strong> trip and making <strong>the</strong> impossible possible. He provided us <strong>the</strong> way out when <strong>the</strong>re seemed <strong>to</strong> be no o<strong>the</strong>r way out. The setbacks could not bring us down. In fact, it streng<strong>the</strong>ned our faith in Him. I also thank God for His divine plans for me. I had heard this in church, 'God has not forgetten you in His plans'. Previously, I did not fully believe this. However, I now believe, God knows how <strong>to</strong> work wonders in ways which Man cannot foresee. Since I was in secondary school, I had aspired <strong>to</strong> be a medical nurse with <strong>the</strong> purpose of helping o<strong>the</strong>rs. This trip made me realise it may be God's plan for me <strong>to</strong> do my nursing course. I felt good rendering help <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> needy patients on this trip. Therefore, I can now confidently say that God has not forgetten me in His plans. I can use my knowledge and skills <strong>to</strong> administer <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> sick. He empowered me with <strong>the</strong> confidence and enthusiasm <strong>to</strong> lend a helping hand <strong>to</strong> o<strong>the</strong>rs, especially <strong>the</strong> sick. I will definitely want <strong>to</strong> go for ano<strong>the</strong>r medical outreach if possible. Batam <strong>Medical</strong> <strong>Mission</strong>s by Sarah Yeo Continued from Page 1 As <strong>the</strong> day for <strong>the</strong> medical trip drew nearer, I was excited and yet worried because I am a dental surgery assistant and not a medical nurse. Dental and medical procedures are quite different. But I believed God would see me through <strong>the</strong> trip. When we reached Batam, everybody was worried because <strong>the</strong> medicine could not get through <strong>the</strong> cus<strong>to</strong>ms. I do not know why, but I just felt it would clear The food was delicious and <strong>the</strong> meals, sumptuous. We were very happy with <strong>the</strong> food. I was very <strong>to</strong>uched by <strong>the</strong> good food that Uncle Lincoln and Aunt Daisy had prepared for us. After a while, we received <strong>the</strong> good news that <strong>the</strong> medicine had cleared <strong>the</strong> cus<strong>to</strong>ms. We really thanked God for <strong>the</strong> good news. When <strong>the</strong> medicine arrived, everyone started <strong>to</strong> pack <strong>the</strong> medicine in<strong>to</strong> individual plastic bags. I enjoyed packing <strong>the</strong>m. The next day, we reached <strong>the</strong> first village of our medical trip. When we reached <strong>the</strong>re, we started <strong>to</strong> prepare everything ready <strong>to</strong> see <strong>the</strong> patients. When I saw <strong>the</strong> first patient coming <strong>to</strong>wards me, I was a bit scared. But I managed <strong>to</strong> get over it. It was quite difficult <strong>to</strong> communicate with <strong>the</strong> patients as we do not know <strong>the</strong>ir language. I was thankful that <strong>the</strong>re was an interpreter. Our first medical outreach at <strong>the</strong> first village was quite a success though <strong>the</strong> wea<strong>the</strong>r was ra<strong>the</strong>r hot. When I saw <strong>the</strong> happy faces of <strong>the</strong> villagers, I felt very happy. To me, it was worth coming for this trip. The following day, we reached <strong>the</strong> second and <strong>the</strong> last village for this medical trip. From <strong>the</strong> briefing <strong>the</strong> night before, we improved on our procedures for seeing <strong>the</strong> patients. The doc<strong>to</strong>rs treated more patients here than <strong>the</strong> previous village. After seeing <strong>the</strong> patients, we had <strong>to</strong> go back <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> boat. When we were walking <strong>to</strong> our boat, we had <strong>to</strong> cross a difficult bridge. I wanted <strong>to</strong> cry but my sister held my hands and crossed <strong>the</strong> bridge with me. I really appreciated her understanding. I also thanked God who watched us during this medical trip. I hope I can go back again <strong>to</strong> help <strong>the</strong> needy again and I am thankful for this opportunity given <strong>to</strong> me by God and His church.
Page 4 PP’s First <strong>Medical</strong> <strong>Mission</strong>s in Batam FOCUS FOCUS is published weekly by <strong>the</strong> Church of Christ (English-speaking) meeting at 347 <strong>Pasir</strong> <strong>Panjang</strong> Road, Singapore 118688 (Tel: 67788259. Fax: 67765278). eMail Address: ppcoc@pacific.net.sg. Internet Webpage: www.ppcoc.org. Address all correspondence <strong>to</strong> Church of Christ, <strong>Pasir</strong> <strong>Panjang</strong> P.O. Box 74, Singapore 911123.
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