PHILIPPINES MEDICAL MISSION - Global Aid Network Australia

Be the change you want to see in the world. So began an email to prospective team mem-
bers in October 2010. In the coming months, little did we know, how over the short space
of fifteen days, a small team of GAiN Australia representatives would do this. The oppor-
tunity was given to twelve members to spend time in the Philippines to work with locals
during a short term mission trip.
GAiN Australia were blessed to connect with two local partner organisations – the newly
established GAiN Philippines (a field office of GAiN Australia) and the Agape Rural Pro-
gram (ARP). Kuya Arthur Adriano and Ate Alicia Prima were the respective contacts for
GAiN and ARP. Before the team had even arrived, a full itinerary had been planned. It was
encouraging to know that before the team had even left Australian soil, God had prepared
the way ahead of us.
After flying into Manila and settling in for our first night, our first clinic was set in the
‘heart of Manila’, in Tondo, hosted by the humble Tondo Blessed Bible Baptist Church.
Ministering to those living in squalor, most of whom had been forced to be relocated,
proved a eye opening experience to all. It set the tone for the trip and reminded us that we
had come to serve a country where 45% of the population was surviving on less than US
$ 2 a day.
Many of the team also remember their first genuine Filipino meal. It came from a people
who were giving so much when they had so little, a group truly giving out of sacrifice and
not of wealth. While finding our feet, the team managed to see a crowd of just over 300
patients.
PHILIPPINES MEDICAL MISSION
28 TH DEC 2010 – 12 TH JAN 2011
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Following the new year, where
we were generously hosted by
locals in their home towns, clin-
ics were held at Cogeo and Pa-
grai in Antipolo city in conjunc-
tion with two outreaches of
Heritage Christian Fellowship
(Pastor Levi Octavio). Thanks
must go to Pastor Levi for sac-
rificing his time during our trip
to become the team’s driver.
Each day began with fellowship, with each team member given the opportunity to facilitate
a devotion. The activities varied from sharing a song, reflecting on scripture, corporate
prayer to communion. While nurturing growth, it also reminded us that we were not doing
it for ourselves, but for a much greater purpose.

A little further out of metro Manila, the team visited Rapha Health Clinic. Alina, a missionary from
Romania, had set up a permanent clinic building in the small area, yet there were generally too
many patients to cater for. GAiN provided three doctors and two medical students, enabling slightly
over 200 patients to be seen on a single day.
The GAiN Australian team was drawn from Newcastle, Sydney and Melbourne, some having only
briefly met for a single, intense training session, while others met for the first time on the mission
field. The team came from a mix of backgrounds, careers and ages, though this proved no barrier to
working together for a common purpose.
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We were also privileged to work with a number
of local Filipinos who sacrificed time in travel,
away from family and work commitments. A spe-
cial mention goes to Dr Liza Orseno, Alicia Prima
(ARP) and Jhules Lee (ARP), kuya Art & Ate An-
nie Adriano (GAiN Philippines) who attended
many of our clinics. Though half the team did not
have a medical background and were concerned
that they would not find a purpose during a fort-
night of clinics, all service orientated, their ser-
vant hearts proved otherwise. All team members
were willing to serve to wherever they were re-
quired, often without prompting. Typically larger
teams have been sent to manage medical clinics
seeing close to 100 patients per day. It was
touching to see that in most clinics, though un-
planned and short on bodies, there were many
hands willing to be involved in children’s minis-
try. All members rotated posts and were able to
cover for each other, ensuring that the clinic ran
smoothly and was not compromised.
The places where the GAiN team has ministered

January 4 saw the GAiN team field two half day clinics. These, however, were not half capacity, but
two full clinics, with close to 400 consultations in each of the two clinics in Quezon City. By God’s
grace the team survived without any incident from the fatigue, stress or heat on the day.
The trip also enabled GAiN to build relationships and set the foundation to do future work. At the
halfway point, following our seventh clinic in Rodriguez, Rizal, partnering with Bagong Pagasa
Christian church, the team also visited PGH - Philippines General Hospital, the largest hospital in
the Philippines. Encouragingly, having recently become aware of GAiN’s work, PGH’s head of sur-
gery announced that they were prepared to accept referrals from GAiN’s mission clinics in the fu-
ture. Time was taken to tour the hospital and to place perspective on what GAiN was doing, show-
ing the disparity in availability and cost of health services in Australia and the Philippines.
The concept of medical mission is not one foreign to the Philippines. They are often conducted by
politicians as a means of promotion and publicity. The GAiN team had come to share a gift lasting
longer than a fortnight’s supply of medicines, not merely give a hand out. It was pleasing to all in-
volved to see that even through repetition and fatigue, each and every member continued to smile
while carrying out their duties.
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Their contrasting attitudes were
even noticed by locals, where
doctors would take time to sit
and listen, to counsel and give
advice. Typical medical mis-
sions in the Philippines have
paid doctors running through
the motions and a small quantity
of medicines given, however,
what the team presented was
apparently much much more. A
number of minor surgeries were
also performed, where patients
would not have otherwise had
the opportunity nor funds to
have the procedure.
Our final three clinics were
conducted in Valenzuela City,
Taytay, and Navotas in con-
junction with with Saved by
Grace Christian Church, Agape
Rural Program (ARP) and Navo-
tas Christian Community Fel-
lowship respectively. At Tay-
tay, the team were also able to
distribute hygiene packs, con-
taining soap, a toothbrush,
toothpaste and a face towel. Children were taught how to use the products, some of them never
having had their own toiletries before.

Through the twelve clinics held on the trip, we were able to see just over 2000 patients. A second
round of thanks must go out to Dr Jun Bantatua and Dr Liza Orseno for inviting their medical doc-
tors friends. This enabled the GAiN team to see more patients than would otherwise be humanly
possible, and also provided an unexpected opportunity to show the love of Christ by exposing them
to the work of GAiN. Many hands also allowed the team to disciple to one another and build rela-
tionships, rather than simply going through the motions of seeing patients day in day out.
Throughout the two weeks, the team were blessed to have the protection of God’s hand. There was
provision in health – no team member fell ill, and provision in weather. Though being in the tail end
of the wet season, rain fell only on the days the team flew in and out of the country, not affecting
the clinics whatsoever.
The Philippines remains a nation where harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. There is great
hope for the country, with president Aquino recently agreeing to attend a church service and be
prayed for on behalf of the nation. This short term mission trip was a simple demonstration of what
a small group with a single purpose and God’s blessing can do. Therefore we give all the glory and
honour for what God has done in Philippines through the GAiN Medical Mission Team during this trip.
Without Him it is impossible to achieve this great outcome.
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