Our First Medical and Dental Mission in Itogon

Dear Friends,

It was a joy to see all the members of our Christian community team up to serve the people of Barangay Loakan, Itogon, Benguet during our January 23 mission trip.

It was interesting to note the way the team members' different gifts became evident as the team planned and prepared for the trip. Tess, Angel and Tania were good at planning, Maricar at cooking, Jackie at serving, Eric at photography, and Jenny at facilitating. Others were good at tapping resources. The Lord supplied our needs such that we were able, not only to provide medical and dental services, but also to distribute used clothes, toys, bags and shoes.

Our serving the people opened wide a door for the gospel. After the health services and a meal together with the families we served, we showed the "Jesus" film, beautifully dubbed in the Kankanaey dialect, and Jenny, one of our team members, shared her personal testimony. One of the fathers made a point of telling me how much he appreciated our showing a film in their own language, and how easily he understood it. Virtually everyone actively participated in our discussion of the Gospel, eagerly raising their hands one after the other to share how they understood the evangelistic movie.

"Do come again," they pleaded with us. So we are making plans to return this month to provide training in personal hygiene and dental care, and to follow up on their excitement about the Gospel.

Most exciting for me, however, was the response of the nursing students. Tania brought along with her several of the nursing students from the dorm in which she lives. They told us how much they enjoyed working with us to serve the needy. Our testimonies, in word and deed, did indeed spark their interest in the Gospel. In fact, six of those who volunteered have begun attending the small group Bible discussions Tania leads in their dormitory. And some of them have, in turn, brought friends along. What a thrill for me to see Tania, herself just two years old in the Lord, being used by God to reach out to others. She has been faithful in meeting with our team for spiritual nourishment and guidance, and now she is seeing the Lord use her to make the Gospel known, not only to her dorm mates, but also to her extended family.

I value your partnership in the Gospel. God bless you!

Joyfully serving, for the sake of the Gospel,


Weng