ANTIPOLO CITY, Rizal – It took three gruesome hours to get to the medical mission site in Barangay Calawis. The vehicle got stuck in deep potholes several times. The dusty and muddy road due to typhoon Ondoy made the trip more difficult.

But all hardships and difficulties were worth it as Operation Blessing, together with the Arava Search and Rescue Team, gave out free medical checkups and medicines to one of the most underserved areas in Antipolo City.

Most of the patients said it has been years since they have been examined by a doctor. Some even walked for hours just to get to the medical mission site.

Maricel, 26, was very thankful for the medicines she received. She has a newborn child suffering from allergies, while her other five children have cough.

“If we’ll only rely on our own earnings, I am sure that we won’t be able to afford the medicines you gave us,” said Maricel. “I am so thankful to Operation Blessing because God used this team to serve us, even if this place is so far and remote.”

Carmen, 29, came to the OB site with chills and feeling dizzy while carrying her newborn child. It was found out that her baby had a twin, who died when she gave birth during the peak of typhoon Ondoy.

After being checked up by a volunteer doctor and taking the medicines prescribed to her, Carmen felt relieved and became better.

“I would like to thank Operation Blessing and the Lord who sent them here. If there was no medical mission here, I might have been hospitalized, and that would be troublesome for us because we do not have enough money,” Carmen said.

“I also learned from the counselors that everything that happens has a purpose. Even though we are experiencing hardships, I know God will see us through,” she added.

It took Editha two hours to get to the medical mission site, but it sure paid off for what she received was more than what she expected.

Editha is thankful for the free checkup and medicines she availed at the medical mission, but she was also thankful for something else.

“The counselor introduced me to Jesus Christ, and now I am grateful to Him because it was only our crops that got washed out, not our lives,” she said. “God still has a purpose for me, even at my age.”

Pastor Arman Leonardo of Jesus I Belong to You Church said the people are so happy because somebody really cared for them and went to their place even though it was very hard to get there.

“People are thanking me, saying they are very grateful that people like you still care for them,” the pastor told OB. His house is also far from the area where the medical mission took place, but he has a heart to reach out his fellow villagers.

“I am happy because it was not just their physical illnesses that have been attended. We also led them to Jesus Christ, and I pray that the seeds we’ve planted will grow through our follow-up visits to them,” Pastor Arman said.

Operation Blessing served 189 individuals in Calawis; 110 of them were children and 79 were adults. There was also a community feeding where 200 hungry individuals were fed.


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