Medical Mission!

Setting up and helping operate the medical clinic was amazing.   I couldn't help but smile.  We began at 8.  I was helping the "pharmacy" with separating vitamins from the big bottles into small baggies, with labels and a week's worth of vitamins.  We were giving out adult and children's multivitamins and vitamin C.  I also got to learn a few phrases in Tagalog as I was talking to the Filipinos working beside me.  The funnest part was when I got to take the vital signs of the patients.  I took their temperature, blood pressur, and pulse.  They then proceeded to ask me if their blood pressur was okay, so I got a chance to play doctor.  I was informing the patients with high blood pressure to limit their sodium intake, do moderate exercise, and limit their fat intake.  The physicians and nurses from the U.S. and Philippines collaborated to see the patients, over 300 throughout the day!  There was one bad case of shingles, but other than that the cases were fairly mild.  There was alot of cold and cough medication given out as respiratory tract infection is very common in the Philippines.  There were also antibiotics and prescription meds available.   The patients were all very friendly.  I love the Philippines.  I am so grateful to God for this opportunity.

Post-game interaction

Below are videos of me interacting with fans after the game.  It is so ridiculous that they are so enamored with us.  I even play much but they were still lining up to take pictures with me.  It was a blessing to encourage the fans to build or continue to strengthen their relationship with Christ.  

After the game we were taking pictures for about 30 minutes with the fans and players.  Some of the players were were palying against asked for my shoes.  I didn’t play too many minutes because I am the walk on and the only didn’t play in college and didn’t have any points but they were still surrounding me and asking for picture after picture.  I signed autographs along with my favorite bible verse.

I'm looking forward to starting the medical portion of the trip tomorrow.  This has been such a memorable experience.  I didn't expect this but I have a little taste of fame.  People line outside of the restaurants we are at, they wave as we pass in the bus, and everyone is extremely polite.  

First day in the Philippines

The first day was eye opening.  We drove from the Manila airport through Davao to Digos.  As we were traveling on the bus we saw how beautiful the nature was on the island: beautiful trees, a few gorgeous tall houses, tall green mountains, and the ocean.  We also noticed the saddening slum conditions: small “houses” with tin roofs.  Many of those houses would be destroyed in the case of a heavy flood or hurricane.  We also noted people bathing in dirty swamp waters and collecting water from the swamps, children smoking, and walking with cloths over their faces.  Workers were climbing tall ladders secured only by being leaned against a single telephone wire.  Many of the residents of the city were waving at us on the bus.  The hotel we stayed at was going through remodeling, and we were quickly introduced to a different lifestyle.  Toilet paper as not provided, the shower did not get very warm, there was no separation between the shower and toilet floor.  We had 5 small beds in one room, and most of the guys are over 6’3’’ so it’s funny to try to seem them fit.  The traffic is on a whole different level here.  Little kids are riding on mopeds and we haven’t seen any traffic lights in Digos.  It’s more of a “bigger car wins” mode of traffic regulations.  People weave in and out of lanes, no crosswalks, tons of motorcycles, taxis, and mopeds.   However, there are very few accidents.  That night we played a basketball game…

Flight

The adventure started just getting to the airport.  We were supposed to leave Bakersfield at 1 to be in San Francisco airport by 5, but that didn't happen.  I picked up a CSUB basketball player, Rashad, who's also going on the trip then we went to meet our team leader Carl at his office.  We packed the luggage into a van that we're going to take.  Carl sent us to cash some checks then we went to go get some food.  Carl had to make another couple of stops before we finally got on the freeway.  We hit the roat at 3.  We made a stop to use the restroom, where there was a line, and their own dude sprinted like Usain Bolt to crowd the line.  I figured he had to use the restroom more than me.  There was some traffic on the way there, so the van driver was weaving in and out of traffic.  Then we got a call that one of the coaches who is going on the trip left his passport at home!  His wife didn't have her cell phone and his son was at work.  We had to change our route in order to get the passport in order for the coach to get his passport.  Rashad hopped the fence even thought a dog was in the backyard.  Luckily the dog was friendly and didn't bite.  We looked around for his spare key but couldn't find it.  The coach's son rushed home from work to find his dad's passport and give it to us.  This was at 7:30 and we were scheduled to arrive at the airport at 5.  We finally got to the airport around 8:45.  We had to shuffle some items around in the bags in order to meet the limit of 50 pounds.  We got to the gate around 10, but luckily our flight go pushed back to 11:10.  I got to meet the fellow members of the mission team, they all seemed really cool.  The flight was smooth, and I got in some good sleep.  Airplane was a huge double decker.  It was a long flight, 14 hrs, but it really didn't seem that long.

Support

Only 15 days until I leave!  I am now about $300 away from my goal.  The support is greatly appreciated.  With graduation coming up, I am sure that I will be able to exceed my goal and use the extra money to assist those accompanying me on the trip who need helping paying for the mission trip.  One Filipino lady who works at Kaiser Permanente with our group leader is reaching out to family and friends to help raise money to support our trip.  She has never been able to go to the Philippines, but she continues to support the mission every year.  She is an amazing person and has a huge heart. 

Learning experience

Still about $700 away from my goal.  I am thankful that I will have the opportunity to serve throughout the Philippines.  I am looking forward to being immersed in their culture and way of life for a few weeks.  Locally, Filipinos have proven to be some of the most caring and friendly I have met.  I can't wait to step out of this U.S. bubble.  Anytime I've had interactions with people from different countries, it makes me ashamed of how culturally inept I am and how ignorant I am of events happening around the world. 

Manilla to Mindanao Pt.4