We returned from the Philippines with a great report! We were able to invest time in two communities in Manila and also with our two Filipino students, Elmer and Mary Jane, who are doing very well in their studies as they focus on their future with MRI.

The highlight of the trip (for me) was when we back-packed all our equipment into Malagong, a small village that is about a one hour (uphill) drive out of Bontoc and then a one hour trek (with all our equipment on our backs) through the rice paddies to the little medical center where we set up the clinic. Fortunately our team consisted of a number of tri-athletes who were able to carry the bulk of the load for the rest of the team..

The Malagong Terraces are literally carved out of the hillsides to create the thousands of rice paddies. This area will be a destination area for us in the future, as they get very little aid. We met a 94 year-old man in Malagong who fought with the Americans to defend his village during World War II. He and his friends drove back the enemy through guerilla warfare tactics, but the Japanese came with a stronger force. Then a US Army unit came to their aid and helped to regain the village so they could begin the process of re-building their homes. It was incredible to hear his stories and to feel the respect and thankfulness for America, which we don't get every place we serve! Please keep this group of people in your prayers, that they would move forward to spiritual and physical health in the days ahead.

After seeing over 800 patients in a short period of time, it is time to re-gather and prepare to go to Tanzania, leaving this Friday. This will be a time to meet with our other MRI International students and also plan for the future clinic to be built in the Maswa area of Tanzania.

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2009 Trip Click to see video