The community health care program will be opening its 3rd batch and nurses are encouraged to join the group in Palawan projects. Requirements could be found in the www.missionarynurses.com. There will be interview process, series of training, and community immersion, which will last for 1 year.

The second batch of nurses who are all based in three municipalities in Palawan have been helping a lot of people in these areas, catering most of the health care needs in their respective barangays. They will be finishing their term this March, giving way to the next batch of nurses to work in these localities.

This year, GMMN has installed its First Managing Director for 2012, Mr. Von Carlo L. Hechanova, one of the founders and the Chief Finance Officer, who has served the group since its foundation days. Von will be representing the Board of Trustees and the whole organization, and managing the operations in cooperation with the executive officers, project coordinators and staff workers.

Alongside with this, GMMN will be strengthening its network in Norway with Mr. Billy Roman leading the group in network support. Sir Billy, as fondly called by the staff, has been very instrumental in the establishment of the organization as he helped in financing the start-up of the group. He will be helped with Mr. Alison Rivera, also the founder of the GMMN, together with Mr. Je Marc Ocaya, board member. Both are currently based in Norway.

This 2012 is another year of challenge as GMMN is soaring high in making positive changes in the lives of everyone, especially in rural and remote areas in the world.

If you are an NGO, foundation or an individual who wants to partner or support our cause, please feel free to e-mail us at info@missionarynurses.com. 

Founded in December 2008, GMMN has been an epitome for health care workers that have only one goal – to help other people who are in dire need to obtain free health care services in rural and remote areas.

“We will be conducting series of feeding programs among undernourished children in the Province of Palawan, which will be in the municipalities of Aborlan, Roxas and Taytay. We will also have an orphanage visit and one day activity in Bacolod City, and a medical mission in Puerto Princesa City with the Batac Tribe,” Asahel D. Catap said, chief operations officer/vice president of GMMN.

He added that the group is looking forward extending some activities in Davao City during the Organization Meeting and Strategic Planning for 2012, which will be held in that city on December 25-27, 2011.

Surviving through help and support of friends, sponsors and donors, the different programs GMMN has, have helped more than 10,000 individuals in different projects that have been implemented in Luzon and Visayas strategic areas.

For the next three years, GMMN hopes to expand in some areas in the country and nearby South-East Asian countries. It is looking into establishing training school, home health care nursing, integration of emergency and public health care nursing, and nursing specialized sub-specialties.

GMMN accepts financial sponsorships, donations of materials, and program partnerships. You may reach us through e-mail at info@missionarynurses.com, for inquires.  Contact persons: Mr. Jaspere John Delos Reyes, project coordinator in Palawan, 0063 915-281-5100, Mr. Von Carlo L. Hechanova, project officer in Bacolod City, 0063 919-654-03-06, Mr. John Bryan P. Tapolgo, corporate secretary in Davao City, 0063 918-319-67-25.

It was a warm and lazy afternoon in the  Academy. I was about to finish my class teaching Home Nursing to fourth year students, when a woman holding a single hibiscus flower peeked through the window. I thought that she was a parent visiting one of my students, but I was then told that our visitor was mentally challenged and was brought to our remote campus by her wandering mind and greasy feet. The class was dismissed shortly after the distinct and vibrant sound of the bell echoed the halls. While I was halfway to the cafeteria, where an adjacent room served as my quarters, I saw her from a distance dancing under the torrential downpour. Memories of my psychiatric nursing exposure flooded me, but I shrugged off the wild ideas forming in my head. Tired from the eventful day, I changed into my casual clothes and ate a bowl of corn kernels. Then again, my eyes caught her from afar sitting under a mango tree enjoying the same meal I was eating. Someone kind enough acted on the idea that she might need the food. The nagging thought that told me to approach her won’t keep still. So when I finished my meal, I asked Caleb, a working student, to go with me and approach the mad woman who will soon change a portion of my life forever. As we walked towards her direction, I tried to recall as fast my lessons on therapeutic communication and nurse-patient interaction. I never did thought that I could use it on the mission field but it proved me wrong. I breathed a prayer to heaven asking for courage, stillness, and compassion.

She doesn’t appear violent, though her eyes wander in all probable directions. I asked her if I could sit beside her, she answered me with a crisp “yes!”. I started to initiate a conversation while Caleb played his guitar nearby. The other worried-looking students stood in awe, if not amused.

“What is your name?” I inquired.

“ Divine.” She answered while staring into unknown space.

I couldn’t get her to look at me. I noted looseness of association, flight of ideas, disorientedness and all other signs that told me she had lost her grip of reality. She had an unruly, curly hair, drenched clothes, bloody shorts and a string of cloth tied around her waist. Upon further assessment, I realized she had boils just above her buttocks which caused the bleeding. From time to time, she would answer rationally that I was able to put the pieces of her story together. I just know that most of her coherent answers were true. A mad woman could never get as consistent as this one. I was enveloped by a certain degree of sadness, empathy and a sense of mission. The Holy Spirit works in a heart in ways that could catch us off guard sometimes.

Divine C.A. is 28 years old. She was the youngest among the 6 children. I’m not sure if she told me the truth when she stated that she graduated with a course of Computer Science Technology at a university in Puerto Princesa City. I don’t even know that such course existed. Minus the “technology” there at the end, possibly. Divine was married. She gave birth to a baby boy on May 9, 2011. A week after giving birth, she returned to work as a vendor to make ends meet. Since she has not recuperated fully, she started to get sick and her negative symptoms appeared. To make matters worse, her husband left her, bringing their only baby with him. This caused her depression and further decline of mental soundness.

In the middle of our conversation, it started to rain so we sought shelter from the girls’ dormitory. She looked uneasy and paranoid because of the staring crowd. I tried to get more information from her to make sure she knows her way home. The sun was already setting and the rain shower was no help. I informed the principal that she was still around. A student who knew where she lived was asked to inform Divine’s family so she could be fetched from the academy. I tended her oozing boil. I cleaned, medicated and dressed it to prevent further infection. I realized that the traditional cloth tied around her waist was to cinch her abdomen after birth. She was wearing it for 2 months post-partum! The cloth looked like a fertile breeding place for aerobic and anaerobic creatures alike. I discarded it and made her look a little more human. I could only wish I could make her smell half as bad.

7:00 PM- It was raining hard, she was still with me. My missionary partner, Hersheys, and I invited her to eat dinner with us at the cafeteria. When I told her to pray, she fervently bowed her head, folded her hands and closed her eyes. Her prayer was for a baby to be kept safe wherever he is and be protected from danger and sickness. I guess she did pray for her lost son. Even though she forgot to pray for the food, she never did forgot how it felt like to be a mother, always praying for the baby she held in her arms but for a moment.

9:00 PM-I was feeling really sleepy, but I couldn’t leave Divine alone. It’s almost 3 kilometers from their place to the academy. In the first place, FAA was situated far from the main road and transportation was never easy. One needs to own a motorcycle, a jeep, or in the least a carabao to get to the campus. The question of how she got here and who led her could only be answered by eternity. Meeting her never occurred to me, but God has a better Idea. That’s for sure.

We waited for the principal to come back from a meeting so we would know what to do. While waiting for the next move, we sang songs. I was amazed of how she could carry a tune even if the lyrics are merely neologisms. She told me her favorite song and sang quite well. Her eye to eye contact at this time was improving and I don’t need to reorient her moment by moment. I also saw a tear drop while someone sang a love song. I know “why” questions are untherapeutic but I couldn’t help but ask. She replied, “lungkot ako…(I’m sad)”. This led me to a greater understanding that even mentally ill people can generate feelings. They might not be able to comprehend but they are humane after all. I could only pray to God to ease her pain. She also verbalized she needed a friend. I made a silent promise to myself that while I am here, I will be the friend she needs. It’s not everyday that someone could actually build a bond with a person who created a world in her mind.

“What is my name?”

“Roxanne!” She replied in a childish voice.

“What is your name?”

“Divine!”

…and my favorite part of our simple drill was her saying:

“Roxanne and Divine..FRIENDS!” with two fingers brought close to each other, intertwined.:)

It’s now past 10:00 PM- her relatives won’t come to fetch her. It was decided that kuya Tom,who will drive the motorcycle, and I would bring Divine home. The rain never stopped pouring. While the motorcycle was being prepared, She combed my hair with her fingers( She washed her hands this time, I made sure of that ^_^),killed the mosquitoes and insects that would touch my skin, and gently held my hand like they were the nicest pair she’d ever seen. I instructed her of the things she must do after she got home like to take a bath, change her clothes and brush her teeth.  She nodded and repeated every instruction I gave her the same way I stated them. She was way way better than the first time I talked to her under the mango tree.

Divine closed her eyes when I invited her to pray for the last time. I offered a sincere prayer for her healing, peace of mind and recovery. When I opened my eyes, she smiled at me and said…”Alam mo ate, and ganda mo talaga…(You know sister, you are really beautiful)”. It was the purest and most unadulterated compliment I have ever received in my life. I believed her deeply in my soul and thank God for it was not me working. I am selfish in nature, tarnished with sin and only God can let beauty and love permeate from the heart.

On the way to her home, of which we have no specific idea where, I sang songs of Jesus’ love hoping that it could get through her in one way or another. She would just listen to me, sometimes glance back and smile, more often sing along with her make believe lyrics. Have I told you she held on to my hands like she was afraid that I’d fall off from the motorcycle?. She cared for me. I felt it. That was the only proof I need to know to say that she is not a hopeless case.

We stopped by a store to ask for directions when a man buying whiskey interrupted our conversation and volunteered to bring her home. He was in fact Divine’s brother-in- law who at the right moment walked the distance from their home to be there when we needed the directions. Our problem of finding their house was no problem at all. Divine was being searched for the whole day by her family but they never thought that she could reach as far as the academy. Her brother-in-law thanked us profusely and led her home with an umbrella over her head to keep the rain from soaking her even more. While walking away, her eyes lingered on my direction for far too long.

          When I asked God to show me a lesson, He didn’t let a book fall upon me so I could read about it. Instead, He made his very creation walk and peek through my window with a red hibiscus on her hands.

          When I was feeling lonely and homesick, He sent me someone to comb my hair with her fingers which is one thing I miss about my mother.

          When I thought less of myself and felt like I’m not doing what I ought to do as a nurse, God reminded me that nursing is in the heart not in the hospital.

          When I complained about the things I don’t have, He made me realize that I have my sanity.

           When I felt I’m non-existent and so unsure, He sent someone who thinks my hands were perfect and that I am beautiful.

          When I sing with inhibition and complain about the talents I should have had, God introduced to me dancing in the rain and the joy of singing with mismatched lyrics.

          When the paranoia of Malaria kept on bugging me, the works of His hand came to remind me that He cares to kill every mosquito or insect that could hurt me.

          When I am in doubt of why He placed me in this strange place too far from the comforts I’m used to, He lead someone to walk a little more than 3 kilometers to remind me that I am needed here to treat boils and sores, provide comfort and listening ears, and even teach a poor soul how to brush her teeth.

          When I wonder how miracles happen, He showed me through a “Divine” encounter with an angel.

“ Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”Mark 10:14,15

By Roxanne C. Rabino, BSN, RN

Missionary Nurse, Taytay, Palawan

I am always amused with the innocence of little children. They ask the strangest questions, disarm cold hearts with candid laughters and render forgiveness more than what the bible asks. Sometimes I wish I could be child-like again.

Faith Adventist Academy will be my new home for a year. When I asked God to send me to a place I’m needed, I never expected that He’d send me to a mission school to be a school nurse and so much more. In here, I was older than most of the population. I am ma’am Roxanne to the students. It sounded strange to me at first, but I guess I’ll get used to the courtesy. One week into my stay, I joined the homeroom devotional of the fist year students. We formed a little circle outdoors, under the shade of a tree. God’s presence was felt in our communion with nature. I couldn’t ask for a better background music than the chirping birds and the rushing creek around us. The children sat cross-legged around me, asking me to tell them a story about my life and the place where I came from. While I gladly obliged, some students started picking flowers and placed them on my hair. At that moment, I remembered not missing my own home. I greatly appreciated their way of telling me I’m welcome and it made coping in a new place way easier for me. I hoped I didn’t resemble a flower vase with my hair packed with yellow belles and hibiscus blooms.

I wondered why God wanted us to be like little children. He answered my question by letting me experience their trust, gestures of love and sweet faithfulness. In my youth I have failed to realize that all I needed to do was to sit at His feet and be blessed by His mere presence. In the worries of everyday life, I forgot to take my time and smell the flowers.

God wouldn’t shoo us away or tell us to grow up from our child-like innocence. He loves us to hover over him and listen to His stories exemplified through his handiworks.  I bet He would even appreciate a bouquet of flowers or two. I couldn’t wait for heaven where all that blooms never die and story time with Jesus will last for eternity.

I’ve been here for a month now. I sometimes think of my family, friends and our home and I miss them terribly, but a secret keeps me going. It is the occasional love letters from the children and the every so often yellow and red flowers tucked in my hair.

By Stephen Jan Vincent Isidro, BSN, RN 

Missionary Nurse, Aborlan Project

According to the Merriam-Wesbter Dictionary, self control is a restraint exercised over one’s own impulses, emotions, or desires.

It’s already our fourth month here in Palawan and we’re already in our project site. We encountered a lot of challenging obstacles that made us more mature and competent. As days passed by, I discovered a lot of things and met a lot of people with different personalities that changed my point of view in life. I learned that in order for a missionary to survive, he or shee needs to equip himself or herself with a lot of self control, because in the field there are a lot of temptations and obstacles.

One of my experiences regarding self-control was when we had a girl patient with a wound on her right thumb. We managed to gather some information regarding her wound, and we learned that it was caused by an improvised home-made gun.  We managed to clean the wound, but the parents refused to bring their daughter to the hospital. Bone dislocation was prominent on her right thumb. We told them of the possible complications, but again, they refused. I was so mad that I want to slap their faces of how irresponsible and heartless they were on bringing their daughter to the hospital. But all I did was to control my temper and pray to God to give me a dozen of self-control. After that incident I realized that if I did not control my temper then I will add more damage to the problem and it will affect my standing in the community thus affecting my duty as a missionary nurse.

The Psalmist ones said, “Set us watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. Incline not my heart to any evil things.” Psalm 141:3-4

Thank you Lord for the guidance and for granting me a lot of self control in times of temptation, Amen….

By Charles Vincent Rosales RN

Missionary Nurse, Sagpangan, Aborlan Project

All peole will hate you because you follow me, but these people who keep their faith until the end will be saved Matt: 10:22

One morning as I was helping Ma’am Romy on watering the plants she gave me a piece of precaution. She said “Do not go on that area! There are some bees there and you might hurt yourself when they get distracted.” So I took her piece of advice but when I observed that almost all the area had been watered except to that area where Ma’am Romy prohibits, I took the risk of finishing the work on that area surprisingly while watering the plants I  felt that something has sting on my elbow ,pretending that there is nothing happened I ignore the pain and finished the job. After all the work is done I ask for my fellow missionary to help me managed my sting bite and we apply a charcoal poultice on it.

Worship time is ready and each of us shared their experiences. Ma’am Romy knew what happened to me and asked how my experienced was. Well honestly I’ve told them what I’ve learned, what do you think? Maybe you will tell me that I must learn to obey and follow some precautions that have been given. Sort of, I am expecting that. But what really is the lesson that I get to that experienced?

There will be a time that we, not just for a missionary but also as a Christian waiting for Christ return will experienced people who will sometimes sting us. Some will discourage our faith and tested our relationship with God. But this only implies how confident we are with God. Our key text tells us “all people will hate you because you follow Me, but those people who keep their faith until the end will be saved. If happened that we encounter some people that are said to the passages, whether it’s in the field or anywhere we go, quit worrying and do not be afraid. The Lord has reminded us “be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble…. For the Lord you God is the one who goes with you Deut 31: 6”

The water symbolizes the good news that we have right now and this water right now is in our hands, so the choices is ours and  as a nurse in this specific ministry for health this challenged have a great impact into our lives.

How is the bee sting in your life? Trust God because for every good and bad thing, God has an amazing plan not just for me but also for you because He loves you.

For the first time, 407 residents of Barangay Capuluan Tulon in Guinayangan, Quezon Province benefited from the Php 288,050 worth of free medical dental and surgical services led by the 15-member health care team of the Global Ministries of Missionary Nurses and the Health Department of the North Philippine Union Conference of the Seventh Day Adventists, April 18, 2011.

“The one-day medical mission was of great help to the whole members of the barangay,” said Hon. Angelina P. Peñero, barangay captain of the Capuluan Tulon. She added that the whole barangay residents are happy that they were able to receive the free health care services for the first time.

Barangay Kagawad Reymonda M. Cueto, head of the committee on health said, “We would like to thank GMMN and the Health Department of the NPUC for their unselfish vocation of extending to us the free medical services.”

The said medical mission was a joint-effort of e GMMN and the NPUC Health Department as part of their program in providing easy access to consultations, dental check-ups and extractions, circumcision, and removal of cysts.

There were 220 patients consulted, 117 dental patients, 60 underwent circumcision, and 10 minor surgeries.  Included in the patients who were circumcised was a grandfather aged around 70, who rushed himself inside the makeshift minor surgery room to avail the free service.

Following day after the medical mission, seven boys were circumcised completing the 60 recorded circumcisions.

The health care team also experienced an emergency scenario when a 17-year-old lass was brought inside the barangay hall, unconscious, reportedly due to the ingestion of Zonrox. Appropriate managements were given and the patient eventually recovered.

Present in the medical mission were Dr. Lhalaine C. Alfanoso, health director of the NPUC, Asahel D. Catap, vice president and operations officer of the GMMN, doctors and nurses coming from different fields of practices.

“This is event is not possible without the help and cooperation of everyone, especially the doctors and nurses who have helped in this event. We would like also to express our gratitude to the Deprtment of Health, Natrapharm, PHAPCares Foundation, AB Liner, Adrian Cueto and family, and many other sponsors and donors. Above all, to God Almighty from whom all blessings flow,” said Harthwell Capistrano, president/chief executive officer of the GMMN.

The 8-hour long drive transfer from Pasay City to the Barangay Capuluan Tulon was made possible through the efforts of Sangguniang Bayan Members Prudencio A. De Luna and Cesar J. Isaac III.

“We hope to extend more free health care services nationwide through the help and cooperation of our project partners and LGUs,” Capistrano added.

]]> http://missionarynurses.com/2011/04/24/407-residents-receive-free-health-care-services/feed/ 0 14.550000 121.000000 14.550000 121.000000 med mission_web_quezon Global Ministries of Missionary Nurses med mission_web_quezon http://missionarynurses.com/2011/01/25/moving-forward-in-2011/ http://missionarynurses.com/2011/01/25/moving-forward-in-2011/#comments Tue, 25 Jan 2011 01:55:27 +0000 Global Ministries of Missionary Nurses http://missionarynurses.com/?p=376 ]]> Getting away from their comfort zones and living in the community far away from their own families are some of the tough realities the three young nurses have been facing with. Realizing the great need to help the needy, sick and the poor, they let go of the plans in going abroad.  It is a real sacrifice for others—no riches to gain, nor fame nor honor; but a humble experience worth cherish for a lifetime because lives have been saved, more and more each day.

Jerrani Abando, Jaspere John Delos Reyes and Efraim Ninalga are the three nurses who answered to this great need. Jerrani and Efraim are from La Union and Jaspere John is from Cavite. The three nurses are serving mostly Tagbanwas, Palawanos and local residents in their work place.

Mission Field Project is a healthcare program of the Global Ministries of Missionary Nurses Inc. that started in Palawan, Philippines. It helped more than 9,000 individuals through its support services in project partner hospital, rural health nursing, medical mission, and among other activities.

Currently, the project site is located in Barangay Sagpangan, Aborlan, Republic of the Philippines, with three full time nurses working in the community and project partner hospital.

GMMN is a non-stock, non-profit organization that is committed in helping people in rural and remote areas creating hope and empowering lives, founded in December 2008. It started to operate thereafter, and formally registered at the Securities and Exchange Commission in January 12, 2010 and in Bureau of Internal Revenue in May 7, 2010.

It all started through friendship online with common interests and goals in life. Now, GMMN is a full pledged organization and is very thankful of the help and support of different people around the world, above all, to God Almighty for the life and the calling to serve.

This 2011, Mission Field is mulling to open more project sites in Palawan. More likely will be in Taytay, Roxas, Brooke’s Point and Quezon, depending on the responses of the respective local government units. Two nurses will work in every site for at least one year, and the host municipality will take charge of the food subsidy and accommodation of our nurses.

These nurses are doing check-ups, health promotions, referrals, assistance through immunizations with the rural health units, first aids, emergency managements, community trainings, and among others.

GMMN is looking forward increasing the scope of its services and programs to serve more and more poor individuals and families. And this is only possible because of your help and cooperation.

For more inquires, contact Asahel D. Catap, operations officer, asahelcatap@missionarynurses.com, or Jaspere John Delos Reyes, project coordinator, jjd@missionarnurses.com.

The Blog-Health-o-Meter™ reads This blog is doing awesome!.

Crunchy numbers

A Boeing 747-400 passenger jet can hold 416 passengers. This blog was viewed about 3,400 times in 2010. That’s about 8 full 747s.

In 2010, there were 10 new posts, not bad for the first year! There were 53 pictures uploaded, taking up a total of 18mb. That’s about 1 pictures per week.

The busiest day of the year was May 26th with 53 views. The most popular post that day was Volunteer Requirements.

Where did they come from?

The top referring sites in 2010 were facebook.com, missionfinder.org, nursingguide.ph, mail.yahoo.com, and statistics.bestproceed.com.

Some visitors came searching, mostly for global ministries of missionary nurses, missionary nurses, free circucision and medical, missionary nursing, and circumcision by medical resident.

Attractions in 2010

These are the posts and pages that got the most views in 2010.

Volunteer Requirements March 2010
3 comments

MISSION FIELD PROJECT March 2010

ABOUT US March 2010
1 comment

JOIN US! March 2010
12 comments

PROGRAMS March 2010

160 Bajaos were benefited during the Christmas treat of GMMN, CSWD and Bantay Bata 163 last December 21, 2010 at Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Philippines

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, PALAWAN — The rain started drizzling, not long it poured. Still,  GMMN, which celebrates its 2nd annual foundation this month, was on a mission to extend the spirit of love this Christmas season with 110 children and 50 mothers of Badjao tribe in the morning of December 21, 2010.

Dubbed as L.E.T.S Celebrate Christmas Day Camp (Life skills, Environment, Team Work and Sports), the activity was spearheaded by the Global Ministries of Missionary Nurses Inc. with Von Carlo L. Hechanova as team leader, in cooperation with the City Social Welfare Development,  Bantay Bata 163 and a number of volunteers, Amerson Rivera,  Madel Petalcorin, Rean Bridgette Seracarpio, and Mary Andrea Mangga.

The beneficiaries were treated with parlor games, given with gift packs and offered sumptuous meals. All went home loaded with joy and love in their hearts. The event, which was held at the Children’s Park, was successfully launched while the rain was pouring heavily then stopped eventually, leaving all attendees fully satisfied and happy.

GMMN would like to thank its donors and supporters, M.Mangga c/o J.Delos Reyes, E. Juanich, J.Fallurin c/o E.Maranon, R.Salavante, E.Maranon, N.Mauricio, N.de Asis, Mr./Mrs. Consulta, A.Catap, K.Santomin, L.Alingasa, and H. Capistrano in making this event a success.

Last December 2, similar activity was held at Barangay Sagpangan in the municipality of Aborlan with 32 undernourished children, pregnant and post natal mothers were fed as part of GMMN’s community service program.

Founded in December 2008, the Global Ministries of Missionary Nurses Inc. has been extending its help in Palawan and some key areas in the Philippines, offering free health care services in remote and rural areas.