Anna Liza Ferrer

The Unexpected Medical Mission

By Anna Liza Ferrer

It started out when I came here to Singapore to find a job. Mary Ann, our life group leader,  was organizing an event. Without me knowing what I was getting myself into, I signed-up. I stepped out in faith that I would be having a job here in Singapore. True enough, God gave me one. I thought everything was going to be ok that time because I was able to secure a job. But I was wrong because the enemy was making ways to stop me. I did not have a sufficient money to book a ticket so I informed Ate Mae and texted a friend about my situation. That night, I prayed to God that if He wanted me to go for the medical mission, He would make a way and I would not need to worry. The next morning, I received a response from my friend telling me that she would lend me money to book a ticket and that I could return it anytime. The problem was solved immediately so I was so happy that day. Little did I know that my leave was not yet approved because they said that no one would handle my workload if they would allow me to. It did not affect me that much because I already lifted it all to God. Thus, I was so amazed when I knew that they got an intern to help them out in my absence and so my leave was approved. He taught me not to worry but to be obedient and trust Him in all circumstances. 

On the first day of the medical mission, we were briefed that we would be serving four communities or barangay and that each barangay is composed of 100-200 people. We grouped them into three and I volunteered to join Kids group because I am personally smitten with kids’ innocence – their smiles, their thoughts and out of the blue questions. Our first assignment was in Barangay Bawing – we were informed that most of the people there are Muslims and that we have to be careful of bluntly saying the name of Jesus because they might not accept it or it might not turn out into good and so on and so forth. Hence, we prayed to God for guidance and protection.

The mission has finally begun. As a head start, we introduced ourselves and asked volunteers to give a warm up activity. We had two kids who sung a song. I didn’t exactly know the lyrics as it was the first time I heard it. However, hearing the part of the lyrics that goes “Sa puso ko Hesus, Ikaw ang una (In my heart Jesus, You are the first)” really etched my heart and opened the doors for us. I was teary eyed back then. My fellow volunteers looked at each other and happiness could be seen on their faces. We were overjoyed. God sent us angels through them saying ‘Fear not, because God is with you.’ Everything went on smoothly not until the second day. Dr. Prima received an emergency call that her father was in ICU and with that she decided to head back home. Struck by anxiety, I asked God once again, “How will we be able to serve two more communities with only one doctor? Why is Mary Ann not doing anything? Are we going to continue or not?” To cut the story short, God replaced Dr. Prima with two doctors and my questions were all answered. The Medical mission ended up successfully! What a living testimony. God really works in mysterious ways and although our human capacity is to believe in what our eyes can see, God is teaching me to just obey. Though I may not see it, God works beyond measures.

I thank God for the support of Victory Gen San family for making our lives easier as we struggled with the language barriers (Ilonggo & Bisaya). I am grateful for meeting spectacular new friends from Singapore & Gen San. I am thankful to Mary Ann for inviting me to be a part of this mission. If not for her, I would not be able to witness enormous testimonies. I am pleased with the people from the four communities. I hope and pray that God will cause the seed we have planted to bear much fruit in the future.