Dr Primavera Galinato
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. -Isaiah 55:8-11 (NIV).
These are God’s words which I have been familiar with even when I was still a pre-believer. These came to reality once again. When God calls, He paves the way. Little did I know that the destiny that the Lord has set out for me and my ex-housemate Mary Ann and the friendship, which developed when I was just starting out in Singapore, would blossom through the years. And the rest is now history.
Thank God for allowing me to experience the entire journey from unbelief to overflowing joy. Medical missions have always been a welcome thing. In fact, the Lord had already prepared my heart to attend trainings through Community Health Evangelism (CHE) just months before Anne started talking to me about God's prompting to her. So I told her, “It must reflect His heart and not just our human desire for activity.” Along the way, I met many hurdles especially in my own personal life, my family and career. I was in the middle of hurdling professional exam requirements as a foreigner in Singapore and troubling anxiety about my father's health condition, but the Lord has always been faithful.
Enjoining a mentor, Dr. Su Min Lim, to impart to my new friends in the medical mission the concept of reaching out to the community in a different way was indeed refreshing. The team building and bonding at Sentosa was unforgettable. However, the real test came on the day of the trip from Singapore to GenSan. My father was already admitted in St Luke's Hospital in Manila. I paid a visit before I headed my way to GenSan. He asked me if I was still going to proceed for the medical mission. I told him that I had to go since no one accepted the invitation to join me as a doctor. Without a word, he allowed me. I struggled whether to leave or stay but in obedience, I proceeded to GenSan. And lo and behold, Dr. Banas, another doctor from Gen San was already starting the preparations. He was really a blessing. I shared with him and his wife my dilemma about my father's condition and they were supportive. We had our joint meeting with the Gen San medical team volunteers and we prayed together. Indeed, when God is in the center, everything falls into place.
The first day of the medical mission was the culmination of all our preparations. The invitation to counseling and prayer in the course of the medical consultation and receiving medications was the highlight of it all. My involvement was made short by the fact that my father's condition deteriorated and was sent to ICU midday of the first day of the medical mission, but the Lord had already prepared everything. Cris and her fiancé, Joseph, who is from GenSan, fully escorted me to get a plane seat back to Manila to be able to attend to my own father. All the while, the medical mission continued and two other doctors replaced my absence. The Lord, breaking my shell of self sufficiency and independence, taught me how to share my burdens to others and allowed total dependence upon Him. My father was already discharged home in Manila and is now slowly recovering. The enemy may strike but God's plans prevail.
To God be the glory!
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. - Ephesians 3:20
