Beyond prosperity and natural beauty lies a people in need. Walk away from the town proper, restaurants, picturesque harbor and you will be amazed. Down rocky dirt roads, across rickety bridges, up steep hills, we travel to disciple to the lost.
Our main ministry here will be building at the GK or Gawad Kalinga site. This is a location given to ICM by the Fillipino government to build 10 x 10 duplex houses for the locals. The homes are made of brick, cement and stucco. We will be assisting in the build of 2 duplexes that will eventually be homes for four different families. Think of it as the Filippino version of Habitat for Humanity. Participants must apply for housing, be approved by a social worker, and put in almost 1000 hours of sweat equity in order to be allowed to move in. This means that they must build their home AND their neighbor’s. Community here takes on a whole new meaning. Everybody helps from the three year olds on up.
Yesterday we traveled with ICM’s nurse, Annabelle, to see special medical cases. Her patients were in remote places. We found our first patient after driving an hour in tricycle, walking about 15 minutes over a series of planks, that were laid over flooded ground. A young man was in a motor vehicle accident 3 years ago, leaving his leg in a fozen position due to lack of aftercare. He was blessed enough to have surgery in order to save his leg. however, what use is saving a leg if it will no longer be functional. As somebody who has studied the human body extensively, it bothers me to know his recovery could have been quick and painless, but since he was not treated properly afterwards, he will spend the rest of his days disabled.
