DAANBANTAYAN, Cebu—Medical volunteers from Cebu City provided free healthcare services to over 120 residents of Purok Sinegwelas, Sitio Casia, in Barangay Lanao, Daanbantayan, this morning.
The medical mission included a team of physicians, nurses, and optometry interns, led by Dr. Ruth Ortiz, an optometry professor and former dean at Southwestern University.
Nearly 60 residents received medical and pediatric consultations, while another 64 underwent eye examinations. Service recipients received free medications and supplements, and those diagnosed with refractive errors were provided with reading glasses.
This outreach initiative marked the opening event for a week-long evangelistic series titled “Hope for Every Home,” which runs from May 31 to June 6. The series aims to promote healing for wounded hearts, restoration of relationships, and preparation for the return of Christ within the community.
The campaign is a collaborative effort between the Ministerial Spouses Association of the East Central Philippines and the Central Visayan Conference. The nightly program features speakers Melodie Mae Inapan, the MSA coordinator and women and children’s ministries director for the East Central Philippines Union Conference, and Michelle Nogra, the MSA coordinator and women and children’s ministries director for the Central Visayan Conference.
The Adventist church in Cabancalan, which supports this evangelistic initiative, prays to win souls for Christ through this effort. Their petition is to bring more family members into a small congregation in the area that recently transitioned from a “Born Again” christian fellowship to an official Adventist company.
The choice of this location for the evangelism site was driven by the need to grow this church, which had once thrived with the praises of the previous denomination.
Lay workers Estelito Sarco, Michael Gilbuena, and Solomon Gilbuena, who prepared the community to receive the message, shared a mutual desire to see the church grow. “We believe that the Lord will answer our prayers, and soon we may be recognized as a new church,” they stated.
“I believe it is God’s guidance that brings us here,” Nogra expressed after witnessing the joy of those who availed themselves of the medical services and the cooperation of both church members and local residents.
She admitted that this area was not their initial choice; however, some circumstances led to the change. “I am now convinced that we are being redirected. Sometimes an obstacle is God’s way of revealing His plan.”
She also shared that there were challenges along the way, including the medical mission’s provisions. “The thought of the doctors and the medical team’s availability, plus the prompt provisions of medicines, overwhelmed me with thanksgiving.”
With this unity, cooperation, and God’s intervention, she envisions the church building being filled with new members. Therefore, she calls upon everyone to pray for the working of the Holy Spirit as the evangelistic meeting continues until June 6.
Lyn Lucero ⎸ ECPUC Communication Department