Silang Wala sa Mapa

There was a woman afflicted with hemorrhages for twelve years. She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors and had spent all that she had. Yet she was not helped but only grew worse. She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak. She said, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured.” Immediately her flow of blood dried up. She felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who has touched my clothes?” (Mark 5: 21-30)

This documentary shows the reality of life. There really are people who are, in lots of ways, not reached by civilization. It's like they're stuck in the dark ages.. They mainly depend on farming and other simple methods of livelihood. They don't have a proper bathroom, not much healthy food to eat - they basically eat root crops (kamoteng kahoy) everyday and every meal. They're even more of a vegetarian than i am! They have no schools, no hospital, no movie houses, no internet connection. Even if i had to scrap out all wants, they don't even have everything they need.

But the story doesn't stop there. Servanthood saves the day! Dr. Roel Cagape, a volunteer doctor for 25 years in a remote area in Sarangani, together with his team of volunteers, are frequently visiting some of the remote areas and they give medicines and medical assistance for free. And just so you know, it's not the typical medical mission activities that are seen in cities. Because included in their mission are to climb steep mountains and cross lots of rivers to get to these remote areas. And they've been doing these lots of times already.

The sight of these people were heartbreaking. They may have been the "overlooked" part of the society, and i doubt if they could even vote during elections. They cannot taste the luxury of a steady house and the beauty of going to a credible school. But more than that sadness, it didn't quite strike me as much as hope. i was specially touched by how volunteers would even be willing to leave a life of luxury just to reach out to them. Many doctors may choose to serve in comfortable areas, maybe lots may even desire to work abroad. But doctor Roel chose the harder path to serve people whom he could practically not benefit anything from.

Lots of us have ideas, but only very few of us do something. i salute you doctor Roel and the other volunteers. May God protect you in all your missions. And may you touch more and more people to leave lives of comfort. i hope we can all be more like Jesus as we seek not a life of comfort but a life of love, compassion and generosity. :)