The Humanitarian series: Reflection on Philippines Part 1

It's the 5-year anniversary since my last disaster relief trip to the Philippines. It has been my dream since I was 16 to do short-term humanitarian trips and began it in my late 20's. Unlike some of my other blog posts, The Humanitarian series will be posts of the realities and experiences of serving others in sometimes the hardest places and situations from the perspective of a young, single female (gender can be significant in global work). Please also note that I have been doing much of my volunteer humanitarian work with faith-based organizations and some of my writings in this series may refer to my faith and spirituality. But i'm here to be real. I hope you enjoy it.

A few months into my post-grad phase, I settled for a part-time job, while the travel seeker in me wondered when I would get my big break in global health. Without much thought, I signed up for a medical missions trip through my church to the Philippines. I started to question what I did and said to my mom,

"Did I do the right thing? After all, the money (~$3,000) could have been used to pay the bills, which is much needed."

She replied, "seek first the kingdom of God, and all these things will be given to you as well" <biblical scripture in Matthew 6:33>. " Who knows, because you chose to put God first in your life, He will give you a full-time job when you come back." (Mark a mother's words of wisdom).

Despite our struggles, our bills were paid and my trip was paid in full. The team's 2-week itinerary involved helping with a food feeding program, conducting medical and dental outreaches to the inner slums of Manila and a 2-day medical/dental outreach in an island in Central Philippines. BUT two weeks before our trip, earthquakes started happening in Central Philippines. Then one week prior to our trip, Typhoon Haiyan/ Yolanda hit. The media deemed it as the strongest tropical cyclone in SE Asia, killing more than 6,000 people with the storm surge. (Video by Ptextmate).

Two days before our trip, our team leader asked us (1 male leader & 7 women) to bring flash lights, non-perishable food to hold us up and a sleeping bag if we have (he confessed post-trip that he didn't know if we have a place to sleep or we are sleeping under the stars).

So there I was 21 hours later, meeting the sunrise. Watching the skyline from my hotel window, I pondered "I am here, back in the Philippines. Do I call this my home or do I see it as a new life or adventure?" I watched the movie CROODS in the plane and the takeaway was don't be afraid; don't hide in the cave. God are you preparing me for something?"

We spent the first day having a culture lesson...making a stop in Jollibee (McDonalds of the Philippines) and the hotel cafe for Filipino breakfast (rice + meat or eggs w/ coffee or tea). Filipinos eat rice 3-4x a day.