Health Clinic Helpers

Due to the requirement for business owners to undergo drug testing to renew their business permit, the Bontoc Regional Health Unit has been busier than usual. This means that we have been holding our weekly health clinic in the ambulance garage. Although it is noisier being closer to the street, our elderly patients don't need to climb stairs to reach us.

The Bontoc Regional Health Unit

Whether upstairs or down, we appreciate the opportunity we have to talk with our patients. Most of them are regulars who come nearly every week. In 2011, our total attendance was 1,333.

Patient patients awaiting their turn

On each of the first two Fridays of January, we hosted a family from the YWAM Baguio Family Discipleship Training School. They are currently on outreach in Sagada, about an hour from Bontoc. They assisted us with our health clinic and then spent the day with us. These are the same two families we spent Christmas at the beach with.

Lisa showing Miriam how to test glucose, while two of our regular patients, Esther and Dunstan, wait for the results

Thomas and Oliver checking Ines's blood pressure with Oliver's children, Jana and Silas, in the background

After health clinic was over, we had the privilege of being hosts and tour guides around Bontoc. The first stop was always the Bontoc Museum. The Swedish family has three daughters and a son with ages close to our girls.

Annalise, Joshua, Elsalie, Hanna, Alayna, Alexie, and Miriam

After the museum we would enjoy lunch together. One week, the staff of YWAM Mountain Province and some of our SSM students were able to gather for a meal at our ministry center. Whether at our base or at a restaurant, we enjoyed sharing a meal together.

YWAM Mountain Province with Johan and Eva's family

After lunch we would show them around our neighborhood in Bontoc. With the rice fields near harvest, it is a beautiful walk along the walls dividing them.

Our girls showing Jana and Silas through the neighborhood

While the kids played at the plaza, we went to the Bontoc Starbucks (not really Starbucks but I am told the native coffee they brew is delicious). In keeping with local tradition, our merienda (snack) included pancakes. We had such a nice time visiting with our guests that both weeks we needed to make a dash to the jeepney so they could return to Sagada.

Johan, Miriam, and Hanna ready for the trip to Sagada

Oliver and Katja - See Ya Later!

One of the fun things about being with YWAM is getting to know people from every tribe, tongue, and nation. Who would have expected an American family to share pancakes in the mountains of the Philippines with a Swedish and a German family?