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Medical Missions Trip Provides Physical and Spiritual Relief

By October 22, 2014No Comments

Philippines_inlineCHICAGO, Ill.—Residents in the Philippines have received physical and spiritual relief, thanks to Fil-American Baptist Church. Members of Fil-American Baptist took a medical missions trip to the communities surrounding Leyte Baptist Hospital, affiliated with the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism in the Philippines.

Just a few months prior to their trip, Super Typhoon Haiyan hit South East Asia on Nov. 8, 2013, ravaging Tacloban City and the surrounding area, killing tens of thousands, and leaving mass destruction in its wake. Over the course of three days, FABC partnered with New Life Baptist Church in Alangalang, Leyte, Philippines, and local doctors, dentists, nurses, and pharmacists, to give medical aid to over 700 of those affected by the super typhoon who could not afford medical treatment.

Those from FABC who participated in the trip were Pastor Ruel Akut; his wife, Jocelyn Akut, RN; Orlino Savella Sr.; Nidar Savella; Stella Savella, RN; Karen Savella; and Dr. Ruth Cabrera.

The team offered free consultations with doctors, dental work, minor surgery, and medication to the hundreds of people who showed up each day at the local high school. “Many traveled far distances, spending hours walking from surrounding provinces to come and be seen,” says Stella Savella. In addition to providing medical treatment, the team shared the gospel with every person, speaking in Waray, the dialect spoken in much of southern Leyte and Tacloban City; 310 professed to receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Stella says, “Praise the Lord for the fruitful ministry that is growing and thriving in the face of great hardship in Tacloban City, and for New Life Baptist Church, that has been so faithful in serving the Lord and spreading the gospel.” Fil-American Baptist Church and New Life Baptist Church will host another medical missions outreach in the summer of 2015, Stella notes, adding, “We appreciate your prayers for this growing ministry and for those still suffering from the effects of Typhoon Haiyan.”