What a Small World!

 I was invited to speak in the Medical Students’ Congress last May 4-5, 2012 in Alta Roca Resort, Antipolo City. About 180 students gathered and were equipped to be the future leaders of our country through the field of medicine and their chosen specialization.

During my talk on Powerful Living, I saw a familiar face among the delegates. My mind was trying to pull different pictures of my past encounters with different individuals in the ministry of CCC, in the local churches I got involved with, relatives or acquaintances. Thank God for reminding me. She’s RJ – a church mate way back my Iloilo days, and part of our youth ministry. I remember, before I went to the congress, a fellow missionary requested me to see her friend who is also attending the said congress. And that friend is RJ. Another co-missionary asked me to meet two of her disciples in Ateneo who are also part of the congress. I was asking some individuals if they know John and Kat but I didn’t see them until I was on my way to the exit gate of the venue as I headed my way home after my two talks for two days.

As I had mingled with a number of students about their vision, choice of taking Medicine and direction in life, I got excited for the fact that these students have good hearts towards our nation. Some of them would love serve in the less privileged communities. Some would want to work in the government and use some of their time doing Medical Missions, outreaches, educating communities, etc. About 59 of them came from Ateneo de Zaboanga and it’s encouraging to hear their stories and their passion to reach our “cousins.” Another guy named James has just finished Medicine and would like to do his internship back to his own country. We chatted a lot about his interests and his partnership with CCC too. In the course of our discussion, I found out that his girlfriend is a ministry partner of Mark who happened to be my disciple in Iloilo. Mark is now joining as a missionary with us.

I’m glad that I also met a lot of doctors in the congress - doctors who had been partners with Divine and me in the ministry for the past 8 years. Doctors whom, despite of their busy schedule, managed to coordinate this Congress to invest in the lives of the future leaders of our country. Serving this nation is not just by sharing their expertise but also sharing Christ to others. They will not just carry the “steth” daily to make others better but to carry His cross to die to self. They may be known to earn a living, have lots of fame and money but they commit to love the patients as they love Jesus. As doctors, they serve during clinic hours and hospital hours, but as Jesus’ disciples, they serve 24/7. As doctors, they grow through CME but as Christ’s disciple and as doctors, they grow through a lifestyle of discipleship, prayer, bible study, witnessing and fellowship.

I have learned a lot through this congress. I have met a lot of people whom God already planned. It was truly a Divine appointment.

What a wonderful, small world! Isn’t it?