Our main quest is the work that we're doing for One Body Village. However, every now and then we get a request or receive an opportunity to join in what the RPG world might call a "side quest."
Our first side quest was to learn about and report on the Mai Am Phan Sinh Francis Shelter. Since then, two new side quests popped up: Delivering toys to an orphanage in central Vietnam, and joining a week-long mission trip to Tacloban, Philippines. The latter of the two was solidified a few days ago when we purchased our flights to Manila.
Details of this mission trip to Tacloban are still developing as I'm writing this post. Here's what I know so far.
A month ago, Father Martino from One Body Village talked to a fellow priest, Father Tam/Anthony, about the work that Thuy and I have been doing with OBV, and specifically referenced Thuy's expertise as a doctor.
Fr. Martino has repeatedly told us that while he wants us to work for OBV, he also doesn't want to deny other priests and organizations the chance to use our skills when the opportunity arises. Thus, he invited Thuy and Fr. Tam to connect, as Fr. Tam was organizing a medical mission to help the people of the city of Tacloban. These people are still reeling from the typhoon (Yolanda/Haiyan) that absolutely leveled their city back in November of 2013.
After a few emails between Fr. Anthony and Thuy, Thuy explained to me the opportunity, and we quickly agreed to join in the mission. Since our Airbnb rentals have been going well, we have the extra funds to spend on participating in this very unique chance to make a difference in the lives of others.
Thuy will be a doctor (natch), and I Fr. Anthony and I have agreed that I will be the photographer and documentarian. We'll take on other duties as they are assigned, as I'm sure there will be plenty of do based on the emails we've received. Hopefully I can put some of my day-of execution management skills to use.
Here's the first 'call for missionaries' email that was sent out to friends and family of Fr. Anthony's church and community.
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Dear friends,
I am organizing a medical mission trip to help the Filipinos at Tacloban, who suffered from Haiyan hurricane. As you know from the media, there are still about one million people homeless, hundreds of thousand homes destroyed and many are still suffering. It will take the city at least 5 years and billions of dollars to recover. From a Filipino friend, Dr. Salazar, there are still thousands of dead bodies unburied, still lining along the streets of Tacloban.
Our medical mission trip will be from Friday 2/21 to Sunday 3/2/2014.
- Leave Houston Friday morning 2/21, arrive Manila Sat evening 2/22. Overnight in hotel in Manila.
- Leave Manila to Tacloban in Sunday morning (1 hour flight).
- Work Monday- Friday.
- Fly back to Manila on Saturday 3/1.
- Leave Manila to Houston 3/2. Arrive Houston Sunday afternoon.
I will:
- contact the vice-Mayor of Tacloban to arrange for our stay and work in Tacloban.
- arrange for our flights together from Manila -Tacloban - Manila. You can arrange your flight Houston - Manila - Houston as you wish on your airline and dates, or can flight with us.
- arrange hotel overnight in Manila.
- purchase medications from Manila at wholesale price and have them shipped to Tacloban as we arrive.
- There will be Radio Saigon Houston and SGN TV to accompany our team to do daily reports.
- contact US Ambassy in Manila, through the office of Congressman Al Green, to assist us.
- arrange hospital privilege if you want to perform surgery.
I hope you can join us. Please make your plan and block out your schedule asap.
Please forward this email to your medical friends who can help or join us.
Thank you very much.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Lm. Bs. Pham Huu Tam
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Fr. Anthony then sent us an update.
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Dear friends and colleagues,
Thank you very much for your interest to help the suffering people in the Philippines. I want to update everyone on the progress for our Medical Mission Trip.
1. so far, we have about 9-10 medical professionals interested/committed to go: 2 FP, ID, Neuro, Pain, 4 dentists, 1 nurse. Radio and TV anchors for daily report. 5-6 supporting personels. Hopefully, we will have 25-30 people in our delegation.
2. date: from 2/21 to 3/2/2014.
3. Flights:
a/ Flight USA-Manila-USA: leave USA- Manila Friday 2/21; return Manila-USA Sunday 3/2/2014.
b/ Flight Manila-Tacloban-Manila (1 hour): to Tacloban on Sunday morning 2/23; back to Manila Saturday 3/1.
You can flight with the group if you wish. There maybe group discount if we book together. However, you can arrive before, or stay longer afterward, if you wish to explore Manila or Southeast Asia. You just have to be present in Manila in Sat evening 2/22, so we can flight together Manila-Tacloban on Sun morning 2/23.
Mai-Linh will help us booking flights and hotels together. Please provide your personal info to Mai-Linh directly. email: xuanthuyv@yahoo.com
4. In Tacloban: Dr. Salazar, a pulmonologist in Katy, TX, came from Tacloban. He had been back to Tacloban 2 weeks after Haiyan to help the people there. He will arrange our lodging, food, transportation, working place in Tacloban. The Rotary Club and Ausog organization in Tacloban will also help us.
Tinh Trinh and Mai-Linh will work with Dr. Salazar to follow up with those arrangements.
Tinh Trinh: tinhtrinh@wylehou.com
Mai-Linh: xuanthuyv@yahoo.com
Dr. Salazar: salazarmonroy@yahoo.com
5. Small vacation/tour in the Philippines. Mai Linh will organize a short vacation after we finish our work, maybe for 2-3 days, in the Philippines. More info will be posted later. If you are interested, please make plan to stay extra 2-3 days after work.
6. I am attaching the Invitation Letter. Please forward it to your friends whom you think can help/participate with our medical mission.
Thank your very much.
Rev. Dr. Anthony Tam Pham
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I'll share more details as they develop, and I'll be sure to post pics and details as we're on the mission.
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