2015 Adventures in Medical Missionary Work - Part 4

Ten Talents

It's cooking! A skill to be mastered for the Master.

I knew how to cook before but it's not a matter of knowing than what kind of cooking do I know. It was quite a short journey 'cause I have been convicted of the revealed truths on healthy eating and living, I purposed in my heart to shift to an ideal diet, and had the willingness to learn how to cook the healthy way. 

When I trained during the very first batch of PAFCOE (Philippine Amazing Facts Center of Evangelism), I didn't struggle so much with the vegan food that was served as much as others did. Though temptations outside the corners of the training site were so appealing, I have to learn how to resist. I believe this is the key ---  thinking to have 'conscientious scruples' over eating what is not good for God's temple and saying NO. From then, I loved eating for God's glory and I earned the promised benefits.

Came the third batch of PAFCOE training in my own church, Manila Center. I and like-a-brother to me, EJ, was assigned to be the kitchen staff. He being the chef and I, the assistant. He came from a family of 'cooks' and it was a blessing to be learning so much about cooking from him. This is what I called God's pre-arranged preparation. What for and where, that I don't have any hint yet. But I trusted that He was preparing me for something.

After the three months of observation and hands-on training in the kitchen, the answer to my questions transpired. Where? He sent me to several mission fields, both locally and overseas. For What? To teach people how to cook so they can eat healthy and live healthy. Everything made sense to me. God is undeniably a God of Health.

Let me share some of my adventures in cooking combined with doing gospel ministries.

Cooking 'Creamy Ube' during 8th evangelistic meeting

Cooking 'Squash Maja' during 9th (most recent) evangelistic meeting

At Kimilili, Kenya: Teaching the mothers how to cook 'bila mafuta' or without oil

Cooking demonstration at Eldoret, Kenya

"The blessing of the Lord will rest upon those who learn to prepare healthful foods in a simple manner, and who teach others how to cook healthfully."  {13MR 389.2}

I Praise God for the blessing of wisdom in cooking and being able to teach it.

Now it's time to share my last stop for 2015, continuing to experience a part of medical missionary work. 

Healthy MVC 30-Day Challenge

It was in Mountain View College, Valencia City. Here was held the challenge, with the poster that you have seen at the top of this page.

The invitation to be one of the cooks was from a friend and I didn't hesitate to respond positively for I knew that it was God's call and His will. The mission field was vast, the burden was great, and the subjects were enough to be introduced with healthy eating and the rest of healthy lifestyle. There were 20 students with and without medical condition who accepted the challenge for want to be challenged, to loose weight, and to be healthy, just to cite a few.

It was at the school's clinic that the kitchen was set-up. The labor room had become a literal one where we prepared and cooked the meals. Next to it was the delivery room which served as the dining area. And the male ward was where the foods were stocked. Can you imagine the clinic smelling food and not medicine or it's usual smell, as you know? The aroma was inviting! "By the smell, you shall taste the food!" By the way, this is a principle that I had to practice when I was cooking there --- tasting the food with your nose. We Praise God that because of this, workers in the clinic and passers-by visited us in the kitchen and came to see what we were cooking and how we cook it. Then it was God's appointed time to share!

The students underwent the NEWSTART Program. As part of it, they had group worships in the morning, were given health lectures, harvested fresh vegetables in the garden for their raw food, walked and played volleyball together, learned temperance over eating unobjectionable foods, and a lot more.

At first, some had struggles because they have been accustomed to eating oily and exitotoxin-added foods. But God changed their tastebuds and soon they appreciated the meals, got used to it, and experienced the difference. Now, the ball is in their courts!

It is a religious duty for those who cook to learn how to prepare healthful food in different ways, so that it may be eaten with enjoyment... {1T 682.1}

Praise God for the students enjoyed the meals! Not just them but the friends that they have invited to eat with them. It was also our pleasure to receive guests and eat with us like some school cafeteria and administration personnel, school teachers, retired school teachers, different ministry leaders of the campus, working students, friends from outside the campus, pastors, and even the school president and his wife --- they too enjoyed and we were inspired by their encouragements to go on with the ministry!

These were some of the precious moments that we had --- eating under the pines on Sabbaths and and learning and bonding in nature.

And I must not forget, the sweetness of their gratitude. It was so touching to hear them offer a song as a way of saying thanks to God and to whom He used as vessels in feeding them with healthy and palatable food. 

This song of the students who are members of Advent Philomels and a member of Sons and Daughters (famous singing groups in the campus) really moved me. We Praise God for blessing them through us!

Some students preparing for the culmination with minimal supervision

The students did not merely eat. We also gave them the chance to freely help depending on their availability. Some were able to help in baking, preparing the ingredients, cooking a particular meal, mixing batters, and more. Praise God for the joy of working together in the kitchen!

On the last day of the challenge - God helped them survive!

What made this mission amazing is how God provided for means that we did not run short; how He sustained the supply of food, even flooded, until the end of the program; how He moved faculties around the campus to see the great need of this ministry and supported the cause, even the President; how He inspired some campus workers and friends to share their organic fruits, vegetables, and crops that's why we had the safest foods; how He let us see and hear His interventions in the lives of the students; how He made us realize that it takes one step of faith to start His will, continue in prayer, and He will take charge of His work.

I mentioned about God's interventions in the lives of the students. Let me share some...

One who had a brain surgery was greatly blessed with the meals prepared, stunned that vegan food can be so delicious, started to learn cooking, felt healthy than before, and now he has decided to be a vegetarian.

One wanted to lose weight, as others do, yet she didn't lose as much; but she has excelled in class. She told me she became the topnotcher in their exam.

One is a son of a pastor and had also a passion in cooking. He joined late into the program cause of constipation. The next day after eating the prepared meals, his bowel movement improved and passed motion thrice.

One is working in the campus' radio station. He was 82 kilos when he enrolled in the program but couple of days later, he lost 6 kilos. He was determined to continue the diet, as much as possible.

One said that because of the program, they (students in lower class as she supposed) had become close friends with students in the higher class who joined the program.

Couple of them said that they want to continue eating healthy and living healthfully. With that, they desired to learn how to cook. So, they asked me for the recipes.

Granting their request, I compiled the recipes and shared it with them. Some of them have already followed it in their homes during the December break and they learned and enjoyed! You can check and try it, too. You have my permission to download it here. Learn the only secret in cooking as you go through it, enjoy, experiment, may God bless your efforts, and His heavenly agencies be your aid. 

God has superbly bless the work that was done. We Praise Him for the changes in the students physical, mental and spiritual well-being; for the decisions that they made for their own development, for their example and influence to those around them, and for God's glory; for breaking barriers; for lessons learned and character-building experiences; for His provisions and answered prayers; and for giving opportunity for the health message to be proclaimed through healthy eating, healthy lifestyle, and healthy cooking.

May the seeds that has been planted will grow and His work will prosper at Mountain View College. We trust that God who had been in control, will be, and will always be.

May MVC truly SHINE ON UNTIL JESUS COMES!