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Medical Mission
ROSA
MYSTICA
August 10-16, 2008
DAY 5: August 14
An immense tide of mercy
They are 4, 6 and even more squeezed in the tiny tricycles arriving
from all horizons.
Some of the sick have left their remote village at 4.00 am this morning. They are young, others elderly supported by relatives, children, many, many children. All have only one desire: to obtain that precious envelope of free medicine which could change their life. But how long will they have to wait before reaching their dream!
Accidents and the world's diseases seem to have called a meeting under this hot and humid August sun.
It is 8.00 am. A lively Good Morning! Maayong Buntag! Swells and opens the waiting crowd: the medical team arrives. Smiles answer smiles. A day of medical cares begins. It will be a long one.
A toddler's facial tumor interrupts for a moment all the consultations and the medical team gather around this little frail being with a tortured look. A volunteer will finally bring the baby and his parents to the hospital and the consultations resume.
Today alone there will be 630 to benefit of free consultations. There were 500 yesterday and 400 the day before.
In the neighboring school, Fr. Daniel Couture is telling the story of the Holy Shroud. 250 vivid looks concentrate on the life-size replica of the relic displayed in front of them. Smart and surprising questions are asked. They are seized. Many of them take from their lunch pocket money a few pesos to buy that souvenir postcard of the Holy Shroud which they will henceforth treasure.
The flow of the sick and of the faithful is in constantly rising.
In four days, the number of medical and religious acts has already exceeded last year's 5 day mission.
What surprise shall tomorrow bring us?
It is 8.00 am, the line builds up.
Not so easy to weight this little baby!
From morning till night the gymnasium never empties.
3000
prescriptions later, the pharmacists are exhausted,
the supply of medicine as well!
One
needs not be a doubting Thomas to want to touch the
Sacred Wounds. My Lord and my God!
More photos to be added as the mission advances....
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