Jakarta: Aug 2012

Day 01:

I joined 8 other for a mission trip to Jakarta today. As usual, I was doing some last-minute packing at 5:30am. Did a final count for the items i wrote down on my checklist, then quickly organised them into my backpack. Departed by bus from Kuantan at 8am. It is only 11am when i reached KL, so I made a short trip to HKL to lunch with Angeline.

Reached LCCT at 3pm. Everyone else have gathered. A quick introduction and we already broke into chatters. Most members of this trip are fresh medical students. Herman and I may need to give them a crash course for the medical clinic later.

It’s 5pm and we hurried for boarding. Herman however, faced some problem and was not allowed onto the plane. Apparently his passport will be expiring in less than 6 month, and we were told that he won’t make it past the immigration check later. In the end, we took off without him. We suggested for him to try join us the next day. Hopefully by then, he could have his problem sorted out already.

Already a small bump on the road. but I believe somehow things are going to be alright. The plane lifted off with a gloomy weather. But soon enough, we are above the clouds, and a silver-lining is shining over the horizon.

04 Aug 2012: Day 03 of mission

Herman managed to join us after resolving his passport issue. It is a bit of relief and a good motivational push for the team. As of yesterday, we manage to treat about 140 patients. Some medication needs to be replenished. (They were supposed to last for 3 days.)

I am rather taken back that in the capital of Indonesia, health-care for the poor is not readily available. People from rundown places could not afford their own medications for chronic illness.

However, despite the hardship, people are being excessively nice. We were treated with ample refreshments and greeted with smiles everywhere. People are warm and thankful.

with the village children

05 Aug 2012: Day 04 of mission

Yesterday we manage to treat another 110 patients in our mobile clinic. I think our team did very well, considering most are still medical students. They are working very hard to learn some new skills and they are eager to help.

Pak Billy is one of the church member who was assigned to help with translation. He is helpful in many ways, especially that he always has a joke to tell, a trick to show, a story to share. To me, he appears to be a street-smart person. He tells many stories of church mission he joined. Those that ventured deep into jungles and remote islands of Indonesia. Yet, I have not heard him speak much of God.

Later that night, Pak Billy treated the whole team to a posh dinner. I think it is partially my fault since i mentioned to him that we would love to try some local food. We were served fine authentic Indonesian cuisine. I thanked God for showing us so much love. I have always learned to serve without expecting any returns. Yet, God keep giving us more. Perhaps He has got bigger plans for us. With His strength, we can give more to others.

As of today, we have a different mission. Our task were to join the church children ministry and help to cheer on the kids. There are at least 300 children from the slump areas around Jakarta. The local church picked them up from straying streets and gave them more. The church people cleans them up, gave them food, helped their family, educate them and teach them the word of God. I can see the sparkle in their eyes. They now have a purpose, a hope.

children from the slump area, cleaned up

I was assigned to usher children from buses and keep them cheerful during assembly. I am not so much a talker, so I worried whether I am good for the task. However, the children are obedient and cheery. Pak Billy were there to help too. Mostly, he is the one who did the heavy lifting. While waiting for the last group of children to arrive, I had a short conversation with Pak Billy. Today, he wore a suit and look rather different. I commented about how pleased I am with what the church had done for the children. And more amazingly, how they have been able to keep the children orderly. Pak Billy answer took me by surprise.
“It is not me. It is God who made this possible”
I think it is the first time he spoke of God to me. But I couldn’t have agreed more. This is God at work.

06 Aug 2012: Day 05 of mission

I am now waiting to board my flight back to Malaysia. Today, the team successfully treated 170+ patients. We also had 2 emergency cases. One involving severe pneumonia with respiratory distress and another with acute myocardial infarction with VF. No fatality has been reported. Thus, I am leaving with a satisfied heart. Actually, the team will continue another 2 days of mission without me. I am sure they will be awesome nonetheless.

# Special Notes:

5pm, 06 Aug 2012 – I am finally reconnected to Internet via airport hot-spot. To my dismay, the 1st news I received has been a terrible one. 2am the same day, there had been a road accident involving my friend Dr.Siew Taat Heng. He did not survive the crash. Siew is a wonderful person. Laughter follows wherever he goes. And now, The Lord had taken him.

A friend wrote on her status that the sky were gloomy in Malaysia. Actually, it started to rain in Jakarta too. I paused in the rain, as I walked toward the plane for boarding. I just wanted to feel the raindrop falling, just as how my tears are falling for my good friend. God, may his soul be resting in Heaven now.