.JPG) |
| Dr. Chris, Sister Oresoa, and Gin Gin at Anawim Home in Gwagwalada, Abuja, Nigeria |
Reflections by Gin Gin Diokno
It is a rare opportunity to be in the same place as Dr. Chris
and Sister Oresoa so when I had the good fortune to do so back in December, it
was definitely an Instagram moment to cherish.
They are two of the most amazing human beings I know. It is very humbling to be in their presence
especially as a witness to God’s work through them.
It all started
in 2009 when I had the opportunity to go on a mission trip through our Church
of the Nativity. For two weeks, we
visited Faith Alive Hospital in Jos, Nigeria and got immersed on the day to day
activities on this facility that provides wholistic health and social services
to HIV/AIDS patients. In 2011, I had the
chance to return but this time to Abuja, and stayed with the orphanage
community of the Anawim Sisters led by Sr Oresoa. We literally slept, prayed, played and ate
with them. We got to be a part of the
lives of the Sisters, the abandoned infants, young boys and girls, the mentally
disabled, young mothers and the men and women they reach out in their
community. Our missions are about
connecting with people and building relationships with these partners. As cliche as it may sound, we missionaries
have received more than what we have given to these trips. For me personally,
the experiences have made me more grateful for the blessings I have received
and continue to receive in my life. With
that gratitude comes a calling to serve even more, not just in mission trips,
but in everyday life.
Fast forward to
fall of 2013 when I had a little bit of margin of time, another opportunity
came across my path. During Dr. Chris’
visit to the US, he invited me to return to Faith Alive and after much thought
and prayer, I decided to volunteer to be part of the medical team. It was a very fulfilling time as they even
welcomed me more like a family member.
As always, the FA community is very loving and hospitable. Between morning devotions, pediatric clinic,
staff meetings, World AIDS Day celebration, visit to outreach sites, Christmas
festivities, getting to know more staff members, sampling Nigerian cuisine,
morning runs around the soccer stadium in spring-like weather, the month flew
by pretty quickly. I felt when I left in 2009, I have become their friend; this
time, I have become a family member. I
have warned them if that’s the case, then I can just drop in any time to
visit. I hope to be given more chances
in the future.
People
sometimes tell me how brave and courageous I am for doing these. Then I get to
witness the work that Dr. Chris and Sr Oresoa have committed their whole lives
to-- talk about faith and courage! To be
a small part of it is a tremendous blessing.
God does not call the equipped; He equips the called-- a quote from our
pastor which I pray I take into heart if and when I get called again. I know
that every single time I have answered, despite my doubts, He has never failed.
