The OBI physicians, dentists, optometrists and other volunteers braved punishing working conditions to give the best possible medical care to over 7,000 sick and desperately needy Cambodians, mostly orphans and AIDS patients. According to Dr. Pascual, “It was a mobile mission where we had to travel [through rough roads and very hot weather] for hours, there were no facilities, and at times the clinic was held under the trees. But there was no complaint heard and everyone served with a joyful heart.”

The need was indeed great and the volunteers could not help but feel their heart go out to the people. “Our first week was spent working in the orphanages, and almost all the children in all these places needed a dentist…People outside the orphanages were afraid of having their teeth pulled out for fear that something might go wrong with their eyes. It’s a pity that they still have this idea…They are so way behind because of their history,” remarked volunteer Filipino dentist Nanette Valle.
It was a mission that taught everyone a lot about compassion, service and God’s power. For Filipino physician John Marcel Tabije, the mission provided an opportunity for him to see firsthand a miracle from the Lord’s healing hand.

In one of the clinic sites, Dr. Tabije had a 54-year-old male patient who was brought in by his wife and brother-in-law on a motorcycle. Based on his most recent medical history, the patient had been suffering from body pain, knee pain and on-and-off cough for five months already. A month before the medical mission, the patient’s condition had worsened and he became totally bedridden.

When they brought the patient to the mission site, he was seated on the motorcycle with his legs together facing one side. The patient’s feet were shaking. Through an interpreter, Dr. Tabije asked the man’s wife and brother-in-law if he could pray for the patient. The request made the two angry, causing them to make faces and distance themselves from the doctor.

Undaunted, Dr. Tabije told the interpreter to ask the patient himself. He recounts, “I was very glad when the patient agreed. So while my interpreter and a local counselor were praying for the patient, I was asking God, ‘God, come on, show me now! I want to witness it! Please!’ Then I was quoting Acts 3:6—‘Silver and gold I have none, but such as I have give I thee. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.’”

After that prayer, Dr. Tabije asked that the patient be helped up to his feet. But they were still shaking and the patient’s loved ones were still angry. “I was asking God, ‘God, show me, show them Your greatness and Your power to heal,’” Dr. Tabije added.
A second time the man was helped to his feet. This time, the moment his feet touched the ground, they stopped shaking. Gradually, he was able to stand and walk with very little support. The man was led to a house some four to five meters away where he was prayed over some more. Forty-five minutes later, he was led back to Dr. Tabije, still walking on his own.

Dr. Tabije turned to the man’s wife and asked, “So now do you believe in Jesus Christ?” She joyfully answered, “Yes!”
For that couple and for thousands of other Cambodians, a taste of new life and healing had come to the land of death and destruction. Thanks to God’s mercy and compassion expressed through that mission of Operation Blessing.