| In
partnership with The 700 Club Counseling Center, Operation
Blessing launched a different kind of healing mission
last March 11-16 for war and trauma victims of battle-scarred
Mindanao. This time, they came to treat the deepest and
most painful injuries sustained by war survivors. These
are the wounded spirits and broken hearts of those who
have been separated from their families, seen a loved
one killed, seen their homes bombed or set on fire, or
witnessed the horrors of terrorism and violence. They
can come from any side of the battle—soldiers, civilians,
rebels, those suffering from depression, nightmares, anti-social
behavior and other signs of psychological and emotional
trauma and stress. “[Trauma victims] must see that
while life is full of challenges, there is hope,”
described Fe Daluz, supervisor of The 700 Club Counseling
Center.
The joint Counseling and OB team conducted a Counseling
in Crisis Management seminar and workshop in Basilan
and Zamboanga City co-sponsored by the Armed Forces
of the Philippines (AFP) and the US Armed Forces (Balikatan).
Counseling Center Supervisor Ms. Daluz and Counseling
Center head Charlie Ferrera were keynote speakers. A
total of 105 participants from different cultural backgrounds
and representing the local government units, as well
as the education, business and religious sectors attended
the seminar. Workshop topics included The Work of Counseling,
Personality Development, Personal Counseling, and Counseling
Skills and Techniques. Hands-on workshops on actual
counseling situations enabled the participants to immediately
apply their newly acquired counseling skills.
Both
Fe Daluz and OB staff member Jun Mercado noted the enthusiasm
and positive response of the seminar participants, many
of whom were Muslims.
“I
just knew that everything we planned and did in Zamboanga
and Basilan were in line with God’s work. It was
even confirmed through the remarks of the participants
that the seminar was really an answer to their need.
What was more amazing was when one of the city councilors
in Isabela spearheaded the formation of the counseling
core group as she saw the relevance and the need of
their community,” shares Jun Mercado.
Moreover,
city councilors requested that the same seminar be conducted
in their respective areas of jurisdiction.
The
seminar did not only bless and open the eyes of the
participants; it did the same for those who conducted
it. As Charlie Ferrera testifies, “It was a great
experience having my views and my impression toward
the Muslims changed. God did open my eyes to see that
they are peace-loving people as well. My prejudices
were broken. I was really touched by the way the people
participated with all enthusiasm in the lectures and
workshop.”
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