Some assignments are just jobs—others, a calling. Serving at the Southern Palawan Health Institute’s 10-day lifestyle program reminded me why I chose medical missionary work in the first place. Every patient, co-worker, and even each unexpected flight became a chance for healing with the Master Physician—not only through my hands, but within my own heart.
I thought I came to SPHI to serve—but God had so much more in store for me.
As part of the nursing team at the Southern Palawan Health Institute (SPHI), I knew the 10-day lifestyle program would be a busy time. My role alternated between flight nursing for medevac requests and lifestyle nursing when there were no flights. Each day, God spoke to me through the patients I cared for and the co-missionaries I served alongside.
The lifestyle program is based on the NEWSTART principles, with a personalized plan designed for each guest. Services included sunlight therapy, hydrotherapy, one-on-one exercise training, cooking demonstrations, plant-based meals, health coaching, dental appointments, spiritual coaching, massage, and—above all—Bible studies about the healing miracles of Jesus.
I believe the best prescription for health is the one from the Creator Himself. At creation, God placed humans in a garden with daily sunshine, pure water, fresh air, and plant foods. These gifts are still available to us today, and I loved watching guests experience God’s healing as they embraced them. I was grateful to see their bodies grow stronger, but what moved me most was watching Jesus heal their hearts.
The stories of transformation were powerful. One guest, a spiritist, carried his amulet everywhere he went. During the program, he grew eager to know Jesus. By the end, he had surrendered his amulets and carried a smile instead of fear. Another guest, who had survived three strokes, arrived walking slowly with weakness in his arm. He told us he longed to play sports again. By graduation, his steps were quicker, his arm was stronger, and exercise had become his favorite part of the day. One man, a chronic alcoholic, began asking the nutrition team about plant-based protein sources. By the end, he had committed to quit drinking, relying on the Master Physician for strength and healing.
By the end of the 10 days, the transformations were inspiring—not just on paper, but in the lives of our guests. Cholesterol numbers that once sat in the danger zone dropped noticeably, with total cholesterol falling from 171 to 153 and LDL from 104 to 87. Depression scores also improved dramatically, moving from moderate to only mild. Behind each number was a person walking taller, smiling more, and discovering hope they didn’t have when they first arrived.
While serving at SPHI, an urgent medevac request shifted me out of the lifestyle nurse role and into the flight nurse role, opening the door to an unexpected opportunity. The mission was to transport a patient with acute coronary syndrome from a small Palawan island to our Batangas base for transfer to the Philippine Heart Center. Storms delayed the flight for three days, and when we finally reached the island, worsening weather forced us to stay overnight. By God’s grace, the skies cleared early the next morning, and we completed the flight—sharing our in-flight breakfast with the patient’s wife.
At Batangas, while waiting for the ambulance, God impressed me to speak with them about health and lifestyle. She listened intently, eager to learn how changes in daily habits could help prevent future heart problems. As we prayed together, I felt deeply the connection between my two roles—flight nurse and lifestyle nurse. That patient reminded me why I pour my heart into the lifestyle program: so that more people can discover the Master Physician’s prescription for health before they ever need a critical medevac. His story renewed my passion to invite many others to join, in hopes they too can avoid the complications that bring people to us in such urgent need.
This lifestyle program made a lasting impact on my own relationship with God. I saw lives changed, bodies strengthened, and hearts opened to His love. I could see that He has given me a mission greater than myself—a mission to work alongside the Master Physician, bringing healing and hope wherever He calls.
