Behavior Change Theories to Promote Healthy Lifestyle as Church Programs

The trans-theoretical theory states that a person with a certain risky health behavior is ready to change toward a better behavior depending on the stage where he belongs. This theory can be used beyond the traditionally used case in changing the behavior of smokers (Han, Gabriel, & Kohl III, 2017). The church is the single important institution that can influence the behavior of the patient based on the set of beliefs and values of their faith. A church member will be motivated to conform to his religious values and change their behavior depending on the stage in the theory where one belongs.  For example, a church can advocate for a healthy active lifestyle and encourage those living a sedentary life to join them in a dance or Hula-hoop sessions (Abundant Health, 2018). A person, although he knows that their church is teaching that an important aspect of their church life is living actively, will not join the Hula-hoop sessions if he is still in the pre-contemplation stage. This is because the church member does not see the benefit of the change in behavior.  The trans-theoretical theory states that a person will only be ready to go into action if that person is past the contemplation stage and is already in the preparation stage (Lamorte, 2018) thus church members are expected to take part in dancing the Hula-hoop in the next 30 days if they are in the preparation stage. These church members who actively engage in healthy lifestyle and activities like dancing, Zumba and other active lifestyle programs are already in the action stage (Han, Gabriel, & Kohl III, 2017). Churches can continue to promote healthy behaviors for its members and they will continue to participate if they are already in the maintenance stage which makes the behavior change sustainable in the long run (Lamorte, 2018).

Numerous studies have already shown evidence on the important role of the church in promoting healthy lifestyle and better health. Church health programs have been effective partners in promoting healthy behaviors among its members (Campbell, et al., 2007). Incorporating the belief and values system of its members to behavioral theories will produce a more directed and focused health promotion interventions that benefits the church as well as the health outcomes (Campbell, et al., 2007). The use of behavioral change theory can help churches plan their ministries that impacts greatly the health of its member and the community through activities it is already doing.

References

Abundant Health. (2018, April 6). HULAPALOOZA CELEBRATES ABUNDANT HEALTH AROUND THE WORLD. Retrieved October 20, 2018, from https://umcabundanthealth.org/hulapalooza-around-the-world/

Campbell, M., Hudson, M. A., Resnicow, K., Blakeney, N., Paxton, A., & Baskin, M. (2007, April 21). Church-Based Health Promotion Interventions: Evidence and Lessons Learned. doi:https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.publhealth.28.021406.144016

Han, H., Gabriel, K., & Kohl III, H. (2017, April 17). Application of The transtheoretical model to sedentary behaviors and its association with physical activity status. Retrieved October 22, 2018, from PLOS: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0176330

Lamorte, W. (2018, August 29). The Transtheoretical Model (Stages of Change). Retrieved October 22, 2018, from Boston University: http://sphweb.bumc.bu.edu/otlt/MPH-Modules/SB/BehavioralChangeTheories/BehavioralChangeTheories6.html

The Church Role in Empowering Communities

Faith-based organizations (FBOs) can help empower the community to actively participate in improving the health condition of the society. The Comprehensive Rural Health project in Jamkhed, India is an example of how FBOs and churches can influence the health of a community (Chand & Patterson, 2007). Educating the people and influencing their behavior to choose what is healthy and beneficial to the community are strong contributions of churches and FBOs. One such field in public health is the increasing cases of maternal death around the world where the church can positively contribute to its reduction. This has been the contribution of the FBOs in India where the communities where empowered to choose facility-based deliveries with skilled birth attendants to reduce maternal death (Chand & Patterson, 2007).

It is important to measure the contribution of FBOs and any other agencies in empowering the community. Community empowerment can be measured using the five domains of empowerment including confident, inclusive, organized, cooperative, and influential (Community Development Exchange, 2008). We measure empowerment because it is important to assess if there is real community empowerment that happens in the community after health promotion programs. Real community empowerment needs a shift of power to the people where they are the ones who are able to identify the problem, sort through it, and find solutions to the problem (Lord & Hutchinson, 1993). An example of a strong involvement of the people is the community-based participatory research. This type of involvement allows learning, research finding and dissemination of results through the help of all actors in the community (Thompson, Viswanath, Molina, Warnecke, & Prelip, 2016). We see such kind of participatory research in Gbanko. In this area, community participation in health has dramatically reduced their maternal mortality rate (Gala, Umar, & Dandeebo, 2015).  FBOs are also catalyst of real community empowerment which is important in sustaining the change that takes place in the community. Evidences have shown us that deep community involvement is crucial as it provides the necessary resources to keep the program sustainable over time (Nation Online, 2013).

References

Community Development Exchange. (2008, April). What is Community Empowerment? (CDX, Ed.) Retrieved Octobe 18, 2018, from www.cdx.org.uk: https://myportal.upou.edu.ph/pluginfile.php/219578/mod_folder/content/0/what_is_community_empowerment.pdf?forcedownload=1

Lord, J., & Hutchinson, P. (1993, Spring). The Process of Empowerment: Implications for Theory and Practice. (C. J. Health, Ed.) Retrieved October 18, 2018, from Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health: https://myportal.upou.edu.ph/pluginfile.php/219578/mod_folder/content/0/Process%20of%20Empowerment.pdf?forcedownload=1

Mbuagbaw, L., & Shurik, E. (2011, October 26). Community Particiaption in HIV and AIDS Program. (D. E. Barros, Ed.) Retrieved October 18, 2018, from cde.intechopen.com: http://cdn.intechopen.com/pdfs/22456/InTech-Community_participation_in_hiv_aids_programs.pdf

Thompson, B., Viswanath, K., Molina, Y., Warnecke, R., & Prelip, M. (2016, August 1). Strategies to Empower Communities to Reduce Health Disparities. doi:https://dx.doi.org/10.1377%2Fhlthaff.2015.1364

9 Things I learned Getting to a United Methodist Church in Cebu

Lessons I learned after arriving at the Mactan International Airport at 8:05 AM to attend the Order of Elders and Workers Retreat. Here are the top 10 things I need to remember:

1. There is no breakfast meal in Jollibee. I was hungry but the only Jollibee store at the airport does not offer any breakfast meal. I had to find another store outside.

2. You can take the bus going to Cebu. I wanted to commute with the public transport in Cebu. They have a MyBus right outside the airport. It will bring right at SM City Cebu where jeepneys going all over are available.

3. Be ready with coins. The MyBus uses a tap card but if you do not have one, you need to pay the exact amount to the driver (actually you drop it in the box).

4. There is a Traveller's Lounge in SM. This is very convenient for travelers going through Cebu. One can leave their bags there or take a shower for only P50. I took the opportunity to freshen up before I proceeded to my destination.

5. The Mall opens at 10 AM. I had to wait for the Mall to open before I could get to the available restaurants inside to eat my breakfast. I just ordered some cheeseburgers to go.

6. Take the 12 G or 12 I jeepneys to get to Labangon. There is a terminal infront of the Mall where jeepneys plying different routes are waiting. It leaves on time and does not wait for the jeep to be full.

7. Fare is P9. SM Cebu to A. Lopez is a little far but is just 9 pesos, that is 2 more than the regular fare P7.

8. The jeep route passes through a couple of landmarks in Cebu. We passed through Sto. Nino, Pier Uno, the old downtown Colon and the Vicente Sotto Medical Center.

9. The divine worship starts at 10:30 AM. I arrived at the church at 11:02 AM.

Effective Ministry for HIV and AIDS

What is the most effective and efficient church program for HIV and AIDS? I do not have the answer. But I cans share what churches in the Visayas have done effectively and efficiently with only little resource to use. Using the principles of Effective Altruism, we want to have cost-efective health programs that will benefit the most people with the least cost. One of which is health promotion in churches. 

Simple activities include Bible study on HIV, fellowships themed on HIV, preaching on HIV and liturgy on HIV. The activities are already inherent to the church, it only needs to emphasize the issues related to HIV stigma and discrimination - the main culprit of this menace.

As I have posted earlier, "Effective altruism does not question the intent of the people to help others. For many utilitarians like Dr. Singer, they question the impact and effectiveness of the help offered. Effective altruism, thus, puts into proper perspective how medical missions (or HIV programs) can effectively impact the health of the wider-community. Were the resources used properly? But for virtuous doctors, the question really is, can the medical (programs) missions effectively help me become a virtuous doctor? Are the medical (programs) missions the best venue in forming in me virtues that will make me an excellent doctor?  For Christian doctors, can these medical (programs) missions be the best way for us to achieve Christ-likeness? Will these activities form in me virtuous of magnificence? Do I practice generosity?

For in generosity, I am helping the best way I can to a person who needs me most.

Trinity Sunday: Jesus is going, who is arriving? By PasDoc Neki Soriano

Text: John 16:12-15

 "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

Theme: Trinity Sunday

Good morning. I am happy to share with you the good news.

Katatapos lang po ng election and we have a new leader and President. Did you vote for our new president? Do you like our new leader? Aalis na si PNoy? Mas magaling ba ang papalit sa kanya? Maitutuloy ba nya ang mga pagbabago o babalik tayo sa dati at lalong masisira? Katatapos lang ng General Conference ng UMC. We have new leaders in our church as well. In other churches, they have new pastors and deaconess, because we are an itinerant church. There is a reason why we do that. Other leaders will leave and go. People tell me, our strategy is not good. Who will take charge of the position left by our previous leaders? Who will take the lead if the leaders are gone? How will the Church survive? Who will help us in times of trouble? The relationship between the leader and members will be broken. Who will pray for us if we get sick? Who will heal us if we need spiritual healing? Who will correct us? How are we going to be forgiven if we commit mistakes? How are we going to be saved from our sins? You see, the problem becomes that people have become dependent on the person who leads them. The church has become pastor-driven or leader-driven. Kung ano lang yung sinabi ng pastor o ng lay leader, yun na. Worst, they even worship the leader instead of God. Kaya kapag nawala na yung leader, wala na rin silang magawa. I tell them, you have to read the Bible and you have to understand our faith so that you will appreciate why we are an itinerant church. Why are we not scared if we have new leaders or even if people come and go?

Today is Trinity Sunday and I found it very important for us to look into this very important doctrine in our church even as we look into our church leadership concerns. Why do we celebrate Trinity Sunday? We celebrate Trinity Sunday to commemorate the reality that we believe in a Triune God, The Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit. There is only One God, but Three Persons with One essence. That is the mystery of God. It is a mystery that the human mind cannot totally comprehend. Our words will never be enough to describe this mystery about God. Some theologians have tried to explain it like the three phases of water – steam, liquid and ice but they are all water. Some theologians have tried to explain it like a guitar chord where you press different strings but get only one chord. Other theologians have tried to explain it like a soft drink, you drink in a bottle or you drink from a can but all you get is the same Coke soft drink. It will never be enough how we describe the trinity. But we must remember that there are three persons at work here = God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, even though they are three, they are of one essence for there is only one God. They are together since the beginning of time. They are equal yet they can emphasize one over the other. They work in unity. God the Father is working through the Son Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit. We see this in verse 14 and 15 when Jesus said, “He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is also of the Son and this he also shares with the Holy Spirit. They are of the same essence as a Triune God.”

This is what we read this morning. Jesus was about to go back to the Father. But Jesus will not be really gone, he said, as the Holy Spirit will be with the disciples. God is still with them.

LISTEN my dear brothers and sisters. Jesus is leaving his disciples. They thought they are going to be alone by themselves. Jesus is moving out. Who will lead them now? Who will help them? Who will continue the work? This is the questions the disciples ask that we continue to ask today. But Jesus already gave his answer. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit will be with us. That is Awesome.

The good news my dear Brothers and Sisters, is that the same Holy Spirit that Jesus promised to the disciples is still here with us in the Church. The same Holy Spirit with the disciples is with us. God is with us. Even if Jesus went back to the Father, God is still with us through the Holy Spirit.

Now, what does it mean that the Holy Spirit is with us? It does not mean that everything will be perfect. It does not mean that there will not be any problems. We will experience difficulty just as the disciples did. Jesus said in verses before that they will do to you what they did to me. So the disciples will be persecuted. They will have conflicts. They will encounter problems, the same things that we may be experiencing today. But the reality that we have a triune God, the Holy Spirit is with us therefore God is still with us.

The disciples looked up to Jesus as their leader. They did only according to the teachings of Jesus. Jesus helped them when they are in trouble; remember the storm in the sea. When they have problems, they go to Jesus for troubleshooting. Remember the 5 loaves of bread and 2 fishes. But when Jesus left, the disciples felt that they will not have somebody to help them and guide them. But Jesus even said that it is to their advantage that Jesus will leave because it makes room for the Spirit to fill the space.

When a leader leaves, we allow the Holy Spirit to move and use another one and fill the gathered body. A new leader filled with the Holy Spirit will be able to guide us, while the entire body will also be filled by the Holy Spirit to follow God’s direction. Ang tanong mga kapatid, are we filled by the Holy Spirit? Did you allow the Holy Spirit to guide you or you rejected it dahil natatakot kayo? Bata pa kasi ako, hindi ko kasi alam yan, hindi ko man napag aralan yan, ganito ganyan lang kasi ako. If you are led by the Holy Spirit, you can do it.

I would like to share an experience I had in one Sunday School in QC UMC. The Sunday School Teachers there were big time lay leaders and veteran teachers. But one Sunday, they were not available because all of them attended a church conference. Who will lead the Sunday School? Or cancel na lang muna? Andoon na kami lahat, but there was no Sunday School teacher. Nagtuturuan na sila kung sino ang maglead. And then, out of nowhere, a young adult guy stood up and said he felt he was led by the Holy Spirit to facilitate the Bible Study. So we started in prayer and we read the passage and we had some discussions. It was a very lively and dynamic Bible Study and we felt so blessed after that because we were led by the Holy Spirit.

Filled by the Holy Spirit. I would like to highlight THREE things what it means that the Holy Spirit is working in us.

First, the spirit of Christ is in the church, even if someone leaves, the spirit of Christ remains. This is an important understanding for us United Methodist. God is in the church. God is residing in this church. People do not own the church. Pastors do not own the church. The chairperson does not own the church. Kaya nga, even if people live, God will still be present in the church. God will use someboy else to be the instrument of the Holy Spirit. Somebody can fill up that position and the spirit will ready to fill them up. I saw that here in Spring of Life. Minsan, I was looking at the children because there were so many of them. My kids asked if Kuya Marvin will teach them. But Marvin was not available that day. I do not know if somebody else prepared a lesson for the children, so I just told my kids to go at the back of the church, get the Bible Story and wait for me. And then when I went at the back to teach them, some of the youth are already leading the kids. I think sila Yana  yun at sila Mark. Kahit wala yung assinged makapagturo ng Sunday School, somebody else will take that lead with the leading of the Holy Spirit. That is how powerful the Holy Spirit works in us.

Second, the spirit of truth resides not in a single person; it resides in the gathered body. God is everywhere but God’s presence can be truly felt in the gathering of the people. Kaya, never say that I can worship God in my room or in my car or all by myself because God is in our midst if we gather. So, please gather together as one body. Come to church or it will not be a body. Jesus said, whenever two or three is gathered in my name, I am with them. Dumarating si Hesus if we gather together. So gather as often as you can, in Bible Studies, in Fellowships, even when you are eating. Do not eat all by yourself. Call other people and then pray together. When you read the Bible, gather together. And when you gather, feel the presence of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit in your midst. Be filled by the power of the Holy Spirit. Whenever you gather together, make sure you are all filled with the Holy Spirit. Bakit? This leads us to #3..

Third, the leader of every gathered body is Jesus Christ, not the person per se. The same is true in our church bodies. Our congregation is not led by the lay leaders, the pastor, the church workers or any person per se. Jesus is the leader of the congregation. The leadership position belongs to Jesus. Say “OUR LEADER IS JESUS.” That is the reason why we United Methodist do not get weary or troubled even if we have different pastors in our church. Because we still have the same leader. That is also the reason that even if we do not like the person in the position, we remain in the church because our leader is the same. Our understanding of the Triune God, the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit guides us in how we work as a church. It is very important in our understanding that we see God as our leader and not the person in front of you. That is why, do not criticize the person, that person represents Jesus. Instead, recognize the presence of Jesus in that person. Respect that person just as you would show respect to Jesus, even if you do not like the person or disagree with his/her thoughts. We are but instruments of the Holy Spirit but remember, we will not feel the presence of Holy Spirit if we do not allow the Holy Spirit to be in us.

People come and go, but the church will go on. People taking the leadership role may change but God is still our leader. Jesus left, but the Holy Spirit led the church forward. The gathered church will go on as long as the Holy Spirit is with them. God did not leave. God is still there, still here. The same Holy Spirit that led the disciples will lead the church forward. The same Holy Spirit during the biblical times is here with us today. That is the good news my dear brothers and sisters, that the Holy Spirit is with us today. God the Father is here with us today, Jesus the Son is here with us today, the Holy Spirit is here with us today – the Triune God is here with us today. Are you willing to be filled by the Holy Spirit? Are you willing to be God’s instrument in the church? In the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen. 

University of the Philippines in Mindanao Recognition for 2016

Our vocation in promoting effective and efficient Church Health Ministries received recognition. Earlier this week, I was informed that I am being recognized by my Alma Mater as one of the Most Distinguished Alumni of UP Mindanao for 2016. Below is what I had to say:

Salamat sa mga nagbigay ng parangal na ito. Pero ano nga ba ang ibig sabihin ng parangal na ito? Para sa akin, ang tanong ay ano nga ba ang puedeng magawa ng isang estudyante ng UP Mindanao 20 years mula ng kanyang unang  enrolment? Opo, 1996 po kasi ang aking student number.

Sa loob ng 20 years, dapat po sana ay graduate ka na. Dapat sana ay tapos ka na sa pag-aaral mo at ikaw ay may trabaho na para kumita at may sarili ka nang pera. Para naman hindi ka na hingi ng hingi ng pera sa mga magulang mo. Maawa ka naman sa kanila kung sa loob ng 20 years ay humihingi ka pa rin ng pera hanggang ngayon. “Ang makagradweyt at makahanap ng trabaho.” Ulitin ko. Ang makapagtapos ng pag-aaral para makahanap ng MAGANDANG trabahong magbibigay sayo ng MAGANDANG sweldo ay HINDI po tinuturo sa UP. Hindi rin po yan ang natutunan ko sa UP, kaya alam kong hindi rin po yan ang ibig sabihin ng parangal na ito.

Noong kami ay nasa PCA compound pa bilang mga estudyante, ang tinuro sa amin ay kung paano makitungo sa ating kapwa tao mula sa iba’t ibang antas ng buhay. Noong kami ay nasa Pahinungod at umakyat ng Diwalwal o sa Boys Town ay tinuro sa amin kung paano pahalagahan ang kapakanan ng iba higit sa sarili. Noong kami ay volunteer sa Eagle Center at binabantayan ang Agila sa Arakan Valley kahit may panganib, tinuro sa amin kung paano pahalagahan ang kalikasan. Noong kami ay dumalaw sa mga komunidad ng Mandaya, Bagobo at Tboli ay tinuro sa amin ang kahalagahan ng ating kultura. Noong kami ay naglakad sa lansangan ng Magallanes at Claveria, natuto rin kaming ipaglaban ang katarungan. Noong kami ay umakyat sa bundok ng Hamuigitan at noong nagsurvey sa Davao Gulf ay tinuro sa amin ang kahalagahan ng pagtuklas at pagsaliksik ng bagong kaalaman. Hindi po PAANO maghanap buhay ang tinuro sa UP.

Ang natutunan po naming ay paano maglingkod sa kapwa, sa kalikasan, sa Diyos at sa Bayan. Pagkalipas ng 20 years, ano nga ba ang puedeng magawa ng isang estudyante mula sa UP Mindanao? Walang iba kundi ipagpatuloy ang nasimulan at natutunan sa UP. Ipagpatuloy ang tamang pakikitungo sa kapwa, ipagpatuloy ang pagtulong sa mga nangangailangan, ipagpatuloy ang paghingi ng katarungan, ipagpatuloy ang pangangalaga sa kalikasan, ipagpatuloy ang pagtuklas sa bagong kaalaman, ipagpatuloy ang pagsulong ng kaunlaran, at ipagpatuloy ang paglingkod sa bayan. Opo, pagkalipas ng 20 years ay hindi pa rin po ako tapos sa pag-aaral dahil estudyante pa rin po ako sa UP. Pero salamat po sa pagkilala sa mga gawaing itinutuloy lamang natin.

At ang pagkilalang ito ay pagkilala rin sa mga katuwang natin sa mga gawaing ito… ang mga taong tumulong sa atin sa komunidad, mga lider ng people’s organization, Civil Society groups, mga nakatrabaho ko at fellow development workers, mga kaibigan kong nagbibigay suporta at panalangin (sana dagdagan niyo ang inyong donations), mga fellow Pioneers (sayang at wala ng UKLAS Mountaineers) mga naging guro ko lalo na dito sa UP hindi ko na po kayo iisa-isahin (pero especial mention kay Ma'am Novero na nagtiwala sa ating kakayahan) at sa mga una kong guro... ang aking ama at ina; ang aking pamilya na lagi kong kasama at higit sa lahat si Bathala.

Daghang Salamat. Padayon…

AMDG....   To God be the Glory...

Six Questions to Ask About Effective Altruism and Medical Mission

Effective altruism has been a major concern about the ethics of helping others. The discussion has centered on whether the help we offer has the greatest positive impact to the world. It scrutinizes whether the intent to help others is a valid reason enough to use our resources in certain activity. Such is the ethical questions that needs to be addressed by organizations thinking of maximizing their resources to help others through a medical mission. Here are Six Questions that needs to be answered before you organize a medical mission:


1. Is the medical mission the best way to improve the health of the individual and the community at large?
Medical missions are useful when disaster strikes as the health care system is overwhelmed by the situation. Yet, in ordinary times there are existing health services that the government are offering. It might be more effective to help improve the existing health programs and services available in the community to have longer lasting impact in improving people's health and the community as well. It It is better to put your resources to a program that will provide the greatest benefit to most number of people.


2. Is the medical mission needed in the area?
Many medical missions are conducted in areas that do not match the resources available to the needs in the area. One group once went to a depressed squatters area bringing antibiotics expecting many sick children. They found many to be sick with tuberculosis but do not have the medicines for it. Because medical missions often address acute medical needs, the timing and the location are important considerations for this activities. Another location might benefit the most with what you have to offer.


3. Are the recipients the neediest people who need the service?
This question is related to the first. Medical missions are often limited in their resources. It becomes important then to ask who will receive these limited resources? Do we give these to members of the organizations only? Do we invite our family and friends? Do we cater on a first come, first serve basis? Or do we exclusively limit it to the poorest people who needs the help the most?


4. Is the "medical mission" helping the local health system?
Each locality has an existing health care system. In low-to-middle income countries (LMIC) like the Philippines, it might not be as effective as we want it. But are the medical missions we are conducting helping the system or are we competing against them? Check if there are local health centers and health workers in the area. It will be unfortunate to conduct medical missions without their participation. You might miss creating a bigger and lasting impact.


5. Is the medical mission highly dependent on donations?
Do you conduct the medical missions on a regular basis or only when the resources are available? How will this impact continuity of health care to the people? If the reason why the medical mission was done in the area is because medical services are really needed, what does it mean to provide only once in a "Blue Moon" health services to them or only when resources are available? Limited resources is better placed in programs with the greatest health outcomes for all.


6.  Is the group concern with the health of the people or are they just using it as leverage for their own purpose?
What could be the driving force for the medical mission? Some churches have conditions for the beneficiaries, they offer only medical services only after the beneficiaries have participated in a Bible Study by the group. Politicians leverage it for their election. Groups use it to promote their products. Or do they simply want to help improve the health of the most number of people regardless of nothing to gain in return?


Effective altruism does not question the intent of the people to help others. For many utilitarians like Dr. Singer, they question the impact and effectiveness of the help offered. Effective altruism, thus, puts into proper perspective how medical missions can effectively impact the health of the wider-community. Were the resources used properly? But for virtuous doctors, the question really is, can the medical missions effectively help me become a virtuous doctor? Are the medical missions the best venue in forming in me virtues that will make me an excellent doctor?  For Christian doctors, can these medical missions be the best way for us to achieve Christ-likeness? Will these activities form in me virtuous of magnificence? Do I practice generosity?

For in generosity, I am helping the best way I can to a person who needs me most.