11/25/2025
Thank you Lord for the experience of a lifetime! To Dr.Fortuna Varderman, her team at Randolph Family Dental, and Father Arnold. Inviting us to join this Mission was as you put it a Divine assignment! This is a repost from the teams, Father Arnold Abelardo and Keiko Stanberry.
Doc, Brittany,Monica,Keith traveling with you was a blessing! The Best is yet to come!
610 Patients Receive Free Medical and Dental Care at Ako Ang Saklay Center
A Claretian Solidarity and Mission Ministry with International Healing Hands Mission and PGNE.
What began as a simple conversation with Dr. Fortune Vardeman, a Fil-Am Dentist from Texas, about the Pastoral Care of the Sick ministry at Ako Ang Saklay Center, blossomed into a beautiful mission of compassion and service. Through God’s grace, this dream became a reality — three days of free medical and dental care, medicines, and grocery packs for poor families in Nueva Ecija.
Even as Typhoon Uwan arrived and electricity went out, the mission continued unwaveringly. The dedicated team of International Healing Hands Mission, led by Dr. Vardeman, served tirelessly — bringing their own dental chairs, medical equipment, and most importantly, their hearts full of compassion. The volunteers came from different parts of the United States — Texas, Arizona with Dr. Josie Oliva and California Nurse Jenny Oliva — united by one purpose: to bring healing, hope, and love to those in need.
With the strong support of our local partners — Claretian SOMI, the Provincial Government of Nueva Ecija, Governor Oyie M. Umali, Maa’m Cherry Umali, the Provincial Health Office, ELJ and Doctors and Dentist and Health workers from Different PGNE Districts Hospitals, RHU SANE, DOH NE, Local BHWs of San Antonio, HFA Batch 83 and many friends and benefactors of Saklay — the mission became a true example of solidarity and faith in action.
For three days, the Saklay Center was filled with joyful smiles, heartfelt thanks, and tears of gratitude. Many patients, some who had endured pain for years, left with renewed health and hope. A mother tearfully shared how her child finally received dental care she could never afford. Elderly patients clasped the hands of the doctors, whispering “Salamat po, ngayon lang ako muling nakaramdam ng ginhawa.” Children proudly showed their clean teeth, while others went home clutching grocery packs, their faces beaming with joy.
Volunteers also shared how deeply touched they were by the simple yet sincere gratitude of the people. Some community members brought local snacks, fresh fruits, or handwritten notes just to say thank you. Despite the storm and the long lines, the atmosphere remained one of faith, unity, and love — a true testament that healing is not only of the body but also of the heart and spirit.
Indeed, it was three days of hard work, overflowing joy, and divine grace — where more than 600 patients were cared for and countless hearts were healed.
Thanks be to God, our ultimate Healer and Source of compassion.
To all our partners, volunteers, and supporters — Maraming salamat po at pagpalain kayo ng Diyos!
