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Bukal Life Care Journal Reconciliation 2013 Edition Publication of Bukal Life Care, Inc.
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Bukal Life Care Journal 2013

Sep 03, 2014

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Spiritual

Bob Munson

Bukal Life Care Journal is an annual publication of Bukal Life Care, an NGO based in Baguio City Philippines. We seek to help individuals, groups, and communities through "life care," referring to pastoral care, crisis care, member care, and health care.
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Page 1: Bukal Life Care Journal 2013

Bukal Life Care Journal

Reconciliation

2013 Edition

Publication of Bukal Life Care, Inc.

Page 2: Bukal Life Care Journal 2013

Bukal Life Care Journal is a publication of Bukal Life Care, Inc., based in Baguio City Philippines. The goal of Bukal Life Care Journal is to print quality articles on various

topics of pastoral care, psychotherapy, faith, and religion—particularly those that focus on how these concepts relate to each other.

Bukal Life Care Journal seeks to publish articles from a variety of viewpoints. As such, it must be understood, that the viewpoints expressed in these articles are those of the authors, and not necessarily that of Bukal Life Care, its Board of Trustees, or its staff.

Bukal Life Care Journal is published annually... time permitting.

Vol. 2, Number 1

Editor: Robert H. Munson, ThD

2013

Bukal Life Care, Inc.1st Floor, ZDH Building

Philippine Baptist Theological Seminary19 Tacay Road

Guisad 2600 Baguio City, Philippines

Cover Art: “Mother and Child” by Rebekah D. Munson, 2013

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Bukal Life Care Journal

2013 Edition

From the Editor …............................................................................................ 3

The Miracle of Reconciliation by Ryan Clark............................................ 4

The Ministry of Reconciliation by Charles Benton......................…............. 9

Unfinished Business by Celia P. Munson...................................................... 12

Embracing All We Are by Barbara A. McGuire............................................... 14

Disaster Response 2013................................................................................. 17

The Disastrous and the Miraculous by Fhey Kindipan-Coyoy................. 19

Disaster Response Volunteer Guide For Religious Crisis Counselors in the Philippines.............................................. 21

Photos................................................................................................................. 27

A Year in Review 2013.................................................................................. 30

Bukal Life Notes............................................................................................. 34

Contributors..................................................................................................... 36

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From the Editor

Reconciled with Reality

The original plan for our 2013 edition was to have articles on reconciliation. And we had some articles already submitted. However, during the editing phase, Typhoon Yolanda struck the Philippines. Our group, Bukal Life Care transitioned rapidly into disaster response mode. This, not surprisingly, slowed down both the writing and the editing process. But it also gave strong motivation to change the direction of this issue of the Journal.

How does one integrate disaster response with the subject of Reconciliation? Reconciliation is a broad term. In its Biblical sense it has the idea of change or exchange. Theologically, the term involves us changing, being reconciled, to/toward God. Additionally, the term refers to God changing, being reconciled, to/toward Us.

However, reconciliation has other uses. We can be reconciled to others, and we can be reconciled to ourselves. None of these really have much relevance to disasters and disaster response.

In the end, rather than trying to justify why disasters and disaster response are appropriate for a journal on reconciliation, I chose to put in material relating to disaster response because it is our reality. It is the biggest activity our counseling center did (is doing) in 2013. More broadly, with the major earthquake in Bohol, and the human-initiated disaster related to the kidnappings and village burnings in Zamboanga, disaster and disaster response is the most important characteristic of 2013 in the Philippines.

If I wanted to be clever, I might argue that it is on topic since it involves reconciliation with reality. That is more of a stretch than I care to make. But certainly it is important and healthy to be reconciled with one's present reality, and hopeful with one's future. Perhaps this journal will do just that.

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The Miracle of Reconciliationby Ryan Clark

“Pain that is not transformed is always transmitted.” -Richard Rhor.

I would like to discuss the idea of the Miracle of Reconciliation. When I say reconciliation, what I mean is bringing two things that are different and in conflict together in a way creates healing of brokenness.

We use this term in reference to our relationship with God all the time. Paul says in Romans 5:10 that, “we are reconciled to God through Jesus Christ.” It’s a topic we hear many Sundays.

Reconciliation with our family is harder than reconciliation with God, in my opinion. And so we don’t preach the topic often. We may talk about forgiveness but we don’t often go as far as reconciliation. Forgiveness can occur when there is still some distance between the two people. Reconciliation means the two parties have come together. I can forgive you and forget you. But if we become reconciled – we have decided to share each others' lives.

Now this is a theme our Biblical characters also have problems with. Some of them, like Jacob and Esau, do.

Genesis 33:1-9 And Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, Esau came, and with him four hundred men. And he divided the children unto Leah and unto Rachel and unto the two handmaids. And he put the handmaids and their children foremost, and leah and her children after, and Rachel and Joseph hindermost.And he passed over before them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept.And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children: and said, Who are those with thee? And he said, The children which God hath graciously given thy servant.

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Then the handmaidens came near, they and their children, and they bowed themselves.And Leah also with her children came near, and bowed themselves: and after came Joseph near and Rachel, and they bowed themselves.And he said, what meanest thou by all this drove which I met? And he said, these are to find grace in the sight of my lord.And Esau said, I have enough, my brother; keep that thou hast unto thyself. (KJV)

Here we see the bringing of two things that are different and in conflict together in a way creating healing of brokenness.

Reconciliation is so important to Jesus that in the “Be Attitudes” he interprets the commandment, “Do Not Kill” with a story of brothers who cannot give offerings at the altar because they are still in an angered conflict with each other. In other words, Jesus is saying – It’s not good enough to just keep from killing each other – we need to work things out.

I believe that true Reconciliation is a Miracle. It’s a miracle when it happens between us and God and it’s a miracle when it happens between us and members of our family.

Several of you know that I was a hospice chaplain in the U.S. and I sat at the bedside with many people when they breathed their last breath. It was an honor. I learned so much through those experiences. One of the things I learned was that in order for people to experience the Peace of God – Shalom – they needed to reconcile with their family before they died.

I don’t think it was a matter of salvation, but my patients had an incredible vantage point – perspective for how to view the rest of the world. That perspective was that our bonds with each other on Earth have significance beyond today and beyond this world.

I can’t completely explain it, but even Jesus saw the connection between our earthly relationships and our relationships with God. This is demonstrated in statements like, “God will forgive us if we forgive others.” And like this one from Matthew 5:24-25, “First reconcile with your brother, then give your offerings at the altar.”

As a hospice chaplain, I will never forget Sam and Diane. Sam was Diane’s son and they had not seen each other in almost 10 years. Diane was my patient diagnosed with HIV and dying from all its awful complications. Diane didn’t want to talk to me at first. Many people who’ve lived as hard as Diane and have been burned as often as she by church folk usually don’t warm up immediately to the chaplain. Eventually, however, Diane started to tell me her story. She had been

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abused by a relative as a teen, became addicted to drugs and eventually ran away when her family didn’t believe her about the abuse. She came back pregnant and was ostracized by her family and church. She ran away again after the baby was born and would only come back every 4 or 5 years. This went on for nearly 30 years until Diane ended up in one of our hospice’s charity beds in the last months of her life.

She finally gave the social worker and me permission to contact her family. They only lived about 45 minutes from our hospice. They came immediately: her father, mother, sister, nieces and nephews. They came every single day for two weeks. But Sam, her son, did not come.

Sam wanted to come see his momma but he was angry and scared. Diane’s health was deteriorating to the point where she had stopped speaking and hadn’t eaten in almost two weeks. I told the family, “Diane’s time with us is coming to a close…if Sam wants to see his momma before she passes, he needs to come soon.” They replied that maybe he’d be able to come over on the weekend. I gently let them know that she wasn’t going to make it to the weekend.

They called Sam on his cell phone and it happened that he was in his truck driving around the block. He had been circling the neighborhood for an hour trying to reconcile his feelings and gain the courage to come visit his momma. About 20 more minutes after that call he entered the hospice. We visited outside Sam’s mother’s room for a few minutes. He’d obviously been crying. He decided to go in to see her and we prepared him for what to expect. She didn’t look like the woman he would be trying to remember. I also offered to go in the room with him but he refused everyone’s offer and he went into the room alone and closed the door.

We could hear that 28 year old man crying from our camp in the hallway. We heard him say, “I love you.” We heard him say, “I forgive you.” Then, after what could not have been more than 5 minutes, we heard him yell, “Oh momma! Oh momma!” And in a voice that was directed toward the door of the room, “She’s gone…my momma’s gone.” We took that as an invitation to re-enter the room and his family joined him in his grief. Sam’s face and shirt were soaked with tears and he was still holding her hand.

Diane had suffered a lot in this world and could have easily slipped into the next any number of times in the months leading up to that day. But the hospice staff and I believed she was waiting to see her son. He was the one good thing she’d done with her life, as she had told me, and was ashamed that her shame kept her from being the mother she felt he deserved. She needed his blessing to let go and he needed to give it to her.

I’ve given this a lot of thought and I think it’s because Forgiveness and Reconciliation are ingredients of Hope.

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A simple definition of hope (and one I like) is the belief that change is possible. And I will tell you how that change can occur.

Most of us don’t have very much power in this world. We don’t set the taxi rate, we don’t say when the bus runs, we don’t control the weather, or the price of rice, or even our own health. But we do have control over some things. We have control over how we decide to relate and respond to other people.

We may feel like we don’t have much control over how we relate and respond to other people – I must confess I often don’t feel like I can control that. I have a younger sister and when we were young, we fought constantly. And we learned exactly what to do to irritate each other. I’m older and stronger and I used to pin her down and let the spit fall from my mouth and then suck it up again. And when our mom wasn’t home she would scream and get so angry. She was more calculated than me. She would wait and in the middle of dinner she would announce a sin I had committed and managed to keep from my parents. There we would be – eating our dinner and my sister would blurt out, “Ryan didn’t go to the movies with his friends Saturday night, he went to a party to meet a girl.”

My sister and I would fight back and forth – getting revenge until the whole family would explode in a big fight. This, by the way, is the opposite of reconciliation – it is called retaliation. Retaliation is when both sides keep escalating attacks on each other until there is a war. It happens with politics, marriages, and with most relationships.

The way we usually retaliate with people we don’t live with anymore is with silence and avoidance. We don’t have the energy or the desire to deal with someone so we avoid them – and like the proverb says, if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.

Silence is better than escalating violence – but it’s still far from reconciliation.

When we open ourselves to being reconciled with others we open ourselves to being healed by the God of our hurts. We are making ourselves available to be used by God in our relationships to come to a better understanding of what God has done for us.

James talks about how confessing to one another leads to healing. I believe what he is talking about is reconciliation. We have the power heal each other’s brokenness if we will come together and resolve the conflict between us and those we love.

“I’m not going to fight with you anymore. I confess to you that I don’t know what to do right now, but I want us to be reconciled. What do we need to do to transform this pain so we can stop transmitting it between us and to others around us?”

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“I don’t have to get my way – and I’m asking you to stop trying to get your way too. Our relationship is more important than all these other things.”

The most broken relationships can be mended. They may not be exactly how they were before or exactly how we want them to be – but healing can occur and when it does – we find ourselves hopeful and leads us to experiencing the miracle of God called reconciliation.

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"There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are the messengers of overwhelming

grief, of deep contrition, and of unspeakable love."-Washington Irving

“Death is not the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is what dies inside us while we live.”

-Norman Cousins

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The Ministry of Reconciliationby Charles Benton

Much of the ministry of pastoral care focuses on reconciliation. Often it is a matter of reconciling two parties in a marriage or in a community where relationships are threatened by strong differences. Sometimes it is giving care to allow a person to become reconciled with themselves following a breach of their own personal values, or giving attention to creating a sense of forgiveness in the face of a profound and lingering sense of guilt. In almost every case one finds that helping another experience a return to a relationship with God becomes a part of the ministry that is offered. Looking sensitively at what we offer and the manner in which it is offered may lead us to a greater appreciation for the necessity of this work in pastoral care.

The inclusion of the letters “re” in the English language draws attention to an action taking place again. If one says, “ I am ‘re-membering’ parts of my life,” it may be understood that there may have been a sense that some of those parts have been dismembered. Remembering is an act of putting the members back together again. In the same sense the experience of recollection involves collecting again memories or experiences so than one may focus on them as a whole. If pastoral care is a ministry moving persons and communities toward wholeness (or holiness), then certainly reconciliation is a crucial step in that effort.

The roots of reconciliation mean to “bring back together again.” The assumption is that something that was joined has been split apart. Another dimension of reconciliation is to bring into alignment two dimensions where there is a perceived difference in what is true. Some of us, for example, spend some time each month “reconciling” our check books with bank statements. In the personal arena we almost always find that there are disparate views of truth which means that neither party will allow for the possibility of truth in the other’s argument. Their different worldviews cause a split and disharmony where once there may have been closeness. It is valuable to recognize (re-know) that reconciliation does not necessarily lead to agreement that one point of view is closer to the truth than the other. Sometimes the work of reconciliation results in nothing more than two or more parties gaining a deeper understanding of the other’s point of view, and coming to accept that point of view to be true for the other.

The Book of Job is an excellent portrayal of a strong difference in Judaism in ancient Israel. A common belief was that the evidence that a person was living a

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faithful life was seen in the prosperity and health of the person. One could speak of the blessings of God being seen in that life as a reward for righteous living, and misfortune was taken as a sign of disobedience. A competing idea was that God is mystery and that fortune and misfortune were not signs of God’s favor or disfavor with a person. That position held that since God is mysterious, that God’s ways were beyond the ability of human kind to fully understand.

Job’s friends believed, in noting the disastrous misfortunes of his life (losing wealth, family, and even health),that these were signs that he had secretly disobeyed God. Reconciliation, for them, meant confessing his sins and asking forgiveness. Job insisted that his life had been obedient to God, and that his misfortunes were beyond his understanding. The story seems to point, in the end, to Job’s acceptance that God is a mystery, that God’s ways are a mystery, but that in one’s relationship with God one may expect to finally gain an understanding of one’s experiences in God’s own time.

The apostle Paul made it clear that a ministry of reconciliation was central to the life of all believers:

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, that person is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come. All this is from God,

who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, God was in Christ reconciling the world to

himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. So we are ambassadors for Christ,

God making an appeal through us.” (II Corinthians 5: 17-20a).

Evangelists focus on this passage as a calling for us to bring the whole world into a saving relationship with our Creator. In pastoral care the effort is made to offer that ministry to any who are seeking to restore peace. The question is, how do we do that?

One of the basic elements within the skill set of pastoral counselors must be the capacity for empathy. Nearly everyone is capable of sympathy, but offering the gift of empathy is crucial in a ministry of reconciliation. It is necessary for each belief about what is held to be true to be given a chance to be understood. This goes beyond just hearing one’s belief. It means that a person becomes convinced that the counselor understands their point of view and its meaning to them. Empathic listening encourages the other to share their understanding of truth without a hint of judgement. The counselor promotes a description from the other that is as exhaustive in scope as the one in need is willing to express. That encouragement comes by avoiding asking very many questions. Instead, the counselor responds to the one talking with feeling words that reflect the counselor’s accurate understanding of what has been described. In the event that the person is convinced that the counselor understands what they are describing it is often the case that they will continue to elaborate with more depth because they trust that they are being correctly understood.

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What so many people bring into the counseling arena is the experience that no one has listened to them without bias and in a way that brought them to the belief that someone fully understood them. A couple of words of caution about the use of empathy. Just because the counselor understands the point of view of the one talking does not mean that the counselor agrees that what has been described is the full truth. It is just that person’s understanding of the truth. The second caution is that because empathy deepens the experience of the one talking it should not be utilized when working with depressed persons. A ministry of wholeness does not want to exacerbate mental illnesses. Empathic listening is not an exact science. Listening with understanding means tapping into one’s own experiences and attempting to find some resonance with what is being described. When the counselor misses the meaning of what the other is attempting to describe it can often lead to the end of any meaningful work with the client. If there is a bond of trust between the counselor and the client it sometimes occurs that the client will correct the counselor’s perception and continue. A complicating dynamic may occur in empathic listening. Some clients are surprised and then subsequently discomforted by the depth of sharing that has resulted from this kind of listening. Some will retreat from the experience and choose to end their work with the counselor, but many find a new sense of hope in being so fully understood.

As this article is being written there is an internationally high profile story about a famous athlete being tried for the murder of his girlfriend. The prosecution is absolutely convinced from their assessment of the evidence that this was a premeditated act of aggression. The one accused is making the case that this killing was an unfortunate result of a misunderstanding of what was occurring at the time. It is the job of the court to fully understand both arguments and make a judgement about which represents the whole truth. Pastoral counseling that focuses on reconciliation is somewhat similar in function. It is not so much an effort to decide between two or more points of view as it is an effort to bring all parties to an understanding of how each saw truth. The gift of empathic listening often allows a person to describe their understanding of truth that brings them into a greater awareness of why they see the world the way they do. Perhaps some early trauma shaped a person’s responses to others and they have blocked memories of that event.

Being fully understood by someone who is trustworthy may open insights not considered for long periods in one’s life. Those insights may become the avenue toward healing the divisions they experience and regaining harmony.

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Unfinished BusinessBy Celia P. Munson

<Note: names and circumstances in this story have been modified to maintain confidentiality.>

I met Anna at one of our seminars for Crisis Intervention. I noticed her especially during the time of crisis group intervention. She was there but not REALLY there. She was staring afar with a blank look on her face, and she was not interacting with others in the group.

At the end of the group session, she slipped out quietly without being noticed. I would not have paid much attention to her except that her niece approached me and related how her aunt had not been the same since the death of three of the members of her family in the recent disaster. When her niece described Anna and where she had been sitting up against the door of the classroom, I realized to whom she was referring.

During the break for lunch, I saw Anna again... sort of by herself, though she was busy helping in the dining hall. I made my way to her to introduce myself. I asked her personally how she has been doing, and if it was okay if we could talk in a more private place. She said it was okay to talk in the hall. It was somewhat hard to hear her because she was quite soft-spoken.

Anna began to talk about her daughter, Sandra. Sandra had always been an obedient daughter. But three days before the disaster, Anna discovered, unwittingly, that her daughter was planning to marry a man. Anna was convinced that this man was NOT the right husband for Sandra. She had not been informed and had not been sought for blessing.

Because of the depth of her disapproval and anger, Anna slashed herself in the abdomen publicly. She felt that doing this would demonstrate the intensity of her rejection of Sandra's choice for a husband, and her own unhappiness with not being consulted. (The slashing event was related by the niece, rather than Anna.)

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Three days after the slashing event, disaster struck the community and among those killed were Anna's husband and two of her children (including Sandra), Sadly, there was no reconciliation before this tragedy.

Anna, Sandra, and other members of the family had unfinished business. It will take time for Anna to come to terms with this-- a horrible event compounded by the fact that it occurred without a chance to be reconciled.

One difficulty with crisis care is its short duration. One comes into the lives of those who have suffered devastation, and tries to provide some small amount of closure. Yet when there is unfinished business, more time is needed, to care for those who are experiencing complicated grief.

Reflecting back on this conversation, I realize that knowing a bit of the background story of Anna prior to my encounter with her might have helped. But perhaps not. She might not have been open to share regardless because we had not established a deep enough relationship as yet.

I can hope and pray that those close to her will give her the freedom and time to express her grief in a way that will give her healing.

For myself, I realize how important it is to take care of unfinished business before it is too late.

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“The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and deeds left undone.”

-Harriet Beecher Stowe

“Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,...” Ephesians 4:26

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Embracing All We Areby Barbara A. McGuire

This is a reprint of a web article, in “Pastoral Report” (www.pastoralreport.com) on July 5, 2011. This article is reprinted with permission of the author.

“Sadness is not the opposite of happiness. It is one of the myriad ways in which we respond from our whole self to what life brings. It is a path toward healing life’s hurts.

Let the anguish in your heart be heard.” --A. Quezada

When someone we love dies, the body reacts with shock. The circulation slows, breathing is shallow and we become disoriented. After the numbness wears off, our bones ache and our muscles are sore. We have no interest in food and although we might feel exhausted when we go to bed, we often can’t sleep; or we sleep too much. This is how the body grieves. Grief affects our body, mind and soul.

Nonetheless, expectations are put upon the grieving within our Western society that encourage people to deaden their pain, avoid it or worse, pretend it is not there. We are socialized to believe that when a loved one dies we are suppose to ‘get on with our lives’, ‘get back to normal’ or ‘get over our grief.” These mistaken beliefs create an environment for the grieving that is unrealistic. Yet these myths perpetuate throughout our society because they become part of the cultural belief system about the grieving process; they are inaccurate and wrong.

People will compare grieving to living through a long winter; where life lies dormant in those long, dark, cold months; feeling it impossible that one day there will again be spring. Despite the fact that many people have gone through this winter; they continue to devalue the importance and value of

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expressing feelings that accompany grief. Grieving and supporting the grieving involves work.

Society's unrealistic expectations and inappropriate response to normal grief reactions can make the experience worse than it needs to be. When a loved one has died and the person grieving hears unhealthy suggestions, it creates more confusion. The griever would have fewer conflicts about expressing their grief if those around them would promote the expression of these feelings. Promotion of feelings would allow for more realistic expectations about the grief process and acceptance of the expression of these feelings would help in the healing; creating less conflict for the griever. Dr. Candace Pert, a neuroscientist and pharmacologist, confirms the necessity of all emotions when she says,

“…all emotions are healthy, because emotions are what unite the mind and body. Anger, fear, and sadness, the so-called negative emotions, are as healthy as peace, courage, and joy.”

It is time for all clinicians to become a support to grievers, not an obstacle.

Why do we avoid this pain? As a culture we have been taught to run from the ‘bad’ feelings, which hold just as much if not more value than the ‘good’ feelings. My client’s fight back their tears, hold their breath and ‘suck it up’. Our culture teaches us that expressing our feelings is a sign of weakness. Yet the opposite is true! Clinicians need to encourage their clients to cry, shriek, scream, and wail. Our hearts are broken and it is in that weeping where our healing will begin.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could openly express all the emotions we have been fortunate to receive? In conversation with psychotherapist and colleague, Perry Miller, I mentioned how, "As a culture we run from the 'bad' feelings which hold just as much, if not more, value than the 'good' feelings”. Perry replied, “I wish clinical chaplains and psychotherapists could embrace that truth rather than having to support and encourage at the expense of the substance of genuine expression of humanity and suffering from those whom they extend their care”.

I couldn’t agree more, this tension of opposites; your body tells you one thing 15

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and culture teaches something else. We want to cry but we hold back our tears. We feel one way but are taught to act in another.

Jung encourages us to, “Go into your grief for there your soul will grow”. As clinicians it is our role to assist clients in recognizing the soul work of grieving, just as nature’s work of renewal, cannot be rushed. Sometimes it is enough to bear witness. Or as T.S. Eliot eloquently said: “The faith and the hope and the love are all in the waiting.”

As clinicians it is our job to invite our clients into something new. We can only do so if we ourselves believe it. So let us not shrink from the darkness but rather, gathering strength from nature’s example, wait patiently and faithfully for spring.

Some of our Staff at our Office

Becky, Joyce, Celia, Bob, Ptr. Bart, Jehny

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Disaster Response 2013

Bukal Life Care was founded out of disaster. In 2009, Bukal Life Care was formed in response to devastation associated with Tropical Storm Ondoy and Typhoon Pepeng. Since then Bukal has been involved with disaster response periodically. However, 2013 has been our most active year in Disaster Response since our founding. In June, a team from Bukal traveled to Buguias, Benguet to help a community recover from a disaster. A van rolled off the road with many dying. In this small community this loss, was a great struggle for friends and family to accept. Partnering with the Student Hub at Benguet State University, and at the request of the Catholic parish in Buguias, our team was able to do stress defusing as well as training with a large portion of the community.

In late November, a team from Philippine Baptist Theological Seminary, led by Dr. Nori Lacquian travelled to Leyte, particularly Ormoc and Tacloban, in response to the destruction caused by Typhoon Yolanda. We provided basic training in defusing methods, and sent a member of our team, Alexis, to join and assist the effort.

In December, we helped train and fund a team of 6, most of whom have been trained by Bukal, or are have a relationship with Bukal, to go to Kalibo, Aklan, and Consepcion, Iloilo. We called this group the Iloklan Team. They did training, defusing, and provided relief goods in both locations.

Soon after, a team of 10, including four staff members (Celia, Jehny, Becky, and Sera), and others associated with Bukal or the CPE program, travelled to Cebu City and Ormoc City to work with evacuation centers, do door-to-door work, and train ministry leaders.

Also in December, a smaller team (3) made up of Bob, Celia, and Joel joined others in Bohol for defusing, training, and relief good distribution. Although Bohol was affected by Typhoon Yolanda, the reason for the trip was the earthquake that hit Bohol prior to the storm. Actually, we had been asked, prior to Yolanda to assist in crisis care both in Bohol and in Zamboanga.

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The situation in Zamboanga was a man-made disaster with many villages destroyed due to political/religious conflict there. With Typhoon Yolanda, these other places were sadly often ignored. We were happy that we were still able to do some work in Bohol, although up to this point we still have not been able to work out the arrangements to assist in Zamboanga.

The year ended with the formation of “Project Leyte,” a partnership between Baguio/Benguet chapters of the Philippine Nurses Association (PNA) and Philippine Guidance Counselors Association (PGCA), Zero Distance from the Philippines, and Bukal Life Care. The goal is to train nurses, counselors, and chaplains in adult and child defusing and debriefing, and then do medical and psychological care in Leyte. By the end of 2013, initial training had been completed, with initial plans for project work in Leyte started. Additional plans for work elsewhere in the Visayas were also being developed by years end. (As of the writing of this article, the fruit of this work is still not known.)

It is worth noting that others associated with and trained by Bukal have been able to do considerable work in disaster response in 2013 as well. CPSP-Philippines, an organization that grew out of the chaplaincy program of Bukal Life Care, has been able to do considerable work both in the Manila (with refugees) and in Tacloban. The work is headed by Joyce Gray, national coordinator for CPSP-PI, and head of CPE for Bukal Life Care.

The following articles (one a testimonial and the other a set of guidelines for disaster response volunteers) and pictures relate to some of the various aspects of this disaster response effort.

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The Disastrous and the Miraculous by Fhey Kindipan-Coyoy

(The Coyoys were members of the Iloklan Team that ministered in Kalibo, Iloilo, and on Baliguian Island in Iloilo.)

Baliguian Island is called by people as the “Miracle Island.” It is one of the 16 Jewels of Concepcion, Iloilo. Baliguian is the farthest island among the 16 Jewel Islands. It is around 12 hectares with 230 households or more than 700 individuals. The beauty and majesty of the island is incomparable. They have lived peaceful and happy lives before Typhoon Yolanda came.

November 8 at 10am, an incident occurred that was very vivid and well-remembered by the people of Baliguian. Wind was blowing so hard and strong that most houses on the island crashed to the ground leaving only 8 houses standing and intact. The rest of the houses were either lacking a roof or totally gone. During the height of the super typhoon, many of the residents, including the children the big waves, high as a two-story building that was about to engulf them. But suddenly a beam of light from above and underneath seemed to melt the big waves, and they did not reach houses, taking lives and property. The water level on this very flat island rose only to knee level... no more than that. It was a miracle that this island was spared by God. The people have only one story to tell. They saw the miraculous hand of God that stopped the waves. The only thing they did was to pray that God would save them.

The people, including the children, have such great faith that can move mountains and calm storms. According to the story of one of the Kagawads (a local government official), they gathered to pray at the Catholic Church and the Fundamental Baptist Church (the two houses of faith on the island). It is wonderful to see the unity, discipline, communal spirit, and the faith of the people.

The people went up to the lighthouse and to concrete houses for shelter during the day. The pre-school and the primary school were also damaged. The children have nothing to use for school, so that they have to beg for school supplies. The Iloklan team responded by doing stress debriefing with around 180 children (using, primarily, art therapy), and about 100 adults traumatized by the event. Out of the financial contributions of different churches and individuals, 20 cavans of rice were donated with some other goods such as coffee, soap, cookies,

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shampoo, juice, and more.

While many resources are being brought to Tacloban and Leyte, many places such as some areas of Iloilo and Capiz were also so much affected, and we witnessed that in our road trips. They need more help.

Some things that are needed include:

� Rice

� Drinking water

� Construction materials for rebuilding houses (especially roofing)

� School supplies for 200 children... pre-school and grades 1-3.

� Motorboats for transportation and for fishing (most of Baliguian Island's boat transportation were destroyed).

� Desalinization equipment.

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Disaster Response Volunteer Guide For Religious Crisis Counselors in the Philippines

Adapted primarily from Disaster Relief guidelines from Ohio, Maryland, and

Virginia Baptists

Preparation

Think About Before You Go:1. If employed or a student, discuss your situation with your employer/school.

Be sure your absence for disaster response is fully approved. Do not jeopardize your employment or education.

2. Ensure your family are supportive of your decision to join.3. Look over the "What to Take" checklist and have on hand basic items. Add

any items that you know you might need for health, safety, comfort and efficiency.

4. Keep Emergency Contact and Insurance information, 5. Make arrangements with family, church, civic clubs, etc. for someone to

cover for you while you are away.6. Keep phone numbers and e-mail addresses related to your

team/organization relief network.7. Participate in as much training, drills, and demonstrations as you can avail

of.8. If you have any questions, ask before you commit.

Questions You Should Ask1. Why do I want to help?2. Am I able to handle the stress of helping others?3. How stressful is it to my family that I give time to helping others?4. Do I give myself time and permission to grieve about the losses in my life?

Or do I stay so busy that I overlook this important part of my own recovery?5. Do I eat right and get plenty of rest so I can remain healthy?6. Do my spouse and children still have proper priority in my life or am I Ietting

volunteer work edge them out?7. Is what I'm doing in accordance with God's will for my life?

You Should Be Prepared To:1. Recognize stress in yourself.

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2. Participate each day in the team debriefing during the disaster response.3. Monitor your own own...frequency of rest, length of work time, personal

food needs, shelter and privacy, and personal support system.4. Work as part of a team, not be a “lone ranger.”5. Say “No!” You cannot say “Yes” all of the time and survive.

Things to Bring

Devotional Materials:_____ Bible_____ Notebook for Journaling with pen/pencil_____ Daily devotional book (optional)

Identification:_____ Disaster relief ID_____ Personal ID_____ Insurance info_____ Medical care guidelines (if you have special needs)

Health, Safety & Hygiene:_____ Medicine—prescription and nonprescription_____ Allergy kit (if needed)_____ Sunblock (SPF15+)_____ Soap (body and laundry)_____ Deodorant_____ Antibiotic ointment_____ Towel/washcloth_____ Tooth brush/tooth paste_____ Shampoo_____ Comb/brush_____ Chap stick/Lip balm_____ Razor/shaving cream_____ Antacids_____ Insect spray_____ Anti-fungal medication_____ Vitamins

Food Drink:_____ Snacks_____ Special Diet foods (if necessary) _____ Drinking water

Supplies and equipment:_____ Flash light (extra batteries or hand winding)_____ Watch/alarm clock_____ Clear water bottle (for drinking and solar disinfection)_____ Bedding/tent (if needed)

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Clothing: _____ 4-7 days supply of clothing (practical, comfortable, condition appropriate)_____ Hat_____ Work gloves_____ Sleepwear_____ Work shoes/waterproof footwear _____ Raincoat or other wet weather gear_____ Duffle bag_____ Laundry bag (for dirty clothes)

Other:_____ Cash Money (perhaps P500 to P1000 per day on travel)_____ Inexpensive Camera (use with caution and respect)_____ Inexpensive Cellphone (with adequate load)

Heart inventory "Am I..."_____ Ready to really help?_____ Going only out of duty?_____ Ever resentful of demands made on me?_____ Willing to take directions from others?_____ Part of the team?_____ There to help people in need?_____ Willing to work wherever/whatever needed?_____ Willing to get special training?_____ Suspicious of people who ask for help?_____ Picking and choosing who is deserving of help?_____ Willing to be Christ's hands, feet, and voice?

Team Considerations

� A team is crafted, not thrown together. Willingness to go is not enough.� Team should have an overall team leader... a mature and organized person

to ensure safety and effectivity of the team. The leader should be able to make difficult decisions but should have the self-confidence to listen to team members.

� Team should also have someone to handle the first aid kit with at least basic skills in first aid.

� Team should have someone willing and able to provide counseling for team members.

� Team should have group devotions together if possible. � Teams should meet before the trip for planning, meet during the trip for

monitoring/conversation, and meet after for evaluation/debrief.� It is okay to have one or two non-Christians on the team as long as they

agree to appropriate conduct. Seeing mature Christians serving God faithfully SHOULD be a good testimony to them.

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Scriptures to Consider

1. How did God deal with Elijah's personal crisis in I Kings 19?2. What are some ways we serve Jesus in Matt. 25:31-46?3. How might God's attitude be different from ours when it comes to people

who are different than ourselves (by race, nationality, faith, etc.) based on Jonah ch. 4?

4. What are some aspects of true religion and worship based on Isaiah 58?5. How are some ways we care for those in crisis based on Luke 10:25-37 6. How might a Biblical understanding of love, as described in I Cor. 13, have

bearing on disaster response?7. What is God's priority based on Luke ch. 15?8. What can we learn about the church and Christian teams from Acts 4:32-

37.

These are just a few. Times of crisis often give us a fresh perspective on passages of Scripture that we have ignored or, conversely, have read to the point that they have lost their freshness for us. Use this time to wrestle, creatively, with God's word, your relationship with God, and your role as a servant of Christ.

Additional Thoughts

Basic Listening Skills1. Look at the person, giving him/her your complete attention.2. Give occasional responses to let the person know you understand—nod

head, change expressions, make oral response, ask questions.3. Paraphrase and ask for clarification. Do not put words in the victim's mouth.

Don't shut off valuable conversation with yes/no questions and cliche's.4. Don't pretend that you understand what they are going through (you don't),

but make it clear you are trying your best to understand.5. Avoid interrupting, if possible, unless there is real confusion.6. Be tolerant and be willing to accept new ideas. Don't moralize or condemn.

As a Spiritual Healer� Give hopeful truth. Do not tell what is false (not only is it wrong, but it will

make the victim not trust you). But sprinkle truth with hope. No matter how bleak things appear, there is always hope. Let them understand this.

� Some will be angry at God, and as a representative of God, some will be angry at you. You don't need to defend God or yourself. Usually, this is just part of their process of recovery.

� Deep questions are usually rhetorical. When someone asks “Why did this happen to me?” they are not looking for you to give them an answer. That's good, since you don't really know.

� This is not the time to dust off your theology books and start trying to give your theories on human suffering or divine sovereignty.

� Don't proselytize (unless asked to by the victim) This is a touchy issue. Some feel that crises are perfect times to push for someone to convert.

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There are several reasons not to. First, people undergoing trauma rarely have the ability to make a real major life change (you are seeking spiritual conversion not just a mumbled prayer). Second, if the victim believes you care more about your church's statistics than himself, your testimony of actions is lost. Third, your team may not be welcome to help if it is seen simply as an evangelism ministry. But, please share Christ's love through your action and make it clear who you are and who you truly represent.

� Your role is not just spiritual. Be prepared to help in questions about getting food, medical care, locating loved ones, etc. If you don't know these things, find out.

Safety Guidelines for Volunteers

� Stay in good health and physical condition, as much as possible. Have regular physical examinations. Consult your physician about your involvement in disaster relief.

� Get recommended inoculations: ex: hepatitis A and B, tetanus.� Take medications as prescribed by your physician. If possible, have a

backup prescription order for medications.� Work within your strengths and limitations--physical (strength and health),

emotional (stress management), and mental (knowledge and skills).� Take along personal health items which you have found helpful to your

comfort and health.� Take and wear clothing, foot wear, and special equipment suited to the task

and conditions: moisture, standing, heavy work, rough terrain, nails and glass, danger areas, etc.

� Avoid extended sitting or standing in the same position, sun exposure, water exposure, heat and cold areas (especially where it's damp).

� Eat regularly & increase water intake according to heat & work load.� Rest when you can. Some people can work longer, some not. Gauge

yourself. Don't be intimidated by what others do if it affects your strength and usefulness.

� Sleeping may be difficult. Try to arrange what is best for you.� Use caution in danger areas: electricity, traffic, broken glass, nails, etc.� Avoid constipation and diarrhea.� Report all cuts, burns, bruises, abrasions, strains, etc., to the first aid

coordinator.� Complete personal and medical information prior to or immediately after

arriving on the disaster site.� Become familiar with policy and procedures for on-site illness & injuries.

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On Site

Upon ArrivalThe team leader will check in at the Incident Command Post. The team leader will be provided with the details concerning your stay such as sleeping arrangements, meals, showers, team assignments, etc. These details may change if the situation is in flux. Note: a team should work within the response command structure.

DO:• Represent Jesus Christ in word and deed always• Be flexible!• Listen to victims• Keep victim’s information in confidence• Respect the victim’s property• Ask permission before photographing• Be sure of your information• Refer to qualified person if necessary• Make adjustments as needed• Understand you limitations• Pray without ceasing and rely on God

DO NOT:• Tell YOUR story or think it is about YOU• Use careless words or actions or spread rumors• Accept financial contributions• Speak to the media without unit leader’s permission• Exceed your training• Expect favors• Expect to work only with your group• Whine or complain!!

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Photos

Cebu-Ormoc Trip

Cebu-Ormoc Team

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Packing Relief Bags on Bohol Trip

Relief Work in Bilar, Bohol

Waiting in Concepcion for Boat to Baliguian Island

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Art Therapy on Baliguian Island

Training for PBTS Team to Tacloban/Ormoc

PBTS Team in Ormoc

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A Year in Review, 2013Bukal Life Care

2013 was a year of many changes. Most of them good. Some challenging. The following covers a few of the many changes and activities of 2013.

The Big Three

Bukal Life Care and CPSP-Philippines were fully separated. In theory, the two entities were always fully separated. However, since Bukal Life Care was the first certified training center for CPE and CPE supervision by the CPSP (College of Pastoral Supervision & Psychotherapy), there was a period of time that the CPSP-Philippines (as a daughter organization of CPSP) was inseparable from Bukal Life Care. Since CPSP is a certifying agency, and Bukal Life Care is a training and counseling center, this was not a desirable thing. CPSP-PI and Bukal shared a common bank account and finances were worked out together.. CPSP-PI had no active board of trustees and no governing board. CPSP business was handled at Bukal meetings. The first real attempt to separate the two occurred in March of 2012 with the incorporation of CPSP-PI.

Related to this separation, was closing down of Bukal Life-Manila. In truth, we were never really organized there. We had some members of Bukal who lived and worked there, particularly with Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE). With the organizational establishment of CPSP-PI, it took over the responsibility for CPE in Manila. At that point, Bukal Life Care released formal ties to work in Manila (except through CPSP-PI).

PBTS Partnership. On June 25, 2013 a formal partnership agreement was signed with Philippine Baptist Theological Seminary. To some extent, this partnership was a formalization of previous verbal agreements. However, This was agreed to in principle by Dr. Armand Canoy, president of the seminary, and then approved by the BOT of PBTS. It gives us formal recognition on the PBTS campus, office space and utilities. We also partner on Clinical Pastoral Education, and we agree to assist with student pastoral care and counseling needs. This arrangement has been a great help in our ministry work, and we like to think that it benefits the seminary, and others in need.

Disaster Response. As was described elsewhere, a lot of the latter part of this year was invested in disaster response and training others for disaster response.

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Much of this was due to Typhoon Yolanda. However, even before the typhoon we were finding it necessary to refocus on our disaster response program. Bukal Life Care started (back when it was called Bukal Life Ministries) in doing disaster response with Typhoon Pepeng and Tropical Storm Ondoy. In June of 2013 we were asked to do crisis stress defusing with people in Buguias in response to a major traffic accident and loss of life. This started us on retraining in this area. In October we were asked about helping with stress defusing people (especially children) dispossessed in Zamboanga due to village burnings, and those suffering from the earthquake in Bohol. We were already investigating options to do something in these locations when Typhoon Yolanda arrived and dominated our activities in November and December. All of this has made it clear the importance of, in some way, returning to our roots. We need to be ready, and ready to training others, in both crisis stress defusing and crisis stress debriefing.

Center for Clinical Pastoral Education

Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE). With the exception of our first year (2009), and perhaps this year, Clinical Pastoral Education has been our biggest single ministry. With some people moving, and the “spinning off” of CPSP-Philippines, there were two at Bukal Life Care who are certified as SIT (Supervisor-in-Training) with CPSP. These are Celia Munson and Joyce Gray. Additionally, Dr. Ryan Clark was SIT-certified and with Bukal Life Care. However, during the Summer months, he and his family relocated to the United States. For CPE, we have had 16 Chaplaincy trainees who have completed a unit or half unit during 2013. Additionally, there are 5 trainees in process as of December 2013. Of those 5, Two have completed units previously in 2013. Therefore, there were a total of 19 trainees in the CPE program during 2013. 16 Several of these have completed more than one unit in 2013.

Clinical Pastoral Orientation (CPO). CPO is a program that is a Bible School-based class meant to mimic the training methodology of CPE but in a form that is compatible with normal school courses. As such, the requirements are along the line of 60 hours rather than 400 hours. It is a good preparation for ministry, and a good way to help people curious of CPE to get a taste of the program. During 4 th

term (January – March 2013) Dr. Ryan Clark taught CPO at Philippine Baptist Theological Seminary, with 6 trainees. Celia Munson assisted with the individual supervision.

Training 1. Missionary Member Care. Led by Robert Munson. May (2-week Summer

module). PBTS. 11 trainees 2. Growth Groups. Led by Joyce Gray. August – October 2013. PBTS. 6

trainees 3. Pastoral Care Basics. Led by Celia Munson. At Serving Neighbors Network,

Baguio City. Training. 2 days. 8 trainees January 2013 4. Life Care Training Led by Bob and Celia Munson. At Sefton Village,

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Santiago, Isabela. 1.5 days. 20 trainees. Training Sefton Village February 22-23

5. Crisis Care Training. Led by Celia Munson. At “The Hub” Student Center, La Trinidad. 1 evening. 7 trainees. June 8

6. Stress Management. Led by Dr. Sim Dang-Awan. Dept of Agriculture, Banaue. May 23

7. AV-STM Member Care Training. Celia: Basic First Aid for STMers. 8. CPSP Symposium in Baguio. Led by Dr. Cesar Espineda. PBTS Oct 2012

UC Oct 2012 9. Solidarity for families and PWDs. AVRC Region 1. Led by Celia. Sep 26.10. Child Abuse. 1.5 hour lecture by Celia Munson at Benguet State. Oct 411. Loss and Grief seminar. Led by Celia. At Trinidad Baptist Church. Jul.12. Disaster Response/NOVA training, PBTS, 4 hours, 25 trainees, Nov 13. Crisis Care/Child Traumatic Stress, AV-STM, 4 hours, 15 trainees, Nov14. “Project Leyte” Crisis Debrief/Defuse Training. Organized by PNA-

Baguio/Benguet, PGCA-Baguio/Benguet, Zero Distance to the Philippines, and Bukal Life Care. Dec 27/28. Modules led by several including Celia and Jehny.

Ministry 1. Disaster Response, Buguias, Benguet June 13-14 100 people. Training

and Stress Defusing.2. Disaster Response, Ormoc and Tacloban. Led by Dr. Nori Lacquian. Alexis

joined. Relief work and defusing.3. Disaster Response, “Iloklan Team.” Numancia, Iloilo, and Baliguian,

Concepcion, Iloilo. Defusing, Relief Goods, Training. 4. Disaster Response, Cebu and Ormoc. Stress Defusing, Training for ministry

leaders in Cebu, led by Ptr. Arnold Arquillano. Dec 5. Disaster Response, Bilar, Bohol. Relief goods, Defusing, and Training led by

Bob, Celia, and Dr. Erlyn Santos. 6. ALS visitation and gift-giving at Crystal Cave, Baguio, (12 helped) and

Mother and Children's Health Outreach, San Isidro, Agoo (80 helped). Organized by Angie Gomez. February 2013.

7. Missionary Member Care Trip to Cambodia. Jehny Pedazo. AG Team and AV-STM May 2013

8. Dozens of pastoral care, crisis care, and missionary member care services provided by staff members.

9. Staff development training not-fully organized but on-going. � Bob and Celia received 2-weeks of training in Missionary member care in

Chiang Mai Thailand, Nov 2013. Narramore Christian Foundation. � Several staff members continuing in their training toward Registered

Guidance Counselor.� Celia, Joyce, Jehny, Alexis, Becky, and Maricel received briefing in DSM-V

for children in August. � Parents' Congress, attended by Celia, Jehny, Joyce, Becky, Maricel, Cori.

Organizers: Sunflower Children's Center, and Child & Family Services.� Becky Taylor attended ACCPEF Training in Manila April 29.

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� CPSP Plenary Conference attended by Joyce Gray Mar 2013. � Rules and Regulations of RA 10029, attended by Joyce, Alexis, and Maricel,

Feb 5. Led by PRC.� Columbo Drug Abuse Training. Attended by Serafina Tenenan � “Therapies for Kids” led by Jojet Mondares. Attended by Celia, Cori, Jehny,

Bart, and Sera. Dec 2013

Staff 1. Bob Munson: Administrator (Head of Support) 2. Celia Munson: Training Coordinator 3. Joyce Gray: CPE Coordinator 4. Jehny Pedazo: Life Care Coordinator and Finance 5. Becky Taylor: Office and Publicity (Part of Support) Others staff members include::

-Ptr. Bart Dela Cruz -Maricel Tindungan -Cori Mariano -Serafina Tenenan -Alexis Mendoza

Board of Trustees1. Mr. Joselito Mercedes: President2. Sr. Patricia Martinez, Vice President3. Padi Penelope Caytap, Secretary4. Mrs. Celia Munson, Treasurer5. Dr. Simplicio Dang-Awan6. Attorney Dexter Diwas7. Ms. Julie Sibuacao8. Ptr. Conrad Garcia9. Ms. Jehny Pedazo10. Mrs. Wilmalyn Awingan, RGC11. Mr. Rolando Malafu, RGC

NameIn December 2013, the staff met and agreed in their desire to officially change the name of the organization from Bukal Life Care & Counseling Center, Inc., to Bukal Life Care, Inc. The primary reason is that it simplifies the role of our organization legally. The term “Counseling Center” has legal baggage associated with it that doesn't necessarily fit a pastoral care center. Additionally, the name “Bukal Life Care” is simpler, easier to remember, and how we commonly refer to our organization anyway. Informal polling of the board of trustees suggests that the change is supported by a majority of them. In fact, in 2012, the board had recommended investigation into the changing of the name. Because of all of this, we are in the process of changing our documents to the new name (including this journal), while in 2014, the Board will formally vote on the change.

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Bukal Life Notes

History

Bukal Life Care came into existence through two previous organizations, “Shepherd’s Oikos” and “Bukal Life Ministries.” “Shepherd’s Oikos” was the name selected by the CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) at Philippine Baptist Theological Seminary (April and May 2009). This team was led by group facilitator, Rev. Joel Aguirre. They chose the name for the ministry work of the team. When the CPE internship was completed, some of the team decided to continue ministry work under the “Shepherd’s Oikos” name, particularly in the form of pastoral care seminars.

Bukal Life Ministries began in response to Typhoon Pepeng which did a great deal of destruction in Northern Luzon in October 2009. Bob and Celia Munson, Joey and Gracia Mercedes, and Angie Gomez initially formed the group (others joining later) to minister to disaster response workers as well as families hurt by the storm, particularly in Benguet Province. Some of this work continued into February 2010. A considerable amount of the ministry work was in crisis counseling. Because of the overlap of ministries of Shepherd’s Oikos and Bukal Life Ministries, as well as some overlap of personnel, it was initially decided that Shepherd’s Oikos would be a ministry of Bukal Life Ministry. However, at a subsequent meeting, two changes were made. The first was to retire the name “Shepherd’s Oikos” because the name’s meaning is not clear to those outside of a seminary environment. Second, since one of the major ministries of Bukal Life Ministries would be to continue with CPE and crisis counseling training, and other aspects of pastoral care education, it would be beneficial to set up a pastoral care and counseling center which provides the structure and support for the educational ministry.

After more discussions on the name, the final consensus for the name of the center was “Bukal Life Care & Counseling Center”. A board of trustees were chosen and Bukal Life Care & Counseling Center, Inc. became a legal entity with the SEC in the Philippines in June 2010. October 2010 was the grand opening of Bukal Life Care & Counseling Center Inc. Although this was the grand opening, the center existed and operated on a limited level well before this. May 2011 saw our formal recognition by the College of Pastoral Supervision and Psychotherapy as a certified training facility for CPE.

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Meaning of Corporate NameIt was our goal that Bukal Life Care & Training Center would have a name that helped to explain who we are and what we believe we are called to accomplish. “Bukal” is both a word and an acronym. As a word, “bukal” is the Tagalog word for “spring”—that is, a source of fresh flowing water. As an acronym, the letters relate to other Tagalog words.

Balikatan Working should-to-shoulder

Ugnayan Networking

Kaagapay Coming alongside

At And

Lingap (providing) Care

“Life Care” is a broad term that entails various aspects of pastoral care that may include, but is not limited to, pastoral care, spiritual care, crisis care, member care, and health care. Drawing these together is the idea of integrating spirituality as part of the healing process. Generally this would not include care that requires specialized treatment regimens such as provided by psychologists, psychiatrists. We work with these specialists to ensure that those in need are referred to the proper care provider.

“Training” is likewise a broad category. It may include skills training for ministerial caregivers. However, it can involve training for any, including training for self-care. In actuality, life care and training often work together and cannot (and should not) be separated.

Our VisionTo provide life care and training services to holistically transform lives, families,

and communities.

Our MissionWe integrate spiritual and psychological insight to promote holistic growth through

pastoral care of individuals, conflict resolution of social groups, and training for ministerial caregivers in the Philippines.

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Contributors

Ryan Clark, D.Min. Presently serves with Cooperative Baptist Fellowship in Missionary Training. He received his D.Min from McAfee School of Theology. Previously, he served with his wife, Cindy, as missionaries in Baguio City, Philippines. During that time, he taught classes in Pastoral Care at Philippine Baptist Theological Seminary (PBTS). He also served as part of Bukal Life Care as a CPE SIT.

Charles M. Benton. Has his B.A. From Furman University and MDiv from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.He served as a Baptist Campus Minister, Pastor of several churches in Virginia (USA), and Crisis care trainer for the Virginia Baptist Mission Board. He deployed in crisis care internationally in Grenada, India, and Hungary. He also provided training for Bukal Life Care and others during two visits to the Philippines in 2009 and 2010. He still provides consultancy for Bukal.

Celia P. Munson. Is the Training Coordinator for Bukal Life Care. She received her MDiv from PBTS and BS Nursing from Saint Louis University. She is a Clinical Chaplain/Pastoral Counselor. Additionally, she is a CPSP-certified Supervisor-in-Training for Clinical Pastoral Education, and Virginia Baptist Disaster Response certified Crisis Chaplain. Celia and her husband Bob, are two of the founders of Bukal Life Care.

Barbara McGuire, LCSW Works as a bereavement counselor for Hospice Care Network (HCN) in New York. She provided individual and group support to patient families at HCN. Barbara also provides these supports for members of the local community. Barbara is the registrar for CPSP.

Fhey Kindipan-Coyoy. Fhey and her husband Ysrael are pastors at ABCM Church (Arise and Build for Christ Ministries) in Baguio City. She received her MDiv from PBTS. She is an active leader and coordinator for Asia Vision: Short-term Missions. Fhey is a member and trainee with CPSP and Bukal Life Care. Additionally, she is adjunct facutly at Philippine Asia Bible College.

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Bukal Life Care, Inc.Baguio City, Philippines

www.bukallife.org

-CPSP-certified training center for Clinical Pastoral Education-

-Pastoral Care and Crisis Care Services--Ministry Member Care-

-Training/Seminars in Crisis Care, Pastoral Care, etc.-

Contact us at: [email protected]

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