Trip to Philippines

Dr Hodges is leaving on April 15 for a 10 day trip to the Philippines to perform cleft lip and cleft palate surgery on these unfortunate children who can not have the surgery done otherwise. There is government health care in the Philippines but patients entering the hospital have to buy their own medicine and food while in the hospital which is usually many miles from their home.

When these patients are accepted for surgery by our team which is called Memphis Mission of Mercy which is a 501-3c organization committed totally to free medical care in the poor areas of the Philippines, they are provided all of their needs including surgery, medicine and food free of any type of charge.

Every member on the trip pays for all his expenses and donates money for the patients--truly a mission of mercy.Not a penny is used on the staff or advertizing. For Dr Hodges who have done more that 60 overseas misssions in the middle east and far east, this is his 11th trip to the Philippines to help the poor people who have facial deformities which keeps them from school and work opportunities. There is a total life change when these deformities are corrected. The parents actually cry when they see their child "normal appearing' for the first time in their life.

For his the pleasure comes from helping these children and not from the praise of others. Money cannot buy the pleasure derived from helping these individuals who otherwise would stand the chance of not getting help during their entire lifetime.

Dr Hodges will try to send pictures and follow up along the way so that you can see the joy of serving others without any accounts receivable!