Tim Tebow's Philippine Hospital

When I wrote last month about Tim Tebow's promotion to starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos, I could not have forseen what would unfold in subsequent weeks.  It's not just that he's brought the 1-4 Broncos to a respectable 5-5 ... it's that he's managed to do it while simultaneously confirming the worst suspicions of his critics (his inaccurate delivery) and the fondest hopes of his fans (he wins anyway).  I find myself somewhere in the middle ... unsure about whether he can keep this up, but hoping for the best.

In fact, my affinity for this remarkable young athelete just ticked up another notch, and not merely because I just watched him drive the Broncos 95 yards for yet another improbable game-winning score against the New York Jets on Thursday night.

No, it was something he mentioned in the post-game interview that really piqued my interest.  It seems that Tebow's charitable foundation has been busy working with CURE International to build a $3 million hospital in Davao City.  Where's that?  Glad you asked!  Davao happens to be the chief city of the southern Philippine island of Mindanao ... and it also just so happens to be Mrs. Jailer's hometown. 

The hospital itself will be "a 30-bed surgical facility focusing primarily on orthopedics" to treat early childhood conditions such as clubfoot, bow legs, spinal deformities, etc.  According to CURE's Mark Necht, it will also meet spiritual needs:  "The medical care is our vehicle to share the Gospel with the patients and families we serve."

In his official statement on the project, Tebow affirmed his continuing commitment to his childhood home:  "I was born in the Philippines and my parents have been missionaries to that area since 1985. The Philippines have always had a special place in my heart."  The funny part is, most Filipinos don't even watch football.  Basketball and, of course, boxing are far more popular in the country where Manny Pacquiao is a congressman.

Still, maybe now that will change just a little, seeing as there is at least one football player with an affectionate eye on them.