Adventist Mission

To Make Man Whole

Recently graduated in 2006 from Loma Linda School of Dentistry, Fred and I were accustomed to working with state-of-the-art technology, instruments, and materials. We wondered what the working conditions would be like in third-world Trinidad. We were prepared to work under the worst of conditions.

Much to our surprise the materials are fairly up-to-date and the equipment adequate, aside from the standard use of duct tape to hold equipment parts together.

The dental clinic is located in the corner of the 60-bed Community Hospital of Seventh-day Adventists in the city of Cocorite adjacent to the capital, Port-of-Spain.

Most procedures are performed such as cleanings, fillings, extractions, root canals, crowns and bridges, and dentures. We work to heal patients seeking relief from physical pain and at the same time hope to heal an even deeper pain rooted spiritually, emotionally, or mentally.

A young man came to the dental clinic with a toothache. While talking with him during his visit, I discovered that his toothache came about from a car accident. The accident had led to depression and hypertension due to stress. Following his dental treatment, I advised him to give his stress to God and shared some encouraging words. A few weeks later the man returned to the clinic looking much brighter and happier saying he felt better since his last visit and his blood pressure level had improved. It is through daily interaction with people that opportunities can be found to witness.

Our efforts “To Make Man Whole,” which is Loma Linda University’s motto, are fulfilled not only in the dental clinic but also through various outreach opportunities and health clinics. Church crusades are constantly being held in different parts of the country. Crusades work hand-in-hand with health clinics to share the gospel and health message to the surrounding communities. The health clinics generally consist of medical and dental screenings, glucose testing, nutrition counseling, and health book sales. By demonstrating Christian care, hearts might be filled with warmth and love that their world may not offer.

We have been called to join health care with evangelism and have found plenty of opportunity to do so here in Trinidad. To witness the results of these evangelistic crusades is more than enough evidence that God will abundantly bless the efforts of medical evangelism.

One of the health clinics we participated in was through our very own Community Hospital. The outreach was held in a city called Bangladesh where poverty-stricken men, women, and children live in metal panels, otherwise called “the ghetto” by locals, with no electricity or running water. While a meeting was being held, a man raided a woman’s home and terrorized her with a machete. All the people could do was pray.

Crime in Trinidad has increased dramatically from just a few years back reaching 10 times that of the U.S. per capita~primarily due to drug trafficking and gangs. Murders are the result of simple disputes. Robberies are commonplace, shown by barred windows and doors on most every building. Since our first day in Trinidad we have been warned of the dangers present and to literally “watch our backs” when walking on the streets. Afraid of being conspicuous as foreigners, we would remain in the safety of our home as much as possible. However, during the past year of living in Trinidad, we realized that trust in God overrides any fear present in this world.

Whether it be using our education or skills, sharing God’s message, or replacing fear with peace in an unsafe world, we have learned that God will bless and provide in our walk through life if we simply trust in Him. “But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

Photos
1. One of four working dental chairs
2. Community Hospital of Seventh-day Adventists in Cocorite
3. The dental staff – 3 dentists, 3 assistants, a hygienist, an x-ray technician, a receptionist
4. Picture of outreach: Health clinic in Patna
5. Picture of baptism: Mass baptism in Chagaramas Bay following a crusade
6. Fred performing a dental screening at outreach in Bangladesh
7. Jane teaching oral hygiene instruction at outreach in Bangladesh

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