|
|||||||||||||||||
 |
|
 October 2007 Edition - Posted 9/27/07
For a copy of the April 2008 Edition, please email our office. Pictures and News Features: Cameroon Ministry Posted 4/08 February Ministry in Hermosillo, Mexico [See photo link at the end of the story] Posted 4/08 August Ministry in Hermosillo, Mexico [See photo link at the end of the story] Posted 8/07 Portability Equals... A Global Impact Posted 4/07 A Light in a Dark Continent Posted 4/07 |
|
| To recieve a copy of Grace Dental Mission's current newsletter, contact us by email! Email Us | |
In January Grace Dental Mission spent three weeks of ministry in the West African country of Cameroon. The country of Cameroon hosts a population of eighteen million souls scattered throughout its southern jungles, central mountains, and northern desert region. Animism, Islam, and nominal apostate “Christian” groups dominate the religious scene in this country. Despite the overwhelming spiritual darkness many Cameroonians display an openness to the gospel. While the people of Cameroon display a spiritual sensitivity, sadly many other African people groups have become callused and indifferent towards spiritual matters. The openness in Cameroon has prompted a number of fundamental mission agencies such as Gospel Fellowship Association to invest considerable missionary resources into church planting efforts within this country. Over the past few years Grace Dental Mission has made its own investment in Cameroon, helping to open Muslim communities to the gospel and advancing the missionary church planting effort. In this latest trip Grace Dental Mission’s efforts focused on the two villages of Njikwa and Babanki. Njikwa, a prominent village of the Ngwo tribal group, lies in a remote valley at the end of a winding, bumpy dirt road far from modern conveniences of electricity, mobile phones and running water. All other roads leading out of this town are only small foot paths ascending and descending over the steep grassy mountains and through the thick brush that crowds the narrow valleys. There is a small government medical clinic here, but these people have never seen a dentist. People walked from villages four hours away in hopes of finally receiving healing for their hurting mouths. Praise the Lord around thirty individuals found healing for their souls. The village of Babanki sits atop a hill with houses scattered between small fields. On the first day of ministry two hundred patients had registered, though time only permitted one hundred and forty seven to receive treatment. Ministering together with Grace Dental Mission was a dedicated team of eight national pastors and Bible school students mentored by missionary Tom Needham. As in Njikwa, the gospel was proclaimed tirelessly from morning till evening day to day. At the clinic public services were held several times a day. Between services, preaching continued in a one on one or small group setting. Others scattered into the village compounds proclaiming Christ. How glorious to see thirty-four men and women turn from darkness to light, from demonic domination to Divine dependence and deliverance. It is the hope and prayer of Grace Dental Mission, the missionaries whom they served, and the national believers, that churches be established in Njikwa and Babanki. These medical clinics helped in setting the foundation, and national believers are determined to continue the work. Praise the Lord. The success of our ministry in Cameroon is owed to the faithful prayers of God’s saints, the diligent efforts of dedicated missionaries, the faithful witness of fervent national men, and many hours of planning. We look forward to ministering in Cameroon again next year should the Lord tarry. |
|
|
Six days in Mexico recently showed how medical missions, and dental ministry specifically, can be a boost to the evangelistic outreach of local churches in that area. GDM’s work with two local pastors and a missionary highlighted the impact that an all-day dental clinic can have in the small neighborhoods and villages near Hermosillo, Sonora Mexico. In Hermosillo’s neighborhood of San Bosco a tarp shelter next to a house at the edge of the park was the “dentist office” for the day. The strategy of the local missionary (Tap Hornor) was to make new contacts in this neighborhood which had been visited only briefly before. As soon as the tarp was set up the GDM team and students from the Instituto Práctico Ebenezer (IPE) went door-to-door inviting people to the free clinic and giving them Bible tracts with an invitation to the host church (Iglesia Biblica Fundamental) in the next neighborhood. During the day each patient and those accompanying them were given the gospel in a personal setting while they waited to see the dentist. Many had brought children so there was also an opportunity to teach Bible lessons to them in separate classes. At the end of the day the dentist had treated almost 30 patients and our missionary host said they had gathered enough follow-up contact information to, “keep us busy for the next six months!” The next day the results of our ministry in the small town of Molino de Camou were quite different. There is already a small mission church in the town but the goal was to reach out further into the community with the love and care of Christ to those living there. The local pastor had received permission for us to set up the dental clinic in the computer building of the town’s secondary public school. It offered a comfortable and quiet environment to minister to patients. Again, door-to-door invitations were given for free dental care along with information on the local assembly. Shortly after noon the school principal notified us that we had to leave because he was locking up the school building for the day. The local pastor asked if he could leave us with the responsibility for the school property and the principal agreed and left him the padlocks for the computer room and the entire school compound! We were told that his trusting the local pastor with the school computer building, and the principal’s reputation and livelihood, was unheard of. Our ministering in Molino de Camou that day was a huge encouragement to the pastor and the group of believers there that their testimony in the town was respected. The pastor now has a new opportunity to present the Gospel in the future with the school principal. Each day of dental ministry in Mexico is entirely different from the others. Little did we know what to expect when we drove to Lomas del Norte on the outskirts of Hermosillo for what the local pastor called an “invasion.” To his knowledge the Gospel had never been presented to this new community of thousands of poor people living on the edge of town and he wanted to give tracts and present the Gospel to as many people in one day as possible. We arrived to find that the new “community” consisted of thousands of tarpaper, wood, and cardboard shacks at the edge of the Hermosillo landfill. We were accompanied by a large team of students from IPE who set up tents and tarps for the dental clinic, adult classes, children’s classes, and a puppet theatre. Amid the dust and smell of the adjacent landfill Dr. Jack Mitchell assisted by his wife Jennifer ministered to a large number of patients and many unfortunately had to be turned away at the end of the day. Students went door-to-door all day handing out hundreds of evangelistic tracts and the pastor and students taught adult classes presenting the Gospel and answering questions. When the dental clinic closed that afternoon there were a dozen decisions by adults to receive Christ as Savior and many names obtained for follow-up ministry and discipleship. The students stayed late into the night showing a video on the life of Christ and explaining the Gospel to more adults and children. The local pastor said afterward that people were reached that day because of the dental clinic who never would have heard the Gospel presented otherwise. He invited us to come again and felt that some day there could be an assembly of believers meeting there in the most unlikely of places – the landfill at Lomas del Norte! The common thread in all of these examples is the great impact that a one-day dental clinic can have as part of well-planned evangelistic outreaches by local churches. GDM works with local pastors and missionaries as part of their strategy to reach people in their area for Christ. Sometimes the dental clinic is the core activity that shows the love of Christ in a new way to the poor and needy, in some cases it opens new doors to speak to people who previously wanted nothing to do with “religion,” and at other times it can be used by God to open opportunities of ministry never envisioned. Our goal for GDM in Mexico and other countries in Latin America is to seek more unique opportunities to help plant, expand, and strengthen local churches – as God provides. Will you join us in helping GDM take the Good News of God’s Grace to a needy people in this wondrously open field? Click here to see photos from the this ministry. |
|
| Portability Equals... A Global Impact | |
 Over the past 20 years or so there has been significant development in the quality and quantity of portable dental equipment available to dentists. Much of the stimulus for this has come as the result of the deployment of military personal in remote locations around the world. The military had a responsibility to address the dental needs of its forces and, as a result, they encouraged the private sector to develop light weight, high quality portable dental equipment. They wanted the equipment to be easily transportable and able to be quickly set up in remote locations. The production of such equipment has allowed the military to meet the dental needs of its deployed forces and on occasion has allowed them to gain “good will” by helping with the dental needs of nationals. The portable equipment has given the military dentists a global outreach, not only to US personnel, but to citizens of many other countries.
An immediate by-product of the military’s need for portable dental equipment was the use of these same units in other non-military health care settings. In fact, the portable unit first used by Grace Dental Mission was originally intended for use in nursing homes. In those early years the equipment was rather cumbersome and extremely expensive. In recent years, not only has it become more portable, but the cost to non-military dentists has decreased significantly. By God’s grace, and through the generous support of God’s people, Grace Dental Mission now has portable units placed in three different countries. This allows us to travel to these countries without the complication of getting the equipment through customs each time. An additional benefit is that several GDM dentists could be ministering on different fields at the same time. This is a goal which has not as yet been realized. As the military has troops deployed in numerous countries throughout the world, God has His missionary “soldiers” also deployed worldwide. As our mission verse, “… that we might be fellow helpers to the truth,” indicates, GDM operates by partnering with such missionaries in an effort to aid their church planting ministries. To date we have had such ministries with like minded missionaries in 15 different countries. Like the military, we not only help our own missionary “soldiers,” but we also reach out to the nationals in the missionary’s area of ministry. This not only provides for “good will,” but also allows for opportunities to meet the spiritual needs of these people, thus fulfilling the purpose of Grace Dental Mission. The opportunities for ministry worldwide are staggering! As God leads, we are limited in our expansion only by the need for additional dentists and equipment. Currently we have three additional locations we would like to outfit with equipment. Adding new locations would obviously intensify both the desire and the need for other dentists to be a part of this global outreach. We are comforted by the fact that God knows of our needs and desires and if He so wills, He can provide “exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.” |
|
| A Light in a Dark Continent | |
 The image of Dr. John Dreisbach taking his three legged footstool, and his Bible, then sitting outside of the village hut the team stayed in while in the jungle of Cameroon, West Africa, is forever etched in my mind. “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do men light a lamp, and put it under a bushel, but on a lampstand, and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father, who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:13-16).Without light in that dark village hut, Dr. Dreisbach took himself out into the daylight, sat on his footstool, opened his Bible and let his light shine in the dark and godless village of Meyerim. This brilliant, gentle man of God and science, dedicated to the profession God had prepared him for, and servant to the people of Africa for more than 40 years, sat humbly on that footstool before His God and communed with Him there. As I watched him start his day with the Lord I saw the villagers coming out of their huts, one by one, to watch him. Dr. Dreisbach’s ageless spirit, housed in an aging body, had an impact on us all. In the winter of 2003, Dr. Dreisbach was told by the Cameroonian officials he was too old to practice medicine during a collaborative missions trip with his sending mission board Gospel Fellowship Association (GFA) and with Dr. Jack and Jennifer Mitchell of Grace Dental Mission. Dr. Dreisbach’s primary role would be to act as a consultant to team member Dr. Chuck Hurlburt, Family Practice physician from Virginia, and GFA Missionary to Cameroon, West Africa, Dr. Carol Loescher, Obstetrician. Dr. Dreisbach humbly accepted his marching orders and was content to serve as a consultant; however, the sovereign hand of God propelled Dr. Dreisbach, and this first time Short Term Missionary Nurse, into action one night when a very pregnant 16 year old girl, whose name was Elisabeth, arrived at our clinic door. Dr. Mitchell called out from the black, African night, “Susan, there is someone out here who needs you!” My twenty-five plus years of experience as an Inpatient Obstetrical Nurse qualified me as competent to care for this young girl, but I suddenly felt so incompetent. As the team scurried about preparing a delivery room in the mud constructed clinic, Dr. Dreisbach and I were assessing this young girl. It was apparent that she would deliver soon and the possibility for complications was evident when meconium was detected in the amniotic fluid. In most, if not all, American facilities, a team of specialists would be present for this delivery because of the potential complications to the baby with this finding. I looked around the dimly lit hut and saw African women peering into window-like openings, Dr. Dreisbach, an Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr. Hurlburt, Family Medicine, and Dr. Mitchell, a Dentist! Where was the Neonatal Intensive Care team and the Neonatologist? Where was all the equipment we needed to ensure a safe delivery for both this mother and her baby? Dr. Dreisbach, seeing my concern, reassured me with a glance and a smile! Dr. Loescher, the obstetrician, had not yet arrived in the village. The Holy Spirit brought to my mind Psalm 139; God’s all-seeing eye and inescapable presence. I knew whatever happened would be as God planned and that He was present in it. My spirit and mind were quieted. An hour and a half from the time Elisabeth came to the clinic, a healthy baby boy, given the name of “Doctor John,” delivered without complication. They both rested there that night and by midday of the following day, Elisabeth and “Doctor John” left for the village she had come from. How great and gracious is our God to provide what is needed to perform His will. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Eph 2:10). Elisabeth heard the Gospel before she left; Dr. Dreisbach continued to practice with his marching orders from our Great Physician; and I was both humbled and honored to serve our Lord, not just from the usual comfortable and safe environment of an American facility to which I am accustomed, but also to serve Him in a dark, mud-constructed hut in the jungle of Africa. I was so thankful for God’s enabling power and His Grace, which is always supplied, and always a sufficient remedy in every thing. My heart was, and still is, blessed beyond measure for the opportunity to serve God and this young girl and her newborn; for serving with Dr. Mitchell and the Grace Dental Mission team in this collaborative dental/medical outreach for the furtherance of the Gospel; and for the honor of serving with Dr. Dreisbach, this humble saint, whose God-given, gifted hands brought new life in the world and whose light bears witness of “….The Light. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world” (John 1: 7-9). By Susan P. Coakley, BSN, RN, CNIII, BC Short Term Medical Missionary Grace Dental Missions, Inc. Dracut, Massachusetts |
|
| Grace Dental Mission Celebrates 10 Years | |
 It is difficult to condense the results of 10 years of ministry into one evening, but on October 13, 2006, about 175 people got together to do just that. It was a time to review the work that God had allowed through the ministry of Grace Dental Mission. Pastor Bill Krawczyk, of the Church of the Open Bible and a director of the mission, began the evening by welcoming those that had come. Following an opening prayer, the congregation raised their voices in praise with the hymn To God Be the Glory. Mr. John Stecchi, also a director of the mission, and his wife Claire then shared the hymn Redeemed in Spanish. To give all present a feel for what a short term missions trip is like, Pastor Bob Emberley, of the Mountain View Bible Church and a director of Grace Dental Mission, shared journal entries from his short term trip to Honduras. He shared thoughts and observations of bad roads, steep hills, people in poverty, and souls in need of a Savior. His thoughts included blessings from personal and team devotions and more humorous anecdotes of an English speaker in a Spanish-speaking world. The last entry shared was the joy of sharing Christ with a child in the San Pedro Sula airport. Dr. Jack Mitchell, president and founder of Grace Dental Mission, then took time to introduce the directors of the mission. He next took a moment to mention the many who have traveled with him as team members as well as those who have contributed funds for the continuation of the work. This was followed by an excellent video presentation that gave an overview of the past 10 years of the mission. “The presentation highlighted the burden behind this work: to be an aid to like-minded missionaries in their church planting ministry; to help missionary families with their personal dental needs when possible; to facilitate the preaching of the gospel in remote locations worldwide; and to provide a vehicle to give others - both healthcare professionals and non-professionals - an opportunity to see “missions” firsthand. Following the video presentation, Miss Myriam Claudio shared a testimony of God’s faithfulness in allowing her to be part of a Honduran missions trip team. She included how God had blessed her in providing for the funds and giving her the strength to overcome her fears of teaching the Bible in Spanish. Mrs. Susan Coakley and Mrs. Jennifer Mitchell then sang the beautiful song We Want You Over There. The highlight of the evening was the guest speaker, Pastor Pastor Hixson challenged each present with the question, “Do I have Jesus’ eye of compassion?” With such an eye, one will see that God has programmed opportunities for us to share His gospel. He further challenged each to share God’s love and demonstrated how this has occurred through the work of Grace Dental Mission. The observation was made that some not only now have a new smile from the ministry of dental care, but some also now have the “the smile of God,” from heeding the saving gospel message shared. The listeners were also challenged on a personal level. The speaker shared that works of mercy allow us to see God’s claim on our lives. His work trumps social harmony and financial security. He said, “the work of God is the big thing,” and “there is a work out there that God wants us to do.” He finally challenged all to be looking ahead, to be faithful, and to expand the ministry. “Missions is not about what we are doing; it is about what God is doing!” After a closing hymn and prayer, the congregation moved to a room set up with refreshments. There was plenty of time for fellowship and to view photos and posters showing highlights of 14 countries visited by Grace Dental Mission. It was a wonderful time to reflect on what God had allowed to be accomplished over the past 10 years, and to anticipate how God may direct in the decade to come! |
|
| GDM Team Ministers in Hermosillo, Mexico | |
| Dr. Jack and Mrs. Mitchell spent 10 days in August in Hermosillo, Mexico. They were accompanied by some members of Grace Bible Church, Dracut, MA, The Church of the Open Bible, Burlington, MA, and Salem Bible Church, Salem, NH. The ministry worked with Instituto Practico Ebenezer, local churches and outreaches. The Mitchells gave dental care in villages surrounding Hermosillo while students from the school and church members shared the plan of salvation with those that came for treatment. The other members of the GDM team also assisted in evangelistic children's ministries. Several souls accepted Christ as Savior. Click here to see photos from the August ministry. |
|
|
William Hixson of the Athens Bible Church, The Plains, OH. He chose as his text John 9 as a challenge to what God wants to do through Grace Dental Mission. Using the example in the passage of the man born blind, Pastor Hixson asked the question, “Why meet physical needs?” He answered this by noting that meeting physical afflictions allows God a way to do the spiritual work He desires to accomplish. Physical work can lead to spiritual work, opportunities to show Christ’s love, and opportunities to share the gospel.