I’ve never met a person that God has not blessed with the desire to help those in need. But many will ask, “how can I make a difference”? How can one person change what seems to be an impossible job? And these worries render them inactive. As a health professional, we are constantly reminded, “First do no harm” and statistically “medical missions have no real impact on those they try to serve”. So how can a small dental team serve and have an impact? How could we possibly be part of Gods plan to help not hurt the Quichua people of Ecuador?
Day one began with the disappointment that our portable dental unit could not build enough pressure to run our dental drills. Why God? Why are we here? No matter what we tried, the unit failed to work. Without that unit the only services I could perform we’re cleanings, extractions and education which is difficult when you don’t speak the language. God, you gave me the talent to save teeth! Why not let me use these talents? Why am I here? My first child patient was 3 year old Marvin. All 20 baby teeth had cavities and there was nothing I could do to help.
That afternoon God gave me my first answer. Raquel. Her flight had been delayed and it took her and Mario 60 hours to arive in Riobamba. I looked up after finishing an extraction to see her beautiful smile full of Grace! How humbling it was that after all the road blocks she faced getting here, she was still smiling ready to serve as God had planned.
Then God showed me Brittany, my second answer. Her pure heart reaching out to everyone young or old that came to our crippled clinic. She embraced them all with Gods love for all His children. I was humbled again “To see her light shinning before men”. This is Marvin after she took the time to wash his hands and feet and to comb his hair not unlike the women that washed Jesus feet.
With day three came my final answer. I was still struggling looking for a sign that God had a purpose in mind for me. Raquel and Brittany were touching lives one person at a time. They were gaining the trust of the entire community. No longer we’re the people of Gompuene looking away, they were looking at us and smiling. They were beginning to tell Brittany and Raquel their hopes and dreams for their community! These three beautiful girls told Brittany they wanted to become doctors or dentists and we’re studying English. Their dreams echo Raquel’s story growing up in Cantel Guatemala working with Dr. Karen in a make shift dental clinic at her school! Now Rachel is about to graduate from Dental school in Guatemala and will take over the clinic that Dr. Karen so Graciously help build. Is this the reason I’m here God? To witness this transformation?
No. There was one more thing God has in mind for me…….
Angel one of the community leaders of Gompuene along with Pastor Fernandez from the community Agua Viva International served last year came to me asking if I would help them build dental/medical clinics for their communities! Wow! God, you give me a huge task! And to be sure I didn’t say no, you brought the Vice Perfecta of the Chimorazo Provence to meet with me too! And to top it off, Maritza, Agua Viva’s representative in Ecuador, told me “We have to do this, we have to help these people. It’s the right thing to do”! My reason for being there was not to do fillings, it was to help build a future.
So as you read this, remember the greatest story ever told and keep in mind the story is not over and You have a part in this story!
Matthew 5:14-16 NIV
[14] “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. [15] Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. [16] In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. …
Blessings to All,
Craig Gaugh, DDS
