Technology is an amazing tool...when it works! Celeste tried to get this posted while we were in Jos without success, so here it is now that we are home...
Hello All … From Jos, Nigeria!
God is doing a miraculous work during our mission trip. We are enjoying the hospitality of Christians who know at any time they could be martyred for their faith in Christ and still they reach out. Persecution here, I am finding out is a way of life for those who want to be God followers. We have listened to many testimonies of God’s mercy during abduction or a rescue attempt. The Hezbollah, the Islamic police, do not accept the Christian faith. In order to reach the lost, people here need to have a great amount of wisdom, discernment and faith – a total dependence on God. I am also finding that I have much to learn.
Providing dentistry on a mission trip to care for the poor is a wonderful experience but to actually train the people to care for themselves and each other is truly indescribable! The value of the dental skills in witnessing and sharing the gospel is unexplainable – you almost have to see it for yourself. I love dentistry and have for 27 years, but I am more excited about my work and have a renewed passion for the gifts and talents that God has allowed me to enjoy now after seeing this training program in action.
I am new to this group. Some of them work together at Southeast Christian Church and know each other well. I met our team leader, Charlie; at the Global Health Mission Conference where I first listened to Steve Saint speak about missions and how dentistry could be used. It is natural to be a little uneasy at first when meeting all new people, but God truly put this group together. We have bonded as one body of many parts … Everyone on the team has a special and unique talent and watching it unfold together as God directs has been a wonderful encouragement to my faith. We laugh, joke, share and are serious together in our work. Our host Daniel and his family have given us great joy.
Yes, we have also bonded through some “typical” mission team experiences – like sharing a bucket of water in the morning with at least four other people. Trying to “catch” water to flush with or even worse for a woman – looking at a square hole in the ground and knowing that will be your only option for the next eight hours while working on the field! Drinks served at room temperature – why would anyone want “ice” when the Lord as provided you a nice warm house to live in …? Blow dryers that are way too much for the generator to handle … the resulting “mission hair” … No make-up …
One look into the eyes of a grateful patient receiving dental care or a person learning how to do something that we take for granted everyday – for the very first time. Knowing you are being given the privilege to have a small part in advancing the gospel of Christ and it is all worth it! What is a little missionary hair anyway?
Blessings,
Celeste
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