Recently, we had a dental team come to Senegal from the United States. Their main "mission" was to bless a local church and community up in St. Louis, north of Dakar. There is no doubt that many were blessed through this team! The team was able to treat 175 people while in St. Louis! Our prayer is that many of these folks will understand the love of God through grace that was extended and received.
The dental team graciously agreed to see some patients at our house in Dakar as well. We did this in our upstairs room that we added on to the house.
As many of you know, our electricity in the city of Dakar has been terrible the last few months. We are usually cut about 12 hours out of every 24 hours. There is no pattern to the power cuts so you are never "ready" for them! In order for the dentist to use his drill he must have electricity. The very small generator we have that gives us internet hook-up, is not strong enough to run the drill. Leading up to the day that they were to come to our house, I kept talking to God about this potential problem :) My concern may have been heightened because I knew that I had some major work that needed to be done in my mouth that would require the drill!
The day finally arrived, Monday the 24th. There was this nagging feeling that I kept having that morning that the power would cut at any time. The team got to our place in time for lunch and we had had power all morning. We ate lunch, set up the clinic and Dave Hayward was ready to treat his first patient of the day - me! For the next five to six solid hours, Dave used his drill and fixed many teeth, even pulling a few as well! After he finished working on me, I got busy getting supper ready for 10 people. While I was working I said to God, "OK, this is amazing that the electricity has stayed on for this long!" I said, "God, if when we are all finished this afternoon, the electricity cuts, I will really know this is YOU!" Well, Dave saw 9 patients that afternoon. After the last one was done the team began to clean up their "clinic" and put things away. 15 minutes after the last patient left, the electricity cut and was out for the next 6 hours!
I knew that God had answered our prayers!!
We enjoyed a candle light dinner with the dental team and felt great gratitude for their ministry to us. They were the kind of people that when they left us, we felt like we had been blessed - our hearts remain FULL! and we praise the Lord! Thank you Dave, Barbara, Phil, Candace and Ardie!!!!!
Below, a picture of Barbara, explaining about dental hygiene to Josue. Laura Livingston stopped by for a visit and she is looking on.
Dave working on my teeth...
Dr. Dave and Dr. Phil... they brought a portable dentist chair along with everything else!
This is so great! Praise the Lord that these servants were able to come and bless so many. So thankful that you got your teeth taken care of, Elin!
ReplyDeleteElin,
ReplyDeleteKari said she is okay with her mother writing you :-). Just wanted to thank you for helping K and J get there to Dakar and for welcoming them to the team. If you ever feel like there is something I need to know, please don't hesitate to write or call me. cileborders@aol.com or on Skype at 678-389-9565.
We'll be coming in July to meet our grandchild. We'd love to be able to visit with you while there!