Life has an interesting way of intertwining people with similar situations together at random times. Such was the case last weekend during Operation Blessing and Shelter Rock Ministries’ second dental mission in Boone, North Carolina. As the welfare of our troops are on our hearts, see how those who are left behind are coping with life’s challenges as well as contributing to those in need.

In just two days, 16 dedicated medical professionals provided 192 patients of all ages with free cleanings, fillings and extractions. At the end of their visit, volunteers gave each patient a bag of powdered milk, toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash, a whitening kit and gum. Even though many had their mouths packed with gauze, they couldn’t keep from expressing their thanks. Precious people like Sandra.

A Soldier’s Mother
Several years ago Sandra’s husband was in a terrible accident and suffered a spinal injury leaving him permanently disabled. This forced the family to survive on Sandra’s income from cleaning houses and live without much insurance. In the midst of this transition, one of her two sons joined the Army. He has been serving our country in Iraq for more than eight months now. To complicate the already stressful situation, Sandra severely broke an arm and had to stop working until it healed.

Then something good happened. Sandra found out about our dental mission! It had been a while since she had seen a dentist, and she knew a couple of teeth needed to be filled or pulled. “This is a wonderful thing that you all are doing,” she said while waiting in the dental chair.

Retired Serviceman Volunteers
John sat across the room from Sandra typing patient information into our database. Retired from the Air Force and having lived in Saudi Arabia for seven years, he knew first-hand what Sandra’s family was going through. It has been only a few months since John had moved his family back to the US. Originally from Boston, he and his wife decided to settle in the mountains. They happily help Shelter Rock out as much as possible.

Pre Dental Student Has Compassion
Ashley, a junior at UNC at Chapel Hill, was back cleaning instruments in the sterilization room on Saturday afternoon. She had driven 2 hours on the weekend before exams to see how serious the need for free dental care really was in Boone. After she graduates from undergrad next year, Ashley will go on to study dentistry. She looks forward to using her education around the world through mission trips and free clinics. “I like teeth and helping people,” she shared. Ashley is also heavily involved in the Carolina Troop Supporters, which sends care packages and letters to our troops stationed in countries like Afghanistan and Iraq.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
Be a part of OBI's ongoing medical relief efforts by making an online contribution to help those suffering from extreme poverty and sickness.

 

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