Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27
Here are the highlights from our trip to Uganda. Yes, the photos were taken by me and our team. No stock photos were used! Turn up your volume and enjoy.
Having a hard time viewing this video? Click here: Dental Mission Trip Uganda Africa 2010
Dental Mission Trip, February 2010
Many of you know that I volunteer monthly at the Free Dental Clinic in Simi Valley. Providing dental services to the underprivileged of our community provides a reward that is not measurable by monetary standards. However, while the clinic could always use support from the community, this section is not about my work at that clinic.
From February 22nd to March 7th, 2010, I answered a calling to go to Uganda, East Africa, with a team composed of members from all over the US, under the sponsorship of Africa Renewal Ministries (ARM).
Our two-week trip focused on caring for children, orphans and families who are sponsored by the ARM Child Sponsorship Ministry. The average age of this population is 14 years and most children have lost at least one parent to AIDS, Malaria, war or political executions.
Since I was the only dentist on the team, the purposes of my trip specifically, under the direction of the local pastors and school principals, was:
- To provide dental work to children and families that have no access to dental care
- To distribute food to fatherless families
- To attempt to fulfill whatever the greatest needs are at the time (there are SO many needs)
- To expose myself to the realities of “life” among the extremely poor of the world
Living in Southern California, it is easy to get distracted by the abundance in our everyday lives. This was an experience that I will alway cherish.
I hope to travel abroad, in this capacity, again soon. Stay tuned!