Report from Thailand & Laos

One part of what we do at Hospitals of Hope is supporting short-term trips sent by other organizations and churches. Earlier this year, we donated medical and dental equipment to a team sent to Thailand and Laos by the Mennonite Church, USA & Canada.

During their trip, the team served approximately 900 patients, using a cosmetologist's chair in place of a dental chair and performing dental extractions under local anesthetic-- extractions necessary due to the local habit of chewing on sugar cane. Here's an excerpt from a report on the trip written by Wendell Wiens, a general surgeon who went along:

The language barrier and newness of our clinic gave us no way to use the usual mental preparation and magic a dentist and parent might use here. One 6 year old himself wanted his abscessed and carious lower premolars on each side out so badly that he cooperated amazingly well on each step of the process. It was amazing to me to see a child so young be so determined to get rid of what hurt him during eating, and even during sleep. He bravely tolerated the dental extractions of all four just to get relief....

In the end it is amazing that the right instruments and dental supplies were donated in time for the trip.... God did provide in an amazing way. Acknowledging the unpredictability of human life, I would be willing to do it again if the situation arrived. Versatility in the end must be a characteristic of general RNs, general family physicians, general surgeons, and general Christians.

At Hospitals of Hope, we welcome the opportunity to support teams serving around the world. As Wendell wrote, "To be 'one in Christ' has special significance when we work together for others' benefit."