Today we were able to see people come onto the ship and receive dental care. Most of the people just need to have their teeth extracted because they don’t take care of them or don’t have the means to take care of them. They do have the equipment for other procedures as well. When they leave the clinic they receive a toothbrush and toothpaste to help them. Also, Marine Reach tries to share Christ with the people that come on the ship. They want to not only help their physical needs but their spiritual needs as well.
I’ve been surprised at how much the Fijian people value relationships and family. They are the friendliest people I have ever met. Walking around town it’s easy to see how important they are to each other. That could be a product of not having much in this life though. During my time in the dental clinic I was surprised most by a father and his young daughter. After the father had two teeth extracted (or what was left of them), his daughter climbed into her father’s lap and was treated while lying on top of him. He held her tight through all the pain of the shot and her four front teeth being pulled. I was amazed that the father cared enough for his daughter to humble himself into a position where he was able to just comfort her in her pain. It gave me a really clear picture of how God holds us in our pain. It’s something we must go through to be healthier and stronger, but he holds us close as we are experiencing troubles.
Marine Reach helped 17 people today with their dental needs. How exciting!
Picture 1: The father and his daughter
Picture 2: A girl coming onto the boat to go to the dentist
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