Field trip to the Dental Clinic!

One of the Cash Family goals of the Christmas break (not that we had many...or really any officially)...So, restart:  one of the Cash Family unofficial goals of the Christmas break (and life in general) was to not have too much screen time (screen time being just that - time spent in front of a screen). 

So as part of our campaign against screen time and boredom, another mom and I decided to "make a plan" ('cause making a plan can be quite helpful).  Part of our plan included a "home school style" field trip to the off ship Dental Clinic (it's quite convenient that the other mom in this scenario just happens to be the wife of the Chief Dental Officer of the Africa Mercy). 

Wednesday morning Gretchen and I, and the 6 kids that call one of us "mom", trekked off of the ship, down the street (easier said than actually done) and to the dental clinic.  The walk was pleasant - though intense at times (getting through the port and around the traffic circle has its challenges!).  We were asked many times just how many of the kids were ours -- good thing Gretchen can understand/speak some French!  She would point to her's and say "one, two, three are mine" and then point to mine and say "one, two, three are her's."  So, yes, all of them are ours...

We made it to the Dental Clinic and were given a fun and fabulous tour.  It was amazing - it kind of smelled JUST like every other dentist office I've ever been in (but not quite).

The waiting room (it even has a tv in the front corner) - sometimes people wait ALL day to be seen  (and that's after having stood in a screening line for a while at some time in the not too distant past)

Dr. Mark let all the kids try on his "special glasses"

Mrs. Gretchen read a story about teeth while we waited 

The main room of the clinic.  Lots of hope and healing going on in this place!!

Our Gateway Friend, Dr. Dave, working on a patient!

Dr. Mark explaining the sterilization process to the kids.  That's our friend Roses in the background!

The lovely Roseann & the reception area

Caleb & Emma working on the age appropriate packets Gretchen brought (she is a  former homeschooling mom and a rock star of a preparer!)

Caroline watching as Dr. Mark fills a patient's cavity.  Mrs. Gretchen was such a good "explainer" of all that was going on!

Eli talking to one of the day workers.

Caleb receiving all kinds of words of wisdom from one of the day workers

And just what every good field trip has - a chance to sweep (sorry it's a little blurry...). 

It was really wonderful to get to see our dentists (and the rest of the dental team) in action - they are doing life changing work on a daily basis.  It was fun to be on site and be able to pray for them and their patients - and to have a visual to go with our prayers in the future.

Here's a link to a beautiful blog post by Dr. Bullock: The Dental Clinic

Will you join us in praying for the Dental Team of Mercy Ships?  They are being the hands of Jesus in the mouths and lives of hundreds and hundreds of people. God, will you have your way in the Dental Team?  Please increase their efforts and their energy.  Bless their interactions with patients and day workers and crew mates.  Please work miracles through these faithful servants...may You be on display in the Dental Clinic day after day.  

Surely there will be more to come!