Panama Team Sees Record Number

The Medical/Dental Mission Team to Panama saw a record number of people in one day: 451 dental/optical patients! For the week, 850 were helped in four and a half days of clinics.

Five dentists, two trained optical technicians, nurses, translators and support staff made the long journey to David, Panama, which served as base camp for the week. Each of the clinic sites were outside of David in a Methodist Church. Some of the patients were from the Ngobe Indian tribe, generally some of Panama’s poorest people.

The heat and humidity made this what one volunteer called “a-two-shower-a-day” mission trip. The children swarmed the team since this was the best show in town, often making the running of the clinics awkward.

[Jesus] spit in the dust, made a clay paste with the saliva, rubbed the paste on the blind man’s eyes, and said, “Go, wash at the Pool of Siloam.” The man went and washed - and saw (John 9:6-7).

Our team used more traditional methods, but were, nonetheless, helpful to many. The optical team was assisted by Dr. Bob Aarvig, an oral surgeon, from our sister church in Seminole, Florida. Dr. Bob had once worked as an optician. All week long he never pulled a tooth, but made lots of glasses! He was ably assisted by optical novices Gus Nixon and Jason Middleton. The three worked so hard they wore out the screwdrivers included in the kit!

Two of the remaining four dentists were aided in their efforts by the availability of a mobile dental van. The other two sat on wooden chairs.

The team had a day of sightseeing in Panama City, including a tour of the Canal before returning. The unanimous vote was to return to Panama for another tour to assist the lovely people there.