LLU - Dentalgram, April 2001

Mission to Mexicali by Ronald E. Fritz


Ronald E. Fritz, SD'72, MPH, and Cherisse Loo, D4, take a moment to calm a little girl's fears before continuing their treatment.

Sometimes we perceive the need to get on an airplane and travel to some distant or exotic land in order to provide mission service: I know I did when I moved to Puerto Rico in the InterAmerican Division, after graduation, to start my missions career. Often we forget that all we need to do is look across the street, in this case across the border, and we can see needs everywhere.

James Dawson, D4, coordinated a small group that went to Mexicali, B.C., Mexico, during Spring break.

We took instruments for exodontia only, as we were in a remote setting, working in a tent. James is no stranger to mission work, having started eight years ago. It is done in concert with a church group from Weott Christian Church in Humboldt County of Northern California, and Pastor Lance Anderson, was their very effective leader.

James started doing extractions for this evangelistic effort after becoming a freshman dental student. And, after multiple trips here, as well as El Hongo and Bolivia with SIMS, it shows in his surgical skill.

I was pleased he asked me to join the group, as I found how we can make easier the entrance of Christ into the heart of an individual: As I said before, the fingers of that right arm of the gospel.

It was this recent Spring heat wave in a dusty environment, in a very poor colonia on the outskirts of Mexicali. But the students, James Dawson, D4, and Cherisse Loo, D4, worked tirelessly and with enthusiasm to help these appreciative people.

In two days, 69 patients were examined and 46 extraction's performed, and many of the patients were in pain when they arrived. In addition, I gave consults and one-on-one health education, both in Spanish, to parents. And at one point, an assistant pastor from Comunidad Cristiana Del Valle, Gustavo, asked one of our patients if he had Jesus Christ in his heart and life.

As he asked me to join, he proceeded with a conversion prayer and the father accepted Christ into his life in front of my eyes, in an emotional event that moved those involved. Again, the entering wedge into this life was the compassion of the students' dental clinic and the manner in which he was treated.

Everyone stayed with local church members, two or three to each home. It was an enjoyable cultural exchange experience to live in a home environment and function like they do. The LLU group celebrated the birthday of our host, Oscar Plascencia, on the last night. Another significant note is that one of the Church elder's daughter, Dra. Juanita Corona, who has a dental practice in downtown Mexicali, worked side by side with us Wednesday, to provide local professional support.

As with any time one gives without expectation of anything in return, the reward was that feeling in our hearts and the satisfaction of a job well done and having helped those less fortunate. All one needs to do is look across the street, and you will find an opportunity to do mission service not very far away.

"In as much as you have done it unto one of the least of these, you have done it unto Me."

The trip to Mexical was planned by theWeott Christian Church in Humbolt County of Northern California.

A young patient shows her dentist how wide she can open her mouth.