Prayer breakfast reminds alumni of colleagues serving around the world   James Crawford, SD'60, MPH, executive associate dean of the School of Dentistry, applauds Dr. Ben E. Nelson at the prayer breakfast. Dr. Nelson (Univ. of Missouri '54) was the first NASDAD-sponsored dental missionary, serving in Blantyre, Malawi from 1964 to 1972.   Early on Friday morning, February 11, approximately 75 missionary dentists (past, present and future), along with family, friends, and NASDAD board members met together for breakfast, fellowship, and an inspirational devotional message from Ronald Forde, SD'83. Dr. Forde, who returned in 1999 from 16 years of mission service, reminded his listeners of the call God made to Abraham to "go to a place which he knew not." He likened Abraham's life of traveling from place to place and living in a "strange country" to that of the missionary who is called to many parts of the world to serve his fellow man, and who lives as a stranger in many lands. He then reminded his listeners of our earthly sojourn in anticipation of our eternal home in heaven. At the close of the program, Dr. James Crawford introduced guests from the General Conference Secretariat, Larry Colburn, and G. Ralph Thompson. He then introduced Mr. Hank Estrada and expressed the appreciation of many missionary dentists who have benefited from his expertise. Mr. Estrada operates a dental supply business, and for several years has provided a wealth of equipment for mission projects all over the world. He is able to take the old and make it new again, and is always willing to help dental missionaries in any way he can. Mr. Estrada acknowledged a number of his dentist friends in the audience with whom he has worked on mission projects. He paid special tribute to Dr. Jerome Jablonski, a long-time faculty member who directed the Service Learning Program and, like Mr. Estrada, had the talent to "make something from nothing." Mr. Estrada and Dr. Jablonski worked many hours together to set up mobile units and to install off-campus facilities such as the dental facility at Saul Martinez Elementary School in Mecca, California. Dr. Crawford presents a plaque to Hank Estrada in appreciation for his long-time support of dental mission service. University | Medical_Center | LLU&MC_home | Search | Employment | News_&_events | Academics | Our_mission | Admissions | Registration | Research | Alumni | Student_resources All contents copyright © 2001 Loma Linda University. All rights reserved. Revised Wednesday, February 28, 2001 2:16 PM Send comments and questions to webmaster@univ.llu.edu URL: http://www.llu.edu/