Used
by God
Arni Asgeirsson
 |
| Arni Asgeirsson, SD’64, practices general dentistry in Newburyport, Massachusetts. He has been an active member and president of the National Association of Seventh-day Adventist Dentists, and provided dental care in Central America and Africa. |
I have had an interest in
missions ever since I took the trip to Chiapas, Mexico, in 1963, as a
junior dental student. That was an exciting experience. To be able to
help many appreciative people who would not have had the opportunity for
basic dental care, was great fun.
Over the years, I have been able to travel and provide dental care in
Honduras, Zimbabwe (where I started the Adventist Dental Clinic in Bulawayo),
and Venezuela. When I received a call from John Kershner, SD’70,
to go with him to work at the dental clinic at the Adventist seminary
in Zaoksky, it was easy to say yes. John has used his ample drive and
enthusiasm to nicely equip a three-chair office in one of the rooms of
the administration building.
The experience was wonderful. To visit with the young people at the
school and to realize their appreciation of what we were trying to do
for them was gratifying. Our accommodations were fine and we ate with
the students at the cafeteria. It is fun to try new foods when traveling
to a new place.
The clinic opens at 8:00 a.m. and we finish about 6:00 p.m., with an
hour for lunch. The school nurse had filled the appointment book, knowing
we would be there. We treated students, faculty, and their families. Their
response without exception was one of gratefulness.
Some time after I came home, I received a letter from a woman whose mother
was about 65 years old. It read, “...My mother was a Communist in
the past, but in her heart she considered herself a Russian Orthodox Christian.
At this time, when mother came from Ukraine, her home, to visit us, she
was very open to the voice of the Holy Spirit.
| We never know how our influence will be felt by others. The Lord can use us without our knowing it. |
“What joy we had when Mom came home, telling me how wonderful and
pleasant it was to visit with you. She told me that she never experienced
such good dental treatment. I told her that you and Dr. Kershner and other
assistants were doing missionary work for the Russian people, and explained
that you have brought all the materials and medicine that was needed for
patients here and I told her how much it cost for you. She was so impressed
by your self-sacrificing spirit. She greatly appreciated what you have
done for her because she gets $20 (US) pension, and she would never be
able to afford such dental care. That night, my mother prayed at the family
prayer time: ‘Thank you Lord for answering my prayers. Please bless
in a very special way these good people who worked on my teeth today.’
“When mom returned to Kiev, Ukraine, where she lives, she began
to attend the Seventh-day Adventist church. Just a few days ago, I received
a phone call from the Kiev Church elder, that my mother was baptized.
You played a very important role in that decision.
“I just want to tell you again, thank you very much for all that
you have done for my mother and my family. May God bless you in your powerful
ministry.”
I was so surprised and pleased to get that letter because I had done nothing remarkable as far as I was concerned. The care that was provided was standard and routine. We never know how our influence will be felt by others. The Lord can use us without our knowing it.
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