Missions

Stanford Wolfe, SD'66 (back row, third from right), has traveled on mission trips to People's Republic of China two times. Here he is pictured during his most recent trip with: (back row, from left): Donna Wolfe; Becky Wolfe, DH'92; Erik Wolfe, SD'97; (Dr. Wolfe); Liana Wolfe, SD'90; Ezbon Jen, PhD; Kaitlyn Wolfe; Sissel Topple, MD; John Wong, MD; Alice Wong, PhD; and Kate Hillier.

Those of you who have made a trip to People's Republic of China know that it is quite an interesting country to visit. In April, 2002, my wife and I made our first dental mission trip to Zhongshan, which is in the Guangdong Province.

We enjoyed it so much we wanted to take our family there for the same mission trip a year later and we did make plans to go, but the journey was postponed at the last minutte due to SARS. The Guangdong Province is where SARS originated.

When the SARS epidemic seemed to be under control we again made plans to go in October, 2003, and had a very successful trip.

Our group consisted of three dentists, one dental hygienist, and one assistant. They were Liana Wolfe, SD'90; Erik Wolfe, SD'97; Stanford Wolfe, SD'66; and Becky Wolfe, DH'92. Erik and Becky took their 10-year-old daughter, Kaitlyn, along and was she ever a hit with the local children. They all wanted to have their picture taken with her.

My wife, Donna, acted as an assistant to all of us, did instrument sterilization, and helped organize the clinic which was provided to us by Dr. John Wong.

He has built a beautiful 5-story building which has a four-chair dental clinic on the first floor, a lecture hall on the second floor, and apartments for guests on the third and fifth floors. The fourth floor is a conference hall and Drs. John and Alice Wong's apartment. His organization is United States China Christian Institute (USCCI).

We worked for five days doing restorative dentistry, dental hygiene, and extractions. There was never a shortage of patients, in fact we had to turn away more than we treated. The patients were grateful and appreciative and really made us feel rewarded. I think the treatment that brought the most joy to them was getting their teeth cleaned. Many had never been to a dentist and were thrilled with the result.

On Wednesday night Dr. Wong conducted an English class for high school students in the lecture hall, which happens to look like a church. We mingled and talked with the students which was a fun experience. The first time we were there about 100 students attended, but this time there were more than 300. We had to take the chairs out and have the students sit on the floor in order to get them all in the room. We have made a lot of friends with these students and their teachers, and keep in touch with some via email. The goal of USCCI is to establish good relationships and to represent our God in a positive light. I see that goal being realized. The Governor of the province visits the clinic and has taken our group to dinner both times we have been there.

All in all I would recommend this trip to anyone. You will work hard, but you also eat well (if you like Chinese food like I do). The Chinese very much like Americans and we have made some lasting friendships. So if you have the opportunity to participate in a mission like this, I would say to do it.
-by Stanford Wolfe, SD'66

The Wolfe family takes a moment from seeing patients in Standing, from left: Dr. Stanford Wolf; Donna Wolfe; Dr. Erik Wolfe; and Becky Wolfe. Seated chairside: Dr. Liana Wolfe.

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