Hello.
Would you like to meet the 2013 Dental team?
We have an interesting mix this year.
8 of 10 people going are related.
First we have Jim and Jennifer Fetsch.
They are married, have two children ( Ryan and Jake)
Jim is one of the two dentists on the trip. On previous trips Jennifer has done everything from assist Jim, to admit patients and organize supplies. Jim is pretty outgoing and likes to help people. We have his biography and history on previous trips posted to this blog.
Jennifer's bio is new to the blog. In her own words:
"This will be my third trip to
Honduras with the dental team. You leave with such an overwhelming feeling of
wanting to give your time, help and faith to others and come back with an
overwhelming feeling of being given so much more. I feel blessed to have this opportunity
to provide resources that are unavailable to this part of the world and to have
the opportunity to be shown more ways to grow in my faith with the people of
Talanga.
I am lucky
enough to share this experience with my husband, Jim and look forward to being
a dental assistant for a week. It is wonderful to be able to share this week
with him. Back home, grandma and grandpa
will be taking care of our sons Ryan and Jake, which we are so thankful for.
We look
forward to sharing experiences and pictures upon on return. Thank you so much
for the prayers and support from our SunRise family."
Next, we have a father daughter team. Paul Moore and his daughter Monica are teaming up for another trip to Honduras. Paul is our second dentist on the trip. Monica will be assisting him this year. On a previous trip she ran the supply area and sterilizers. Monica is a touch camera shy so we do not have a current picture available. Paul was available for a picture while on the run between a dental team meeting and a Boy Scout event.
Here are Paul's own words:
"As a life-long St. Louis resident, I graduated from Parkway West H. S. and
spent
my college years in Kansas City. Upon return I set up my dental practice in New Melle. My wife Cheryl and I have Monica (21) and Chris (14) to call our own.
Actually, they own us! When not working I enjoy fly-fishing and Scouting.
My family and I have been given so many of God's blessings and to "give
back" is what He would want. What I experienced on my first trip to Talanga was so life-changing and profound that I knew I'd be there again. We only realize how
fortunate we are when we see how people live in other parts of the world.
Children praying for food at the Sunday service puts it all into perspective.
Being a dentist for 25 years has given me the ability to help these people,
relieving their pain and restoring their beautiful
smiles. "He is no fool
to give what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose." -
Phillip James Elliott 1927 - 1956 Missionary to Ecuador - "
Next, we have another husband / wife team: Craig and Jan Boring. Craig is a generalist who will be helping with what ever is needed in the set up and then he and Pete Matzner will be doing work with stoves and cooking options. Jan is a registered nurse. She will be helping to organize patients and working with general care.
Here are their own words:
"We have been blessed to be part of the Honduras Volunteer's In
Mission effort from SunRise since 2005. Through the years, we have been
involved in medical, dental and construction efforts focused mainly on Talanga,
Honduras.
The memories of that first trip to Honduras are still vivid to
this day. We had no clue what we would see or encounter as we headed
off. We felt we were mainly going to help others. Yes, we did
provide service to others on that trip, but gained so much more than we
gave. We left Honduras with a sense of joy that we had been the hands and
feet of Christ.
On that trip and subsequent ones over the years, we have met so
many loving, Christ-centered people in Talanga. The hospitality has
always been gracious and loving. The friendships we have developed,
working in the clinics or on a project, playing with the kids, spending time
with the many families of the Talanga Central church, walking through the
town, are among just a few of the memories we bring back. Each trip is so
unique and special with the experience we encounter. We look forward to
the 2013 VIM trip to see old friends and meet many new ones.
Our involvement in the SunRise Mission efforts to Honduras is one
of the most fulfilling endeavors of our lives. It has been a true
blessing, allowing us to grow in our faith journey and share the love of
Christ."
Next, we have Jim and Beth Blue. Aka Pastor Blue and Mrs. Blue. As the pastor of Sunrise, Jim is one of the prime ring leaders of the trip. Here is their picture:
Beth has been working with Jim in various church related activities for many years. Jim describes himself:
"I am Jim Blue, lead pastor at SunRise and a returning member
of the Dental Mission team. WOW!! Four
years have passed since my last mission trip to Honduras and the opportunity to
work alongside some great friends while worship and serving some awesome
Christians in Talanga. There are hundreds of reasons I look forward to
traveling to a foreign Central American country – each of those reasons is
identified by a face, some familiar from our previous trips and some seen for
the first time. Each face reminds me of how God calls us into building
relationships while utilizing the gifts, talents, and resources we have
received from Him. Oh, yes while we are there we provide much needed dental care
to a community where availability and money make it impossible to receive the
very things in our society we take for granted. I thank you for your prayers and
support as we travel this year to meet and greet our friends in Talanga."
Beth did not have time to submit a biography. In the team meetings, she talked about her interest in helping people and how this will be a change of pace from her usual work in occupational therapy.
Next, we have Pete Matzner. Pete is retired from an extensive career in marketing and sales. Now, he works in various volunteer positions helping people and making a difference in many lives.
In his own words:
"This will be my third trip to Honduras. I
have been blessed in many ways and this is my way of giving back. I
retired early in 2004 and got involved in helping others.
I currently volunteer 4 days a week at a homeless drop in center in the city of
St. Louis. I am going on 4 years and have become part of the homeless
family. Have met and got to know many of the homeless. I enjoy it very
much and it has humbled me in many ways."
Peter will be working as generalist and with Craig on the stove project.
Now, for myself: Blair Milster. I have been your narrator. This is my third trip to Talanga. I will be translating, looking after compressors and other equipment and generally helping where ever I am needed. These trips teach and lead me to give thanks for many things: my family, friends, good fortune and language skills.
Thank you for reading. Please keep us in your prayers.
