“More than Broken Teeth”
The mission trip overseas was going as planned; children were pasting together papers shaped as fish and bread to learn about Jesus’ miracles. We were eating rice and beans, beans and rice and our skin wreaked of sweat and Germ-x. Every day we told stories of Jesus’ miracles through crafts and organized what felt like a herd of cats during game time.
I vividly recall a girl standing nearby watching our activities. Her complexion was dark, her eyes were fiercely green and her lips pressed tightly together as she attempted a smile. A friend of mine also noticed this lonely girl nearby.
My friend and I approached her to say hello and ask for her name. A strong Dominican accent rolled off her tongue as she pronounced it “Powla”. Back home we would lose the flare with our country accents and say “Paula”.
The conversation with Paula revealed her age, her family life, our names and somehow….my profession-a dental hygienist. Paula’s eyes no longer beamed radiance, but brimmed sadness. She revealed her mouth ached daily, almost every moment. Shifting my eyes to her mouth, I motioned for her to smile. The movement of her plump lips away from each other revealed broken teeth, everywhere.
The depth of destruction in this fourteen-year-old’s mouth would deem her an upper and lower denture in America. I was lost on where to begin in a third world country.
But as we stood before her my heart seemed to push my eyes beyond the matter at hand. I sensed there was more to this moment than just broken teeth. I meekly proceeded with, “We pray to Jesus for all types of miracles such as cancer and illness. Let us pray for your mouth and His healing power.” With no medicine available at the moment, and no dental tools in sight, we called upon Jesus to consume Paula’s mouth with the sweet healing ointment of simply Himself.
After the prayer a question kept lingering in my mind, as well as my friend’s, did she know Jesus? We decided to follow up…”Hey Paula, do you know Jesus?”
Her response, “Sometimes at night when I cry I sense Jesus is holding me.”
Oh how surprised we were to realize this was not just about broken teeth, but a broken heart as well.
Paula decided to accept Jesus into her heart that day. She learned that Jesus could be an active part of every step she took, not just when she cried. He would bring joy and fulfillment to her heart that nothing of this world ever could. It is a joyful memory that is dear to our hearts.
I still think of “Powla”. It has been seven years since that moment. I returned two years later to the area in hopes of finding her but was unsuccessful and experienced my own heart breaking. But God reminds me of the seed planted that day as He prompts me to speak her name in my prayers. He also reminds me of His purpose that day beyond the initial concern of teeth. It was so much more than just broken teeth; Paula needed prayer for her broken heart and to learn more about Jesus.
I do not tell this story to draw your attention to the location of the event; mission trips are adventurous opportunities, but Godly encounters can occur anywhere. The Paula story mainly reminds us to look past the concern at hand. Think of a time you talked with someone that had a need. Have you ever sensed God pressing you to go beyond the ‘surface talk’? We may become hesitant to become bold in fear of awkwardness, but it’s safe to say the prompting within is from The Lord.
My point is this, look beyond the random encounter. Wake up each day asking God how you can encourage those around you. Fix your attitude on the bigger picture in this life; the souls that need the fulfillment of Jesus. Consider their hearts and ask God to reveal what He wants you to do as life’s moments surface. It may be an encouraging prayer or a life changing moment for you and them both. Plant the seed in the God-given moment or be a part of watering one someone else planted. 🌱
