MIRIAM RESUMES DENTAL TRAINING

Miriam, Pastor Gerardo's wife, received her equipment to work as a dental apprentice in Nuevo Progreso.  Here she is with the dentist who volunteers one day a week at the free clinic.  The big green muppet is used in the public schools to demonstrate proper brushing of teeth.

"Learn a profession! Be able to make your own living!" This was the advice Miriam heard over and over from her mother years ago. So Miriam chose to become a dentist, working her way through many years of schooling by baking and selling fruit filled empanadas and other foods in her home state of Nayarit in Mexico. She completed all but a few months when she put the project on hold to become a wife and mother. But her dream of becoming a dentist was never forgotten. "Some day when our children are grown, I’ll finish my schooling," she said.

Now almost twenty years later, Miriam is working as an apprentice alongside a dentist at the free clinic in Nuevo Progreso. This makes it possible for her to earn the remaining credits toward her dental license while working with the people who come to the clinic for help. She will spend one day a week working alongside a dentist. Also, Miriam was asked to visit the schools periodically with a big fuzzy green muppet with a very large mouth and enormous teeth. Using an oversized toothbrush, Miriam demonstrates proper daily dental care to the children. Judging by the twinkle in her eyes when she said this, Miriam will use this opportunity to find a way to tell the children about Jesus and invite them to Sunday School!

When we asked Miriam why she had chosen dentistry as a profession, she said she loves to talk and she can tell her patients about the Lord and give them her personal testimony while they are in her chair. She always thought she could use dentistry as a way to minister to the people.

It’s amazing to think that the Lord has not forgotten Miriam’s commitment all those years ago to this profession. And against all odds, Miriam’s dream is now coming true!

"O Lord God of hosts, who is a strong Lord like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee?" Psalm 89:8