Being the Hands and Feet of Jesus
Kristi Heinrich Reeves
Gwyn Reeves, a freshman at San Marcos Adventist Junior Academy in San Marcos, Texas, and probably the youngest volunteer in the dental area, assisted her father, Charles Reeves DDS, during the Pathway to Health Fort Worth three day mega medical clinic.
“What I will remember most about getting to help at this year’s Pathway to Health is the look on the people’s faces as they came in,” Gwyn reflected. “They looked hopeful and were so full of gratitude. It made me glad to know that I helped them feel that way and made me forget about how exhausting the long days were.” Her favorite patient was a six-year-old girl who was pretty nervous about getting a shot to numb the area before her dental procedure but was so brave through the rest of the treatment.
For Charles, getting to work with his daughter was a real treat. “I was worried that it would be too much for her,” Charles shared. “But I saw God use her and she did way more than I thought she would.” Having a heart to serve and assisting with oral surgery are two different things. Assisting in oral surgery would be overwhelming to most, but Charles said, Gwyn did an amazing job.
They were able to treat 16 patients on Wednesday and 14 patients on Thursday with most of it being in oral surgery. “The number of patients we saw was a miracle,” he said. “It was way more patients than I would see in private practice in two days. Being able to serve that many people with my daughter by my side is something I will never forget. I know my daughter’s walk with God was strengthened through this event.”
Another special moment for them was being able to pray with all their patients. “They all seemed very grateful and we got a lot of hugs and smiles,” Charles shared. “Several of them seemed extremely scared and tired but I think through prayer God gave them the courage to have their treatment done by a stranger with only local anesthetic.”
“I wish that I could have taken more time to hear each of my patient’s stories,” Charles said. “But, I had a big concern for the many patients who wanted dental work. I wanted to see as many patients as possible. I am praying that God will help all of those patients I saw feel loved through my treatment and prayers despite the fact that I didn’t talk a lot with them.”
“Thank you to all who coordinated this event and made it possible for us to be the hands and feet of Jesus,” Charles added. “I truly felt His presence everywhere I went throughout the building.”
PC: Josue Murillo
