Welcome to Caring Partners International's E-Newsletter
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Building Smiles!
...Bringing Hope & Happiness to Guatemala
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Dental ministry on the mission field can be a great challenge. So many people around the world lack even the most basic preventative dental care that mission field dentistry focuses almost entirely on pulling out teeth rotted by cavities. This fact often leaves many people, both young and old, with a mouth full of missing teeth, leading to nutritional challenges and low self-esteem. It can be hard to smile when you are embarrassed and ashamed of your appearance!
Internationally, most people have no access to denture services, nor could they afford them, even if they were available. By God’s grace, Caring Partners International (CPI) & Sembradores de Vida Church were able to partner together earlier this month to provide the gift of new smiles to several villagers in Veramina, Guatemala.
Guatemalan Pastor & Dentist Dr. Fernando Marroquin and U.S. Dentist & CPI Board Member Dr. Alex Gamber had served together the past few years with CPI healthcare teams in the village of Veramina, Guatemala. Dr. Marroquin had a burden to return to Veramina for a special dental clinic, to prepare dentures for several of the villagers. Dr. Gamber also wanted to minister in this way, so the two dentists carved some special time out of their busy schedules to focus on this mission.
The first day of the dental clinic in Veramina began with the two dentists preparing dental impressions for each of their patients. Then the hard work began, as the two men worked well into the dark of night to painstakingly create each denture by hand.
Dr. Adam Reed, CPI Missionary & President, opened up the second day of clinic with prayer, and a challenge to each patient that their free dentures were not gifts from CPI nor Sembradores de Vida, but from God. Dr. Marroquin then presented a clear presentation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to each patient, in their own language, leading two patients to accept Christ as their Lord & Savior. What a glorious start to a day of miracles!
Then the fitting of the dentures began. Most patients didn’t even want to smile for the camera prior to receiving their dentures, almost all covered their mouths with their hands, and turned their heads away, as to hide themselves. What a thrill for each one to look at their “after” photos, and witness the total transformation of their appearance – to God be the glory!
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek, …to bind up the brokenhearted;…to give unto them beauty for ashes,…that He might be glorified.”
Isaiah 61:1-3
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Photos, Clockwise from Top: Dr. Marroquin & Dr. Gamber, creating each denture plate by hand, 2) Dr. Gamber making an initial dental impression, 3) Dr. Adam Reed & CPI Guatemalan National Director Helmuth Marroquin 4) A Table full of Teeth!
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In The News -
CPI National Director
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The healthcare ministry of Caring Partners International is growing rapidly around the globe, and one reason is the addition of our National Directors. These Directors are missionaries and pastors that live in some of the countries where Caring Partners ministers, and they are helping our healthcare ministry "go deeper" into each of the communities where we serve.
Helmuth & Olga Marroquin are CPI's National Directors in Guatemala. Next Friday, March 1st, CPI is taking a healthcare mission team to Guatemala, serving with a new church partner, located outside of the city of Fraijanes. Helmuth & Olga made the connection for our ministry with this church partner. The congregation is excited to have the opportunity of hosting a healthcare clinic, to meet the physical needs of their neighbors, and to take the lead in reaching their community for Jesus Christ!
The photo above shows Helmuth conducting a training class for the congregation of the church in Fraijanes. For several weeks now, Helmuth & Olga have visited the church each Wednesday night, discussing the logistics of the clinic, and the church's role in its planning and preparation.
The photo shows Helmuth talking to those in the Fraijanes church interested in serving in the "Clinic of the Soul", the heartbeat of each CPI clinic, where the local congregation sits down with every patient and shares the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Helmuth is conducting "role-play" training sessions with the congregation; one person playing the role of the patient, the other sharing the Gospel. Its been a time of excitement, growth, a bit of anxiety, and even some laughter as the congregation has dug into the Scriptures, shared together, and bounced ideas off of each other as they strive to fulfill 1 Peter 3:15,
"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man..."
Our ministry praises God for the efforts of Helmuth & Olga, as their evangelistic training will leave a long term impact with our church partner in Fraijanes, long after our healthcare clinic is passed.
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Come To CPI's April 11th Banquet & Silent Auction!
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On Thursday, April 11
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, Caring Partners will host its Annual Banquet, held once again at the Savannah Center in West Chester, Ohio.
This year’s theme is “Living on Purpose”, and the event will feature video clips and testimonies from several CPI volunteers, missionaries, and travelers who have discovered their God-given purpose by serving through CPI’s healthcare ministry. Christian recording artists “My Brother’s Keeper” will also perform.
Please Support Our Sponsors!
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Roy W. Cline, Founder & Chairman Emeritus
Dr. Daniel Love, Chairman
Dr. Adam Reed, President & Director of Missions
Rhonda J. Reed, Executive Director
Andrew Wienhoff, Director of Mission Resources
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Rick Lalli, Director of Ministry Development
Jon & Karen Lambert, Mission Directors
Helmuth & Olga Marroquin, Directors, Guatemala
Bill Wienhoff, Financial Administrator
Kathy Ridenour, Executive Assistant
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The Board Members and Staff of Caring Partners would like to THANK YOU for your PRAYERS and FINANCIAL SUPPORT for this ministry. Our PARTNERSHIP enables the Gospel message to be shared throughout the world!
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Caring Partners International, Inc.
937-743-2744 or 800-472-2744
Fax: 937-743-2749
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