Students for International Mission Service (SIMS)

Outlook 2001

Bolivia
Ronald Fritz, DDS
Dental public health
SAC–Norton Clinic

LLU touches the heart of South America

Excitement was running high on the morning of Sunday, June 18, 2000, as the SIMS group of
students and faculty from the Schools of Dentistry, Medicine, and Public Health boarded American Airlines for the flight to Miami, and then overnight, on to La Paz, Bolivia. No one knew much about this intriguing country, except for our group leaders, Anita and Randy Roberts, but they were already there. We had no idea what was in store for us, but SIMS had chosen Bolivia as our destination and for all of us to represent LLU during a two-week stay to provide much-needed health services from June 19 to July 2—winter in Bolivia. And what a tremendous experience it turned out to be as we discovered the unique people, the places, and the culture of Bolivia.

We had our headquarters at Universidad Adventista de Bolivia or UAB (Adventist University of Bolivia). The feeling each got was that people went out of their way to make sure we felt taken care of, and received a good impression of the University and Bolivia. Rector pastor Franz Rios, and vice rector Eduardo Enriquez, MD, were full of energy and always ready to help.
The dental team of eight decided the offer of the student health infirmary was the best place for our clinic to function. We found a pump dental chair in one corner which worked well so that, along with the two modified chaise folding dental chairs and one gurney, it gave four operatories in which to treat patients. None of the students (dental, medical, or public health) expected to see such severe health problems and living conditions, and damaged dentition and lack of dental health information for prevention of the same. Everyone realized this is practicing exactly what our Example did while on this earth, as suffering, pain, and disease were relieved. The touching of lives by the healing hands of the team affected both giver and receiver to be sure. The agile fingers of the Right Arm of the gospel were gently touching the heart of South America in front of my eyes, and in an impressive way, were also getting into the lives of these dear people in a way nothing else can.

These are the quality people Loma Linda has for students and representatives to the world. You would have been proud of them all, and they are to be applauded for their unselfish giving, their receptive approach to a new culture, and their optimistic attitude in and out of the clinical setting.

As Anita Roberts reported on her involvement with these outpost medical clinics:

"First, I just wanted to express deep gratitude to all the students and faculty that made the SIMS Bolivia 2000 a reality."

After living with these beautiful people for two weeks, departure was extremely difficult. Tears flowed freely as we said "adios" (literal translation, "to God").

It is difficult to measure or explain the depth of the impact the Bolivian experience made on all
concerned. We do know that a permanent mark was made in the hearts of the givers and the receivers. None concerned will ever be the same again. Our goal was realized, as stated by Chancellor Hart at the Student for International Mission Service chapel in February of last year: "Go to the people. Live among them, learn from them, love them. Start with what they know; build on what they have, and, as with the greatest of leaders, when our work is done, the people will say ‘we have done it ourselves.'" At one morning worship, Kyung Chung, a dental student, reminded us that "it is the heart that makes a man rich: A man is rich according to what he is, not according to what he has." Indeed, this was a rich and enriching experience. Another truth was realized as we finished and left Bolivia for LLU: "People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care."

[Outlook 2001]

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