Sept-Oct 2024 Update - Dental Clinics

Kia Ora Everyone,

I have settled right into life here in NZ, and seen God open doors only He can! I'll share more later, but in these last few months God has made it clear that I'm where I'm meant to be, doing what I'm meant to be doing with Him! What a joy it's been to join God in the ways He's moving in this nation!

I first wanted to share about the Dental Clinics I've been apart of recently!

Dental Clinics - Sitting with the One

I've helped at 2 different dental clinics so far. This has looked like helping in admin and reception, and having conversations with people before their treatment. I've loved the simplicity of sitting with people, connecting and sharing our stories and getting to talk about the hope of Jesus!

There were 2 moments that really stood out to me during these clinics:

• I got to chat with a young woman as she waited for her appointment. She shared her story of horrific domestic abuse she has recently come out of. She nearly lost her life, and I held back tears as she poured out the pain of what she went through. Her kids were taken away, and she had turned to drugs and alcohol to numb the pain.

  
  

  As she shared, I felt God asking me to share the gospel with her!

  She went in to get treatment, and when she came out she had tears in her eyes! One of our team had prayed with her and she said she felt a deep love and peace that brought her to tears. I then went on to share the gospel with her and some of my story of how Jesus changed my life.

  
  

  She was so open, and although she didn't grow up knowing about Jesus, she shared that she really does see there's something bigger than her because she's begun seeing open doors and her life changing for the better. That week was the first time she got to see her kids again, she's safe in a woman's refuge, clean from drugs and alcohol and has just begun a social work degree. She said this dental care was also a way for her to reclaim her dignity and what had been taken from her.

  
  

  I could just see the timing of God in meeting her at this time! I encouraged her that God is already moving in her life and that He truly loves her and has a good plan for her life- And that He wants her to know Him!

  
  

  She shared the following with me:

"I feel so much love and peace in this place (clinic) and from all the people here. It's actually overwhelming. I can't believe there are people out there who do this". 

Her story touched my heart so deeply. Then to see God open her heart to the gospel and the touch of His presence was beautiful! God's love and pursuit of people is just amazing! And I love that I get to be apart of what He's doing in people's hearts!

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• A young Mum walked in, and as she sat down after checking in, I felt God nudging me to sit with her. We began to talk, and I could see she was distressed. We generally set up clinics within church buildings and she opened up that she had high anxiety being in the church because of past hurt. Her hands were shaking from the anxiety. We ended up talking for 1.5 hours.

  
  

  She shared her story, her past experiences and what she hoped for the future. We talked about the hurt she had, I shared my testimony and the hope and life I found in Jesus, and got to talk about what relationship with God was like. I then got to pray for her. I could see her relax over that conversation, and she shared though she had some belief, she only came to God when things were tough but she now wanted to spend actual time with God. I felt so thankful for that conversation, and seeing God's peace and love begin to touch her heart.

These stories are close to my heart, but there were so many more stories. It's incredible seeing people come out of treatment with beaming smiles free of pain and shame, and then sharing our lives/stories with each other and the hope of Jesus that we carry!

Sitting with people during these clinics has reminded me very much of how Jesus would stop for the one in the Bible. There were many instances where He stopped to help someone, to see someone, and talk to someone. I've seen the beauty of doing just that, and how much God can do through being a loving listening ear, and simply sitting with someone showing them the truth that they are loved and seen!

Our dental clinics serve a variety of communities, including people from NZ gangs, women refuges, homeless shelters and more!

I normally wouldn't get a chance to have connection with most of these people, but these dental clinics have opened such a special opportunity to reach all kinds of people with the love of Jesus! It's been the greatest privilege to serve these communities with free dental care, and Jesus' love!

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There is so much that has happened over these months, and I am excited to share all about it soon! I'm just blown away by how God brings things together and guides our steps with such intentionality and perfect timing!

I'll upload more soon about how God has been weaving my story in NZ and the things He is leading me into!

But until then,

Know the Lord loves you deeply!

Much love to you all :)

Naomi