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From the President’s Pen
Some years ago I was listening to the musical quiz, ‘My Music’ on the radio, when the next question caused me to listen and think very hard. The chairman said that he had just visited his dentist for his regular check up. His dentist, so he stated, was always having new gadgets in the surgery. On this visit he had installed a pair of headphones for the patients to wear and remove the noise of the drill. The question he posed to the panellist, and I was trying unsuccessfully to get a suitable answer, was what would be the most appropriate music to play through the headphones for the patient to listen too. The members of the panel came up with various suggestions until Frank Muir in his own inimitable way said ‘I suggest a hymn – Abide with me’. There was a short puzzled silence, which Frank Muir broke offering to explain. He said that he was thinking particularly about the lines which were very pertinent for a dental check up or filling –‘Change and Decay all around I see!’
Some weeks ago I was reminded of that when examining a twenty year old, that was literally what I saw. There was no option but to remove all of what was left of his dentition, which consisted of soft carious teeth, roots and fragments of what were self-extractions. Fortunately for the majority of us, we do not see this level of decay on a daily basis, although at the beginning of the NHS it was a very common experience in dental practices. For this young man it was not a case of cost or access – four GDP practices accepting NHS patients within a three-mile radius, a community clinic, a dental postgraduate centre four miles from home and a dental hospital was twenty miles away. For him and his family dental health was not, and never has been, a priority. So when in recent years a severe heroin addiction kicked in, with no pain, teeth, as well as general health were not thought about. The law and cold turkey quickly brought a sense of reality and revealed a host of health problems of which teeth were one.
We are members of a profession which has helped to change the nations teeth so that the state of oral health overall is much improved over the past fifty years. Yes, as the public health dentists love to remind us, there are many reasons for improved oral health. Those of us who have toiled at the enamel face have a part to play in that, and we can take some pride in the achievements. It is certainly more pleasing and fulfilling to see all around health rather than decay. As the state of the nations teeth has changed so to has the profession, and like life has seen rapid change in recent years.
Clinical Governance is the buzz phrase at present and spells change for all of us in every branch of dentistry. Some of the profession, a small percentage, will not change or leave. For the majority we will change since we are in a profession which is constantly changing. It was typified by two 55+ GDP’s who were both very committed to the NHS. One said ‘I have never been on so many post graduate courses and I am really enjoying my dentistry’. The other said, ‘This is it. I have done my stint, missed the children growing up I am certainly not missing the grandchildren – I’m retiring’. Both responses to change were relevant to their individual circumstances and both had assessed their situation and responded accordingly. We take stock regularly and will be encouraged to more frequently in our professional lives; but what about our spiritual lives.
In Charles Wesley’s famous hymn Love Divine, there is a line which states that as Christians we should be ‘Changed from Glory into Glory till in heaven we take our place’. Change is not only part of our natural life but an essential part of our spiritual life, if we are to grow in Christ. How often do we indulge in ‘Spiritual Governance’ to ensure that we have changed and grown in the past year. Clinical Governance is only for our professional lives which may be forty years at the maximum. Spiritual Governance is for much longer – eternity. What are our priorities, and how do we apportion our time and effort?
Change not only affects our profession but at CDF we are looking at ways that we can communicate with each other better, be more effective in our support and help to our colleagues in the UK and overseas and possibly reviving regional meetings. It is only right that at CDF we evaluate our aims and work and prayerfully consider change which will be inevitable.
Please pray for CDF Council in this area and if you have any ideas please share them with us we will be delighted to hear from you.
Stuart
News from Paul Brind on board the Anastasis
‘"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."’
Isaiah 55:8-9
Dear Friends
During the last month the Anastasis has seen a presidential election, a lot of hot weather, several storms, a generator crisis and an engagement.
My girlfriend and fellow dentist, Bethany Hedderly, arrived here in Benin on February 9th 2001 and on March 19th I knelt under a lighthouse on a pier next to a beach and proposed. As you can imagine we have been really busy since that time with arrangements but God has been good and is sustaining and blessing us in many ways.
The Presidential Elections in March were very peaceful. There was a little political unrest from some of the candidates, one of whom pulled out of the final stages, but praise God this did not erupt into any violence and we have been completely safe the whole time. President Matthieu Kerekou has been re-elected, ensuring freedom for the gospel in this country for the next five years. Kerekou is a previous communist who became a Christian several years ago.
One of the great blessings we have on the ship is the air conditioning as the temperature here is around 33° C and very humid. We are able to sleep and cope well each day in our air conditioned ship .... that is until the generators break down and the air conditioning is turned off. We had two days of this in March and very quickly the temperature on the ship began to rise. We all prayed and quickly the problem was fixed. Such things make us appreciate how blessed we are with all of the things God has given us.
Several of you have asked me what I get up to in a normal week. To be honest, a normal week does not exist, but to give you some idea, here's a diary of my last week.
Wednesday April 4th
Woke up at 6:00am, several things to prepare for the dental clinic. Spent the day in Godomey at the dental site filling and extracting teeth. Prayed with each patient and gave them a verse from the Bible. Each patient will also have had dental health education, watched the Jesus film, and heard a message preached at lunch time. In the evening baked an apple pie and ate it with friends.
Thursday April 5th
A usual day out at the dental clinic. I had a visit from one of our dental patients (Benoit) after work. Gave him a tour of the ship. In the evening we had a community meeting (for the whole ship). Don Stephens, the director of Mercy Ships was the speaker.
Friday April 6th
Spent the day in the Operating Theatre. I removed a benign lump from a patient's nose and we placed a skin graft to close the defect. Assisted in two other operations, one of which was removing a large lump from a man's back. Had a quiet evening.
Saturday April 7th
Much of the day spent preparing Bible studies and a sermon for Church the following day. Had a few hours on the beach late afternoon and then out for dinner with eight friends.
Sunday April 8th
Preached in an African church by translation to 250 people on Isaiah 58. Slept for some of the afternoon, then Beth and I spent a few hours with another engaged couple at a beach close to Cotonou.
Monday April 9th
Beth worked in the operating theatres today. I led a Bible study with the dental translators on the Sermon on the Mount followed by a preaching workshop. Many of our dental translators are pastors or involved in teaching others and it is a real privilege to study with them each week. The studies have gone well and this is something that I will miss when we leave here. I am thinking a lot at the moment of ways that this may continue once we leave Benin. In the evening spent some time making wedding preparations and went dancing on Aft deck.
Tuesday April 10th
Another good day out at the dental clinic. More wedding preparations early evening. 7:30pm - Introduction to Missions - a Bible talk, this week on cross-cultural evangelism. Excellent! 9:00pm - "house group" Bible study on Colossians 3.
I hope this gives you a basic idea of a week in Benin. In the midst of all of this is a lot of time spent planning a wedding for the summer, time alone with God, and time with friends, along with all the day to day chores that are a part of life. Throughout, God's goodness is evident and it is a privilege to serve him here.
My Love in our Saviour
Paul
Steven Murphy 
Hi everyone
This is the last time that I will be writing to you as editor of Newsround. From April this year I took over from Ian Wilson as CDF’s student coordinator. Since then I have been trying to juggle both jobs effectively and I am glad to say that Sarah Robertson has agreed to take over the role of editor from the next issue.
Sarah is a recent graduate from Sheffield University and someone I have had the privilege of getting to know over the past year or so. Although she is a very humble and modest person I know that she has made a real impact in many of her colleagues lives, at University and post-graduation. If you read her recent article on the student and young dentist symposium at the October CDF Conference you will realise why we were keen to utilise her literary skills
Sarah Robertson
In all honesty the past year or so has been a lot of fun. I have enjoyed Newsround and the challenges that it brings. The involvement of our administrator, Anne Hallowes, has made the running smooth (although not without its moments). I have also enjoyed my involvement within the Council of CDF. When I was first approached about taking on the job I was asked to come to a few council meetings first. I was quite surprised by just how much CDF does all over the country and was quite unaware at the level of support it gave to missionaries in various parts of the world. Hopefully over the next year Sarah will be attempting to communicate the work that CDF is doing and all that is happening throughout the country.
The last couple of months have been tough. Balancing my practicing life with CDF work and my studying has meant that I have had little time to myself. My relationship with God has not suffered though. He told me early on that he was aware of the pressure I was under and that if I kept my eyes firmly fixed on him I would not falter. If I attempted to try and cope with the stress myself I would quickly sink further and further into trouble. He reminded me of his words in Matthew which say, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest… For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Now that Newsround is passing onto capable shoulders the burden will lessen but I know that I still have to fix my eyes upon Jesus. He is the only place of true rest.
Steven Murphy
Oasis Youth Vocation Programme
The Oasis Trust is a Christian organisation which has been running Gap Year Programmes for young people working alongside local churches in local communities since 1986. In October 2001 they are launching a new initiative called the Oasis Youth Vocation Programme. This offers Christians aged 18-25 the opportunity to take part in a four month workplace experience programme through which they will be able to:
Oasis hopes this will help many young people grow in their faith and be inspired to take up careers in the vocation they experience.
Candidates will be able to offer predicted or actual ‘A’ Level grades as a minimum requirement, and will be responsible for their own costs regarding food, accommodation and travel. They will shadow their Christian mentor for four days a week, and then receive training for one day a week on workplace issues.
Placements will cover the course fees of £500 which covers training, pastoral care and administration costs. This is in recognition of the fact that for four months placements will receive an additional member of the workforce who, even though a trainee, will bring enthusiasm and ability to the placement context.
Oasis will act as a facilitator, providing a dedicated training package compiled by Christians playing a significant role in the marketplace. This will cover areas such as ‘ethics in the workplace’ and ‘witness as a lifestyle’. In addition, each young person will volunteer with Oasis Street Teams once a week, working with the homeless thus gaining a breadth of experience that will help to inform and enhance their time on the Youth Vocation Programme.
Oasis are in the process of securing placement opportunities and would like to hear from any CDF members who would be interested in becoming mentors and providing a placement in the London area. All inquiries to:
Jill Rowe
Youth Action Department
Oasis Trust
115 Southwark Bridge Road
London SE1 0AX
Tel: 020 7450 9030
Email: OasisTrust@compuserve.com
Forty adults and five children gathered at Perth Baptist Church on Saturday 21st April for a Scottish CDF meeting. The worship at the beginning and the end of the day was led by a group of musicians and singers - all dentists in and around Dundee, or students at Dundee Dental School. The Rev. David Clark, Minister of the Steeple Church Dundee, gave an inspiring talk on "the theology of work". No, it wasn't boring! It was a very challenging message from God's word about the problems and the opportunities arising from our work-orientated society. David reminded us that the patterns of work are changing, and that work is a calling but an imperfect experience where Christians could make a difference. He reminded us of the importance of rest in the pattern of God and the function of rest, which is to recover intimacy with God, family and friends. We were also reminded that we need to be affirmed in our calling and to share supportively in the issues we face. Challenging stuff!
Participants contributed to the rest of the programme.
Chris Evans, who made the long trip north, spoke briefly about the CDF and Steven Murphy was on hand throughout the day to chat to students and explore with them ways in which he could support them.
The day ended with thirteen people enjoying fellowship and food at a local Chinese restaurant.
We look forward to renewing friendships at the Scottish CMF / CDF Conference later this year in Glasgow and at the next Scottish CDF meeting next year.
Jill Clark
News from Colin, Ruth and Ryan Flanagan now living in Raxaul, India,
February 2001
"It has all the dirt and none of the charm of the rest of India," says the guide about Raxaul. When we arrived at the end of January, we would have agreed with this statement. Poverty stared us in the face the moment we got off the train. Beggars and disabled people who had nothing, started to pull at us in the hope that we would give them something.
But a week and a half later, we are discovering that this is a generalisation. In the bazaar, which on the surface looks very squalid, you can buy state-of-the-art televisions, sound systems, washing machines and more. Having been told that we could buy very little here, we find that, if you want electrical devices, pretty much anything is available - at a price. There is a huge dichotomy between the very poor and the very rich. Expensive jeeps drive alongside buffalo carts and cycle rickshaws. Beggars sit in the dirt outside a shop selling expensive watches.
Duncan Hospital (where Colin is working) is surprisingly clean, and although it doesn’t have all the facilities we enjoy in the UK, it is efficiently and lovingly managed by nationals who have sacrificed a lot to be here.
Duncan Academy (where Ruth is working) has a good reputation in the area, with children so polite that they stand when you come into the classroom. Despite few resources, they have a good education. Ruth intends to help the principal, Sam, to expand the curriculum and resource the library. He and his wife have already become great friends. They are hoping to extend the curriculum to GCSE standard and need to purchase land to build a science laboratory. Please contact us if you would like to help support this school.
The dreaded train journeys to get here were not as bad as we had anticipated, although it took thirty-seven hours to Goa on a cramped and dirty train. There are mainly three tier bunks so you have about two feet between you and the person above. Hot food comes regularly, and a man brings round tea every forty-five minutes, which is welcome, except as a wake-up call at 6a.m. We thought this was excellent service until we were handed the bill at the end of the journey. Everything had to be chained to the seats - even Ruth, as Ryan sprawled out when sleeping, pushing Ruth off.
We have been made to feel very welcome here. We were met at the station after a twenty-five hour train journey and taken to our very spacious flat which had been cleaned and stocked with soap, towels and….toilet paper! It has three bedrooms, a lounge, dining room and a balcony. The kitchen and bathroom are very spartan and all the floors are concrete. The shower consisted of filling a basin with cold water and using a jug to pour it over us.
The administration staff have been very helpful. We were asked to hand in a list of anything we needed: a telephone, a gas cylinder, a hot water heater and a room heater. Thinking that it would take several months to get these, we were a bit surprised to find that they had all arrived by the end of the day. Try getting that kind of efficient service at home! The same can’t be said for buying a fridge - it finally arrived in time for our house warming (and fridge cooling?) party.
We were quite surprised at the setting up costs for the flat, discovering upon arrival that we needed to buy a gas burner, fridge, cutlery, crockery, electric equipment, bed sheets and pans. At least we did not have to buy the kitchen sink (although they do sell these in the bazaar!).
Work wise, there will be plenty of dentistry for Colin. Within two days of arriving, his next six months were already accounted for. He will be setting up Community Health training, devising and maintaining standards, and writing a new orientation manual, both for dentists and short-term workers. He is also co-leading a dental conference in March. Ruth will be busy in the school and doing hospital administration. In addition, we have also been asked to join the music group and committee.
Ryan is busy entertaining people. He is like a film star here, getting at lot of attention for being a white baby. Cries of "babu" follow him everywhere. We will have to start saying "no" to all the requests for help, so that we can maintain family time. The hot shower, telephone and games ensure that our flat is often full of people.
Thank you for all your prayers and support. We already feel at home here, for which we are so thankful. We praise God for the:
Please pray for:
The Flanagans may be contacted at: Duncan Hospital, Raxaul, East Champaran District, Bihar, India 845305. Email: crflanagan@ireland.com
A good number of families gathered at the home of Peter and Alison Thornley on March 31st to hear Maggie Leonard tell of her experiences a year or so before in the southern Sudan. She was there doing a dental survey for the Swiss based Medair missionary organisation. Maggie had already done something similar in Afghanistan some years before.
Clearly it is a difficult situation in that region of the Sudan with very little trained help. Local tooth-pullers do operate occasionally but without anaesthetic and with non-sterile instrumentation. As in Uganda and other areas (canine) tooth buds are removed early in an attempt to remove these "worms" which "cause" diarrhoea. The people are very impoverished, have very little in the way of goods and in some areas cannot afford clothes. They suffer from the results of the civil war; some are refugees and depend on help from the UN.
Maggie showed several slides of the people and the conditions. She herself slept in a mosquito protected tent inside a mud-hut, which even had a door, because she was a Westerner. Maggie showed us the simple shower that had been rigged up and the basic toilet facilities. She explained that for several months it was very wet and so difficult to get about and for six months it was very dry and then became a dust bowl.
Maggie had been planning to train some medical assistants to do simple dentistry. However she caught typhus and typhoid fever and was air-lifted to Nairobi and finally home to the UK in a weak state. Thank God now she is now fit and well and works in a PDS in Shropshire.
The children all played happily together while we listened to Maggie. Later on the sun shone and they enjoyed jumping on the trampoline in the garden.
We valued meeting up again and sharing fellowship, and thank Peter and Alison for their hospitality.
Calling all CDF members and friends in the West Midlands
CDF Sponsored Clinical Meeting
Tuesday November 13 2001
Birmingham Dental Hospital
6:00 pm Buffet
6:30 pm Clinical meeting
Dr Nick Adams to speak on the Restorative-Endodontic Interface followed by informal talk about the work of the Gideons.
Please make every effort to come yourself and invite as many of your dental friends and colleagues to come also.
A number of us will meet at Peter and Alison Thornley’s home on Saturday September 22 to pray about and for the above meeting.
Ian Knowles