Beyond anything we could do
We had another teenage girl graduating from the orphanage this May who was going to test us all. She had the expected tooth decay and gingivitis, but also something much more serious. She had a very advanced infection that had corrupted her gums, tooth and bone. The pain she must have been experiencing was inconceivable to me. Dr. Ina and Dr. Richard tackled the less pressing problems, slowly working their way to the more serious problem. Once they got working on the infected tooth and area it became obvious that the anesthetics that we had at our disposal would not be effective in the presence of such advanced infection. The root canal had been taken as far as it could. We could not permanently fill the canal and trap the infection. So leaving it partially exposed with a temporary filling was going to be the lesser of two evils, and we still had a pain issue. We couldn't move forward, and we couldn't move backward. Dr. Inna and Dr. Richard had no options left. The three of us discussed the situation in English, a language the young girl could not understand, as she just lay in the chair crying. With this wonderful, modern, mobile dental unit, a host of tools and medicines and two of the finest and experienced dentists we were stymied. There was nothing else we could do. We decided we could only give her antibiotics and Aspirin and see her first when we returned in three weeks. Then Dr. Inna suggested we pray. We each laid a hand on the young girl and Dr. Ina prayed in Ukrainian over her. I suspect this sixteen year old had never had anyone pray over her, had never seen three adults call out to "Bog" (Russian for God) as our only one and true option. What a testimony of faith played out for someone in such great need. When we were done the young girl returned to her room, we regained our composure and returned to work on the next child. Hours later as we were packing up to leave, the young girl appeared. She was smiling and hugged Dr. Ina. Dr. Richard and I stood there open-mouthed not sure what we were seeing. Dr. Inna came to us and said that when the girl got to her room the pain was gone. It had not returned and she was overjoyed. We knew God had touched her and that she would be in great hands until our return.
Dr. Inna and I returned to the orphanage three weeks later to continue the procedure. The infection was gone and Dr. Inna was able to complete the work. The power of prayer is not just our greatest tool but also a powerful testimony to those we are called to serve. The team is in awe of watching God orchestrate each outreach and the lives He is touching.
