It all started almost 11 years ago…. In the winter of 1999, my long time friend and former co-worker, Albert Garcia called about a medical mission trip to the city of Nueva Rosita in Northern Mexico. He informs me that he does not have a dentist for the trip. Could I possibly find one? I asked him when the trip was scheduled. In three weeks, I was told. I just laughed and told him he was asking for the impossible. Dentists cannot rearrange their schedule that quickly. But Albert is a very close friend, and you will do things for such individuals….

I told him I would speak with my friend, Dr. Teri White. If she was willing to go on such short notice, I would go too. Teri is in a dental practice with her husband, so she committed to go on the trip short with such short notice. Mori would cover for her somehow. I called Albert back. He was thrilled. He had another question. Could I find a doctor for the medical mission? I totally went off on Albert. I asked him how he planned to host medical clinics without a dentist or a doctor. Of course at that point I knew I had been conned. Thankfully Dr. Helen Chiou agreed to accompany us on very short notice. Albert was passionate about reaching out to that particular community because of family ties. He knew that his good friend John Knox would work out the details.

We started making a few phone calls. I promoted the trip in the church bulletin. In a very short time, we had 20 people signed up for the impromptu trip. I received a call a few days later from a nurse named Cheryl Siders. She wanted to join us. She also knew a young man who was completing his residency in family practice. He too would like to join us. I met Jason Ray the day we left for Nueva Rosita.

It was a great trip that year. Teri White discovered that she was expecting a child not long before the scheduled departure, so Mori ended up going in her place in 1999. Teri’s initial enthusiasm set the wheels in motion for a decade of such efforts. Jason Ray finished his residency in family practice. He has not missed a medical mission trip to Mexico with us since that time. His wife, Kathy, is also a physician. She has joined us on several of these outreaches. In fact, Kathy is accompanying us on this trip.

There has been a trip to some location in Mexico every year since 1999. We have taken dozens of medical professionals and a lot of willing volunteers too! Dr. Chris Cheyne added a great dimension to the mission by offering optometry services. Dr. Elizabeth Berry, Dr. Robert Lepard, and Dr. Mike McCoy have all offered dental services along with Drs. Teri and Mori White. Elizabeth’s husband, Dr. Jason Berry, has graciously covered their dental practice in her absence for a number of years now. Dr. Chiou and Drs. Kathy and Jason Ray have also been tremendous assets over all of these years.

How many people have been seen in the clinics over this ten year period? I wish now I had better records. I would venture to say that the clinics have hosted close to 5,000 people at this point. It all started with Albert’s passion for a group of people and Dr. Teri’s willingness to be very spontaneous and enthusiastic about working with a couple of nuts like Albert and myself. This is the first year that Albert has not been a part of this trip. I feel a little bit like a pouting 4 year old whose best friend cannot attend his birthday party. I miss Albert. He will be anxious to hear all of the details. I can’t wait to see who might join us in future years! To God be the glory!