15th Smiles for Life Dominican Republic Humanitarian Expedition

Comment by Michele Yvette Williams on September 5, 2011 at 4:59pm

My prayer is that the blessings of God overflow for all you in your commitment to serving others! May these life-changing experiences be the catalyst needed to make a difference in your return home. We can't wait to join you next year!!!

Comment by Graham Anderson on September 5, 2011 at 11:27am

Great work everybody! Thank you for your service this week. What an incredible experience.

Comment by Greg Anderson on September 5, 2011 at 7:19am

Day 3

Today was a great day. It was our travel day.

We started yesterday in Santo Domingo and are working

the next four days starting tomorrow in Puerta Plata which is

five hours North of where we are. It is actually a really perfect day

to have a break. The first day is always a little overwhelming

and a lot to take in. It is nice for everyone to process

what we will be doing and to get themselves in the

mindset of the next four days so they can go hard and give

it all they have got. We had a few extra hours this morning for

anyone who was interested to attend their church of worship.

The picture below is of the Mormon Temple where a group of us

went to visit after service.

Then we headed to Puerta Plata with a stop at Boca Marina
Restaurant for a wondeful lunch. Boca Marina is a beautiful
restaurant right on the pier with gorgeous clear blue water and
great food.

Justin and Jocelyn at the restaurant

Roy Hammond, Our Chief, convinced myself and my husband to go
with him for a water weiner ride while waiting for our lunch.
It was a blast!

A picture of everyone in the bus at the end of the five hour
ride.

When we arrived at our hotel Barcelo Premium we met with everyone
before dinner to meet the Dominican Hygienists and Dominican Dentists
that will be working with us all week.

Then Marisa and Shane, from our
Esperanza group gave us the whole background of Esperanza and what
they do and who they are. They talked about the Microfinancing they
do for the little tow

Comment by Dennis Lynn Hetland on September 4, 2011 at 4:18pm

Keep up the great work. It's fun to watch what is happening as we anticipate doing the same trip next year. Look forward to hearing more.

Comment by Kenneth Hovden on September 4, 2011 at 9:49am

Looks like a great group-Charlie and family good to see you are back at it- wish I was there to join you. Enjoy your time- I know my trip a few years ago was a highlight for myself and my daughter!

Comment by Stuart B. Anderson on September 4, 2011 at 8:02am

Thanks everyone for your service! Annie, you are taking great pictures with your new camera.

Comment by Greg Anderson on September 4, 2011 at 7:57am

Annie. You're doing a fabulous job with the Blog. Thanks for the great photos and the enthusiasm we can see and feel from all of you. Thanks to the entire group for your tireless service!

Comment by CROWN COUNCIL on September 4, 2011 at 7:46am

Day 2

Today we served in a little town called Los Casaves in

North Santo Domingo. The first day is always the hardest

and takes a while to get everyone used to everything. Our group

jumped right in and we were set up and running long before

we thought we would be. It was so special to see the strong

teamwork from the first minute we walked into the school we

were at until the last table and garbage bag was taken out at the

end. It was fantastic! In the end we were able to help

104 patients. We did cleanings, fillings, extractions, a

few root canals, and some bridges. It was a great day.

Our morning huddle. The word of the day was FRIENDSHIP

Angel, Josie, and Ellie

Glenda Hammond

Melanie, Tyler, and Tayva getting ready for their

first patient

Sandi and Allison working their tails off. They never stopped.

It was so impressive to see their hardwork.

Jocelyn also was amazing and helped so many

Dr. Maria, Brett, and Tayva

Pam cleaning teeth. Also making people smile as usual

Juston and I during the hour long thunderstorm after lunch

The Culture club working their magic to keep everyone happy

Aren't these faces adorable?

Juston playing ball with the boys

Rosa and Austin with the kids

Justin comforting this little guy who was getting

extractions. His little tears are streaming down his face but

he was brave and got through it.

And lastly, Josie and her new little friend who she sat with

while she got an extraction and was scared to death. Josie held her

hand through the whole thing and it was honestly the sweetest thing

you have ever seen. Her dad is in the picture as well.

Comment by CROWN COUNCIL on September 4, 2011 at 7:42am

Day 1

It's finally here! We all made it safely to Santo Domingo today

and are all geared up and ready to start our first clinic tomorrow.

We arrived in a few separate groups and all met up tonight at dinner

with our friends from Esperanza. It was a great night for everyone

to meet and learn more about what we will be doing. I can tell this

group will be fabulous and everyone is so ready to get started.

Meet our September 2011 Group

Dr. Chris Hoyal and his darling family are back for their third

trip. He has his two daughters, Christa and Tayva, and then three

of his granchildren, Tyler, Jenna, and Melanie.

The wonderful Dr. Maria Ambrosio from New Jersey

Our predental Student Brett Rappleye who is currently

going to school at BYU Idaho.

Our adorable friends from Logan, Utah. Justin and Jocelyn Hamilton.

Jocelyn is a Hygienist and Justin is a fluent Spanish speaker.

Monique Henderson and her son Conner. Conner will be leaving on

an LDS mission to Washington State the week we get home. We are glad

he is spending his last few days with us

The darling Webb family. Angel is Roy Hammond's daughter and

this is her family. She has been on several trips and so has her family.

I can't remember the exact amount. Matt is her husband, along

with Ellie, Coleman, Josie, and Collin

Dr. Amy Horton and her wonderful team from Dallas Texas.

This is their first trip and they raised a lot of Smiles for Life money

to be here. In no particular order, Dr. Amy, Rosa Fuentes, Sandi

Herrera, Alissia Taylor, Brittiny Trevino, Kristina Cogb

Back for I'm pretty sure his third trip maybe fourth is Dr. Charlie

Schneider. He has brought his two daughters Mackenzie and Lindsay,

and our friend Austin Tess. Austin came last year with his Spanish class

as a translator so we are happy to have them all back again.

Annie and Juston Puchar and the beautiful Pam Peterson. Excited

to be back.

15th Smiles for Life Dominican Republic Humanitarian Expedition

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Day 3

Day 2

Day 1