Bridge Builders International
We build living bridges to Latvia...in Latvia...and from Latvia
An Interveiw by Chuck Kelley
RIGA, Latvia – Hello! Dear Sir! Dear Miss! Thank you for help! It is very kind of you. Thank you for your attention! Thank you. thanks! Thank you for the advice. Thank you! Thanks! of tooth to new. Thank you! Thanks! Thank you for help! Good luck! I wish you all the best, you and everybody with you Thank you! Thank you! Good luck, have a nice trip! you and everybody with you.
What an amazing thank you letter! It was written by an elderly Latvian woman after her teeth were skillfully cared for by Dr. Dan White and his two assistants, Kaylee and Beth, from Golden, Texas. They recently completed a two week dental mission trip to Latvia where they set up dental chairs in five cites - Talsi, Tukums, Daugavpils, Tilza and Krisjauniem. 
In each city they were hosted by local churches or ministries.
During this nine longs day of patient care they treat about 225 people. The youngest was 4 or 5 and the oldest was 80. Besides filling countless cavity ridden teeth, they performed more than 100 extractions, including some complicated wisdom teeth. One lady had nine teeth removed one day, and was so pleased that she came back the next day to have nine more removed. And she was even happier!
Pastor Kaspars Donis of Tilza was very happy to host Dr. White again this year. He believes in providing ‘head to feet’ ministry for those in his little town. He had the blessings of the mayor and the assistance of the town’s social workers and cooks. “It’s a very good way to go to the community...loving God and giving a hand to the neighbor.”
Dr. White has been doing short term dental mission trips for many years. His first trip was to the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas near Mexico. “Dental work open doors to bring the Gospel to the community.” His first dental mission to Latvia was in 1999 and he has returned every year except one, when he 
decided to have open heart surgery instead.
He loves coming to Latvia to do this ministry. “I get more energized here than at home. It is God’s grace.”
Back in 1999, a faithful supporter of Bridge Builders International donated enough funds to purchase a portable dental chair and the treatment equipment. Over the years another chair and dental kit has been added. They are hoping that a portable dental Xray machine will be provided in the future.
Beth and Kaylee will never forget those two weeks. “I was so surprised,” said Beth, “that the people were so warm and welcoming. I felt so at home. I truly did have such an amazing time in Latvia. It was such a blessing for me to be there. I think I gained a far greater blessing from the people than they received from me. I met so many wonderful, sweet people.”
Dr. White, Kaylee and Beth were interviewed by Chuck Kelley in the Partners office in Riga on July 16th.
Dr. Dan and the Golden Girls
2 August 2010
“One lady had nine teeth removed one day, and was so pleased that she came back the next day to have nine more removed. And she was even happier!”
Outreach and Mercy
Here Kaylee and Dr. White are working on gentleman who had to have two root tips extracted. It was Kaylee's first time to be a dental assistant. She was excited!
This is Kimmy and it took a long time to convince her to get in the chair. But she finally agreed and was happy with the results.
This little girl’s name is Katie. After she was treated...and happy about it...she helped hold the light while her grandmother was treated.
When the team returned to Riga, they stayed at the BBI/Partners office. From left to right: Dr. White, Kaylee, Beth and Tilza pastor, Kaspars Donis.
Chuck Kelley took them on a walking tour of the Old City. Here Beth and Kaylee are in front of the Monument of Liberty.
It was a hot and humid day so it didn’t take long before there was an ice cream break.
Kaylee is practicing an old Latvian legend. The railing on this tiny bridge is filled with padlocks inscribed with the names of newlyweds. The tradition is that after you lock the lock on the railing, if you want your love to last, you must remain quiet until you are off the bridge.
We were all amused when Beth put a coin in the hat in front of the mime who immediately sprung to life and examined her manicure!
A picture paints...
This little girl is Anna. Her father is the Russian pastor in Daugavpils. She could barely speak any English, but she constantly wanted to be around Beth and Kaylee and always had a hug for them. She told her sister that she wanted to come to America with Beth and Kaylee and learn to be a dentist.
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