Tonga Dental Clinic

While we were in Tonga we visited the Church-sponsored dental clinic which is on the Liahona (church school) Campus.  This dental clinic is quite unique.  Due to the poor dental care the people had been receiving -  because they would not visit a local dentist and because they did not have money, a dental clinic was opened on the campus.  The clinic has been operating for more than five years now.  Retired dentists are called on missions, and serve without pay for 18 to 23 months to provide dental care to the people on the island.  There is no charge for people who come to the clinic.  Each morning the clinic has a line going out the door and the dentist with his assistant (his wife) go to work.  They serve members and non-members alike.  At the present the missionary dentist is Elder Bruce Beckstrand and his wife, Sister Debi Beckstrand of Fillmore, Utah. They are doing a wonderful job and the people love them.

Elder and Sister Beckstrand

The clinic has mostly new and modern equipment.  Occasionally they have volunteer dentists and dental workers that come for a few weeks and help them with their case load.

The clinic is appreciated by all who receive service.  Even the Prince has visited the clinic to get his dental work done.  One of the main reasons for the clinic was to get the young prospective missionaries' dental work done before they go on their missions.  Prior to the Church opening this clinic, young missionaries from Tonga would arrive at the MTC in New Zealand and need to have extensive dental work done before they could actually begin their missions.  

Here is a story which Elder and Sister Beckstrand shared with us:

"Over the past ten months that we have been directors of the Liahona Dental Clinic here in Tonga, we have come across many dear people that have touched our lives.  One group of young men, who we call our modern day "Strippling Warriors" have done just that.  Our first priority in the dental clinic is to get all of our pre-missionaries dentally ready to serve.  We got acquainted with this group of young men while fixing their dental needs.  They were so grateful for the help that they received.

Each of these young men have a story to tell that is less than favorable.  All come from broken families, kicked out of their home at ages 12 - 13 and started living on the streets -- using and selling drugs for survival.  They were involved in gangs and fighting, imprisioned, watch friends die and felt that no one cared or loved them.  A former young bishop found these boys and took them into his home, loved them and taught them there was a better way to live through the gospel.  Through the love of this former young bishop and his wife and the love of our Heavenly Father for these young men, they have changed their lives and are worthy and ready to serve a mission.  Their testimonies are rock solid and they want to share the love of the gospel with others.  They are so grateful for repentance.

Some of these have received their mission calls and some are still waiting to receive them.  We just sent one of our "Strippling Warrior" missionaries last week to the Philippines.

A few weeks ago, just before Christmas, the bishop and these young men invited their families to come to a reunion to be reunited with them.  Some of the young men had not seen their families for years.  They prepared a big feast and we were invited to be the guests of honor.  What a blessing it was for us to experience this.  Unfortunately some of their families did not come, but many did.

After the big feast, the bishop had each young man bear their testimonies to their families and then those family members who wanted also shared their testimonies.  Many tears were shed between family members and years of broken hearts began to mend.

These young men are physically, mentally and spiritually strong and will be great missionaries throughout the world.  We are so glad to be a part of their lives.  

We love serving the Tongan people.  We have had many priceless experiences since we have served here.  We work very hard, but what blessings we receive. "

Modern Day Strippling Warriors

 "And they were all young men, and they were exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity, but behold, this was not all - they were men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted."   (Alma 53:20)