Snapshot from the Field: Peter Okello
Three days a week Pastor Peter straps his dental chair on his back, gets on his bicycle, and opens a dental clinic in a Ugandan village church. Most of the men, women, and children
who walk miles to get to the clinic have never seen a dentist. At the end of the day, Peter tallies clinic fees and gives a tithe as well as the names of the patients who professed Christ to the local church, so the church can follow-up with each patient.
When Peter was trained by mPower to be a Community Dental Health Worker in 2010, he knew it could impact his ministry. He didn’t know it would lead to founding three new churches.
“From our dental health outreach, we preach the Word of God,” Peter said. “When we help with physical ailments, the person feels well and it grows them near to God. Often they begin to understand and love God because of the healing of their pain.”
In the last four years, Peter’s reputation has spread through communities in Uganda where he is known as kind, gentle, and compassionate. People also know that Peter is a pastor who comes in the name of Christ. In a country where anesthetic is rarely used and people may use forks, knives, and screwdrivers to extract teeth, his skill is in high demand. The local dental officer even sends patients to Peter.”Many patients have been suffering,” Peter said. “They have heard about our care through friends and relatives so we work hard to help them.”
The work in Uganda is self-sustaining as Peter earns enough to support himself and restock dental supplies. In the future, Peter hopes to have further training so he can continue to provide much needed services to his people.
Peter and his wife, Pamela, have seven children, five biological and two who were orphaned by the death of his brother and sister-in-law.
Announcement from the Office
mPower Approach is pleased to announce our new President, Dr. Tim Williams! Tim is a dentist from Knoxville, TN who began doing trips with us several years ago. Welcome, Tim!
