"To make Gods Children smile again." This is my inspiration. My first ever medical mission trip started in 2016 to Haiti. Here, I caught my first glimpse of dental outreach in action. During that trip, I met a man. He was tan and skinny, but he had a smile on his face. I was tasked to check his teeth and when I did, my heart broke. There was so much damage and I knew that he would most likely loose all his teeth in a matter of months. When I broke the news to him, I expected heartbreak and sadness, but what I got back was not something I expected. Instead of anger or frustration, he met my response with a smile, and even asked when we would return. This joy confounded me. He was still happy despite his circumstances. This defiance in the face of so much hardships, lit a spark in my heart and yearning to want to come back and help those who had no one to turn to. That spark started me on a journey that I couldn't imagine. Today, I have worked in the dental field for the last nine and half years doing almost every job short of being a dentist and soaking up dental knowledge like a sponge. About four years ago, that work experience got called into action. I was invited on an international medical mission to Guatamala, but instead of volunteering, I was asked to lead it. Normally this position was given to a doctor due to the extensive knowledge it required, but yet it was given to someone who was just a servant, a dental assistant. This realization both humbled and amazed me. Just months before, I had met the exact people that had the resources to make a trip like this possible. This brought me even to a greater realization that maybe there was a higher power in all that was happening. From that trip, blossomed opportunity after opportunity. Today, I have helped to lead over six international mission dental efforts all around the world. With the help and support of non-profit organizations and providers such as nurses, hygienists and dentists, we have been able to provide free medical and dental care to people in Guatamala, Panama, Dominican Republic, Belize and Fiji (2x). For each of these trips, the funds came together, the red tape was cut, and peoples lives were forever changed. These opportunities, not only continued to amaze me, but made me stand in awe. When I look back on my life, I can see that there was someone preparing me. For the longest time, I told myself that I could never reach for the highest heights. I settled for what I thought I deserved, but slowly God began challenging my thinking. He showed me what he was capable of doing, and how he could use me to transform the lives of others. This realization just humbled me more and more. Six months ago, I stepped down from my job and started pursing my dream of becoming an aspiring dentist. Today, I am in school taking classes towards becoming that aspiring dentist. I am also reminded that, "What is impossible for man is possible with God." - Matthew 19:26. My hope and prayer is serve Gods children in the mission field as a dentist and to see them smile once again. "In a world where kindness can pull someone back from the edge, a smile is the hope that can turn a life around."-JS Below is a link to pictures of my mission endeavors. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1t1cEZQw0imhlxSMK6ev4rE3Nf5DJnv5R/view?usp=sharing