"Smiles Restored in Bolivia: MMI Dental Team Brings Health Care for Lasting Change."
In April 2025, Medical Ministry International partnered with the Centro de Atención de Ancianos Vida Feliz (Senior Care Centre “Happy Life”) in El Torno, Bolivia, to host a two-week medical and dental clinic. The Centre, which provides daily meals, recreational activities, and a sense of community for more than 200 seniors, became the home base for MMI’s multidisciplinary medical brigade. Each morning began with worship and prayer, led by Katherine Miyagi project director in Bolivia, setting the tone for service grounded in faith and compassion. From the very first day, patients began arriving—many of them with urgent dental needs. This year marked a significant milestone: for the first time, the team offered dental prostheses (dentures) as part of the clinic.
“As a dentist, I was so excited to be able to help in this way,” shared one team member. “It was a privilege to see patients receive not only medical treatment but also hope and dignity through restored smiles.”
The dental team worked tirelessly—often late into the night—to complete 40 sets of dental prostheses for patients who otherwise would not have access to this type of care. These restorations were truly life-changing, improving patients’ ability to eat, speak, and regain their confidence.
Local staff at the Senior Centre played an invaluable role, helping to identify seniors most in need of treatment and sharing their stories with the medical team. One 71-year-old patient explained:
“I lost my tooth years ago in a fall and never had the means to repair it. What Medical Ministry International is doing here is excellent. The staff are kind and very professional. I even received glasses at the Vision area. I am so grateful.”
The collaboration brought together an international team of physicians, pharmacists, dentists, and other specialists, including American and Bolivian colleagues working side by side. Despite language barriers, they bonded through “Spanglish,” teamwork, and a shared calling to serve. This year’s project also introduced social media outreach, with younger professionals rallying their peers to capture stories and even create content to celebrate the work being done.
At the heart of it all was Dr. Marianela Paredes, MMI’s lead dentist in Bolivia, whose leadership and dedication were instrumental in ensuring the project’s success.
“We felt an enormous amount of pride in seeing patients fully rehabilitated,” one dentist reflected. “To watch them smile again, speak more clearly, and enjoy food with confidence—it reminded us why we serve.”
Medical Ministry International is deeply thankful to Centro de Ancianos Vida Feliz, local volunteers, donors, and the dedicated medical professionals who made this project possible. Their combined efforts reflect MMI’s ongoing commitment to Health Care for Lasting Change!
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)
Upcoming Projects:
See our upcoming Project Teams
Cambodia: October 3 - October 17
Surgery, Primary Care, Dental, Health Education
URGENT NEEDS: Physicians, Dentists, Pharmacists, Nurse Practitioners, Nurses, Techs, and General Helpers
Amazon Region (Hospital Boat): October 4 - October 18
Forbes Augmentation Alternative Communication devices distribution
URGENT NEEDS: Physicians, Dentists, Pharmacists, Nurse Practitioners, Nurses, Techs, and General Helpers
Ecuador: October 4 -October 11
Primary Care, Health Education, Preventive Dental Care
Ghana: October 11 - October 25
Primary Care, Dental, Physical Therapy, Health Education
URGENT NEEDS: General Surgeon, Nurses, and Surgical Techs
India: October 24 - November 8
Vision Program, Eye Surgery & Optical
Peru: October 25- November 8
Primary Care, Dental, Physical Therapy, & Health Education
Dominican Republic: October 31- November 7
URGENT NEEDS: Dentists, Pharmacist, Nurse Practitioners, Nurses, Techs, and General Helpers
Join a Project!
Pray for Medical Ministry International
Pray specifically for our upcoming Projects team travelling to: Ghana, India , Peru, Cambodia, Dominican Republic & Amazon Region
Pray for our medical directors as they lead our Project Teams.
Pray for the doctors, nurses, medical specialists and general helpers.
Pray for opportunities for spiritual conversations with patients and their families.
Pray that the gospel would be known and they would feel the love of Christ.
Submit a Prayer Request
Can We Pray For You?
The Medical Ministry International Staff Team would love to pray for you. At our weekly staff meetings, we gather for a time of devotions and prayer. We pray over Project Teams, people in the Medical Ministry International community, for each other, and for the world around us. If you would like us to pray for you, please submit a prayer request below. Prayer requests are automatically anonymous; however, you may include your name if you wish.
In Him,
The Medical Ministry International Team
Do You Have a Story to Share?
Whether it's a story from a Project Team you served on or a patient's life transformation you experienced, we would love to hear your story for upcoming newsletters! If you have a story to share, please email Lauren, our Marketing & Communications Coordinator, at n.emilien@mmi.org.
We can’t wait to hear from you!
