Molocau # 3 for sure, # 4 ??????

Okay, I am going to tell this story first. We were walking to the clinic one day and right there on the sidewalk was a molocau and so this was the perfect time to take a REAL picture of the critter, all 38 pair of legs. Yuk-k-k-k-k. Okay, that is #3. Now for # 4 ??? So last Fri. morning I got out of bed, Dick was in the bathroom, so I turned on the light and I was surprised to see a "molocau" on the edge of the door with his legs over the edge and I could definately see the 2 pinchers on one end. The spray was in the kitchen so if I opened the door to get it, the molochau would take off. So....... I went into the bathroom to tell Dick - he can solve any problem - I picked up my glasses from the counter and went to make sure the molocau was still there - HE WAS - because he was the hinge on the door!!!?! Boy, did I feel goofy. I guess you could say that I have "molocau fever".. I am sure that Dick will get some mileage out of this one. (the rusty part of the hinge was the legs going over the edge and the pinchers were 2 rusty streeks coming off the hinge - I hadn't taken time to count and see that he did not have 38 legs, silly me)

Now on to something of more worth. I have decided to tell you what your father (Dick) is doing to make a difference here on the Island of Tonga and probably all the South Pacific Islands before he is done. We were here only a few days before he said, "I feel like we are trying to put our finger in the hole in the dike and not stopping the problem from coming". Practically every mouth that is opened here has 8-9 cavities in it and he is extracting permanent teeth on children who have had these teeth for only a few years. It is so sad to him and myself.

So, we feel that he is being inspired in what is now happening, because there are many doors that are being opened to him in his persuit of a solution to this situation.

Dental caries are at an epeidemic level here and throughout the islands. There is a definate link between dental disease and other systemic diseases like: diabetes, heart disease, stroke and kidney disease. Over 52% of all people over 50 years of age here in Tonga have diagnosed diabetes - that is epidemic levels.

Dick feels that a multi-strategic program must be the approach and it must be presented all together to really get to the base of the problem. He has contacted the Area Presidency about his program and they will get back as to how they can support this initiative. He suggested a Sr. Couple be called to serve in this area and carry out this program, getting it to all of the South Pacific Islands. He has contacted his cousin, Tim Taggart, head of Audio/Visual for the church in SLC, and he is ready to help. Dick is putting together the following ideas for this program:

• Get the local Ministry of Communication, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Public Health on board and claiming this as their program, as a way that they can do something to help their own people
• Declaring a National Dental Health Month with a 'fun walk' ending in the statium where they will be given a short talk, hand out dental packets with toothbrushs and floss, etc
• A committee to meet with the above leaders and representatives on it to keep this program going after we leave
• There will be a contest in the local High Schools where they will be challenged to find a "dental floss" in nature (it is too expensive to buy for most of the people), with a cash prize to the winner
• A well done movie on dental care and diet that can be translated into any of the South Pacific Island languages and used there as it progresses
• We have created a "Tommy Tooth" (animated tooth that talks) who will become the "Symbol" or "Icon" of this program, so that anytime he is seen, people will think about their dental cleaning - he will teach and demonstrate where ever he is
• Training of educated people to go into each village and show the movie, give demonstrations and products to each family through the churches, community and schools - this would be done 2 times a year
• Massive advertisement campaign on TV, radio, newspapers and public (billboard) at the kick-off of Dental Health Month (at the beginning of the program)

This is the basis of what he is doing. He has had many "doors opened" as this has progressed and so it is as if the Lord is saying 'go ahead this is good'. One such 'coinsidence'is Tonga's culture is founded on the concept of RANK, and this cornerstone affects every aspect of a Tongan's life. Rank is so important that one Tongan will avoid speaking to another until she or he knows which of them ranks higher. It is a three-tierd class system made up of 1. Royalty, 2. Nobles, 3. Commoners. Now......... picture this: A Noble is coming to our English speaking Branch and is interested in the church. We have had him, his wife and children in the dental clinic, and have made a friendship with them. He told Dick, "when you are ready to have your meeting on my island, let me know and I will have all the people there that you want." Today at church he told Dick that he could get a meeting for him with the Prime Minister this week if he would like. Oh......my.......gosh...... Is this a "coinsidence? No, we do not think so. Doors are opened and we are excited about it.

Dr. Pulsifer will be here this coming week (one of the Dr. who helped put the clinic together) and will be here for a couple of weeks. While he is here to do dentistry, Dick will take advantage of the time and meet with all the "top people" in the Tongan Government.

Getting the funding and expertee for the movie and putting this program into affect will show a difference within a few years in the dental condition of the people. When this is in affect it will make a great deal of difference in the lives and health of the island people and that is what is driving your father in this project. He has a love for the Polyneisian people and desires for their lives to be better. Even the natives call "pull teeth" but we need a program to "save" them.

We love you and miss you tons, Dad and Mom, Grandpa and Grandma