The countdown to liftoff had been ticking down since the day we closed on our two dental practice acquisitions—September 13, 2024—a milestone that should have been our settling-in moment. But just a few weeks later, on October 10, we stepped away from that familiar orbit and prepared to venture into an uncharted dimension: Uganda, Africa. Our launch pad? Denver International Airport—the gateway into a realm that would soon feel galaxies away from the life we’d built at home. We entrusted our journey to a divine navigation system, knowing that this mission would likely change us forever.

Entering the Portal: A Journey Beyond Borders

As we crossed the threshold from the comfort of the familiar to the unknowns of rural Uganda, it felt like stepping through a portal into another universe. It felt surreal. Unreal. Is it really the year 2024 over here? It wasn’t just the distance but the sheer depth of need we would soon discover. Our church had partnered with a longstanding organization based in Colorado and Uganda, called Musana—an alliance forged to bridge worlds and create tangible impact. Their story is awe inspiring and we were grateful and honored to help in some way. Our critical mission: to bring hope and healing to areas often overlooked, into communities where dental care is often a distant hope.

Equipped with limited tools but infinite faith, we touched down, the boundaries between dimensions blurring as we adjusted to our new surroundings. The sounds, the colors, the smells. It was disorienting as much as it was beautiful. Days and nights merged into a rhythm of service and awe, opportunities to deepen relationships, and a lot of observing their ways of life. The joyful faces waiting to receive care glowed like stars, their expressions a blend of relief, courage, and gratitude. The sounds of worship and praise we witnessed not only inspired us, it fueled us. By the end of our journey, our team had provided medical and dental care to over 1,600 patients—an achievement that felt like a supernova in our hearts.

The Unknown Reveals Itself: Lessons and Humbling Encounters

In this unfamiliar galaxy, we were humbled by the resourcefulness, strength and resilience of those around us. As a dentist and hygienist team, we worked hand in hand with other medical and dental providers, each from our own respective home lands, our collective knowledge and skills, empowering us to work as an effective team. We encountered abscesses that had been endured in silence, children who had never known a toothbrush, and elders whose suffering had been a lifetime companion. Each encounter taught us not only about our capabilities as healers but also about our limits, humbling us in the face of what we could not change.

We learned that the concept of "blessing" is as much a matter of perspective as it is of circumstance. A toothbrush, so ordinary at home, became a treasure here—a reminder that in one universe, what is small can be grand, and what is grand can become humble.

Navigational Gains: Gratitude in Every Galaxy

Our team leaders, the medical providers by our side, and the support from our church and partners with Musana became anchors in this unfamiliar dimension. We navigated by their strength, compassion, and faith, which fortified us in moments of exhaustion. Our hearts were filled with gratitude for our team and our church community, whose guidance and encouragement helped us to thrive in the unknown.

But it was God who held us steady. We set out on this mission knowing we had little control, but we trusted in a divine plan that had led us here. No matter how chaotic it could have been, we were at peace. We trusted that, just as He had guided us to take on the challenge of a new practice at home, He would guide us in this remote corner of Uganda—and He did.

As we re-entered the familiar world, leaving behind a community that forever holds a part of our hearts, we emerged from this journey changed, each memory a star we carry forward. Each new relationship built, we felt a stronger sense of family. We’ll hold on to the lessons learned and the gratitude instilled, ready to approach every moment with newfound humility and respect for the blessings in our lives.

We want to extend a HUGE THANK YOU to our donors, who collectively helped us raise $8,000 to make this mission a reality and a success. We were honored to have our story told during this voyage by a video team—thank you, Zach and Keith; you made our trip memorable for eternity.

Thank you to our church, our team, those who believed in this mission, and, above all, to God, who showed us that faith can be the greatest guide across any distance. We returned knowing that the true journey was never just to Uganda—it was within us, across the dimensions of our own hearts.

Photo credit: Zach Wear