Give Smiles Change Lives: In the Beginning

Meeting the Tripletts…My first visit to El Salvador

Outside the Dental Operatory at Coatapeque

Some of you may be asking why we chose El Salvador? Phil has been to El Salvador a few times on short-term dental mission trips. Three years ago, God spoke to Phil clearly while he was serving on a short term mission trip in El Salvador that He wanted him to move there with his entire family to serve as missionaries. At that time, there were no openings for a dentist available, so the desire was kind of pushed under the carpet until it re-surfaced again around July 2013. We barely just had delivered our newborn baby girl, Shiloh, when Phil broke the news that he wanted to move to El Salvador. All you mommies out there can probably agree that after having a baby, the thought of moving to another country is the last thing you would be thinking about. Phil knew his calling, on the other hand, I needed to go to El Salvador to see for myself what life would be like living over there. Some of you may know that Phil practically had to drag my feet to get there, but after some serious counseling (thank you Sheneau Stanley), I finally decided to go check it out with an open mind.

When we arrived at the Monsenor Oscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport, Don Triplett and his wife, Terri, welcomed us at the entrance. Don Triplett, Founder of King’s Castles ministries opened his home to me and Phil, and gave us an overview of what it would be like serving the people of El Salvador. He raised his entire family there for 25 years, and has become well-loved by the community.

As we drove around the cities of San Salvador and Coatapeque, I felt right at home because the area reminded me of how life was growing up in the Philippines. Seeing the busy streets filled with cars trying to make a two lane road into a four lane road was very familiar. Seeing the city also reminded me a lot of what Manila is like: small little shops, food stands in every corner, and people selling everything and anything in the middle of the road. The Tripletts were so amazing to show us the preschools, gated villages, and clinics in a span of less than twenty-four hours. It was definitely a productive trip.

The place that made the biggest impact was visiting the clinics that Phil would be working in, and also a 24-hr House of Prayer located in the main grounds of Castillo Del Rey. The view of the prayer house was breathtaking, and the highlight of my entire visit. I knew living there would not be a surprise, but I needed to know why God was calling our family to live there. To tell you honestly, I did not hear any clear answers during this trip. However, the cool thing about going to El Salvador at that time was that I got to witness how Phil was energized by the opportunity to serve. It did bless my heart to see how much the people were so excited to meet a dentist who was willing to give up everything he had to serve them. This was a stepping stone for me to trust God, and to seek signs and confirmations that this is His will for our family. I left El Salvador not as resistant, but with an open heart to receive whatever the Lord has for our family.