Iesha's Mission Trip to Sierra Leone

Dear friends and family,

I hope things are going well with you. Right now, God is doing some really great things in my life and presenting me with opportunities that are greater than I could ever imagine. With that being said, I wanted to take the time to inform you of God’s work in my life and see how you can be a part of it.

The Buffalo Outreach & Community Assistance (BOCA) organization at my school, The University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, will be going on a mission trip to Sierra Leone this July. I was chosen to be a part of this excellent opportunity to serve. We will be continuing the mission of the Miles for Smiles Program founded by Othman Shibly, DDS, MS in 2011. We are going to the Jericho Road's Adama Martha Memorial Community Health Center in Koidu Town, Kono, Sierra Leone. We will be training local healthcare professionals on how to provide oral exams, recognize different stages of cavities and periodontal disease, give oral hygiene instructions, and manage dental infections. We will also be treating adults and children with fillings, extractions, and cleanings. We’ll be there from July 7th to July 16th. Due to the long travel time, we will be flying out of NYC on July 6th and landing back in the states on July 17th.

I am writing to you to ask for your financial support. The total cost of the trips is

$2,974.47 ($2,094.47 for the flight, $540 for food/supplies, and $340 for necessary vaccines). I am looking for people to join me on this journey by financially supporting me to help make it possible for me to go. Please prayerfully consider whether you can support me financially. Anything you are able to give would be helpful and greatly appreciated!

If you are unable to financially give at this time, there are other ways you can support! As I begin this journey, I would really appreciate your support in prayer! As you can imagine, raising support can be difficult, but I know if it is the Lord’s will that I make this trip, He will provide. Also, while in Sierra Leone, I ask that you pray for the safety of my team and the population we’ll be serving.

To learn more:

• Miles for Smiles program: https://dental.buffalo.edu/community-outreach/global-miles-for-smiles.html

• BOCA: https://dental.buffalo.edu/community-outreach/outreach-programs/boca.html

• Jericho Road's Adama Martha Memorial Community Health Center: https://www.jrchc.org/globalwork/sierra-leone/adama-martha-memorial-community-health-center/

I desire to allow God to use me to impact others for Him and allow Him to change me simultaneously. Please continue to pray for me as these plans fall into place.

Love,

Iesha DeLesline