CHOSEN TO GO

HELEN - CHILD NUMBER FOUR FOR OUR PARENTS  

She slipped safely to the Earth, in nineteen twenty one,

  In early childhood often spoke of better kingdoms come.

Three brothers were already there and listened to her talk,

  One a prince, next the mischief man, third son, “Lets wait and watch.”

    “Here comes the “tooth lady” was the chorus that Helen Krueger hears when she enters the dusty streets of any one of the villages in the outback of Ivory Coast, Africa.  I’ve spoken of my older sister Helen often and this will tell you about a typical day in her work as a dental missionary.  She rides into the village on her bicycle and those who need dental work begin to line up for help as the “tiny time criers” race around the village announcing the tooth lady is here.  Other days Helen may arrive on horseback since the French official has told her his horse needs exercise often and she is welcome to use his horse the days he does not need it.  The village chief assigns a location for her to begin her work.  Helen places a low stool for her patient to sit on which serves as an outdoor dental chair, usually beneath tall shady trees and invites her patient to be seated, regardless of race or religion. Sometimes the patient brings several friends to be a comfort and support for her since Helen brings no drugs to ease the pain of a tooth extraction.

    The last patient had a large molar that proved to be very difficult to remove.  “Try just once more,” he begged.  Finally the deep root emerged to the patient’s great relief.  The man rushed forward to express his gratitude as the blood spattered on both patient and client.   “Thank you Madam,” he cried, “May Allah grant many children to you.”  Helen never married. 

     During the still sunny evening hours Helen leads the villagers in choruses and song using her button guitar with choruses and short hymns they are quick to learn.  The chief assigns her an empty hut and her bed is a wood framework that unfolds a camping canvas mattress. The canvas has deteriorated in the hot weather and the first time she turns over it splits and so she spends the night trying to hold the split canvas together with one hand lest she fall on the floor where many varieties of insects roam around looking for a midnight snack.  The next morning the children follow her to the edge of the village and wave their farewell thanks for the excitement she has brought into their lives