AMEN

By Beth THomas

Adventist Medical Evangelism Network (AMEN) is a ministry that offers “free dental care, general medical care, and health education services to uninsured and underinsured people in the U.S. They partner with dentists, physicians, dental hygienists, dental assistants, optometrists, nurses, counselors, massage therapists, and other medical and nonmedical volunteers”* who donate their services for free!

On Sunday, March 10, 2024, the AMEN clinic came to Detroit, Michigan, a city of more than 630,000 people. 

Jean Ramos (seen at right), a seventh grader at Oakwood Junior Academy, attends a Hispanic church in Detroit. He heard about the AMEN clinic when his pastor gave church members flyers to pass out in the community. He and his family went to a park near the church where they knew many homeless people stayed. It was also near a very busy street. They gave away flyers and invitations to people in the park and to those in cars who stopped at the intersection. 

Besides passing out flyers, Jean knew he wanted to help some other way. He chose to interpret for the medical providers at the clinic. There were many Spanish-speaking people who came, and Jean was busy all day going from room to room translating patients’ questions into English for the doctors and other health professionals. 

One person specifically stood out to Jean. A Venezuelan man came to the clinic. His family members, who are Catholic, turned away from him because he became a Seventh-day Adventist. He was struggling with his mental health, especially with anxiety and depression, because he was so lonely. Jean invited him to church and was able to direct him to someone at the clinic who could help him feel better. 

This experience changed Jean’s perspective. He says being at the clinic “changed my view of the world. I’m trying to volunteer for a lot more things to keep helping people. I’d encourage anyone my age to volunteer and help others in need…just pass it on.” 

You don’t have to wait until you’re finished with college and have a degree or work as a doctor or nurse, a lawyer or teacher. You can use what talents and abilities you have right now to make a difference. Jean used his Spanish language to help where he was needed! Ask God today to show you some opportunities for service. They could be right in your neighborhood!

*For more information about AMEN, check out their website: https://amenfreeclinic.org.

Beth Thomas is editor of KidsView.