Bad Teeth and Paint Brushes

From the Publisher’s Wife
There is a little boy in the Dominican Republic who has stirred the hearts of two ladies from the Lighthouse Church. His name is Kennedy, and like many children, he is teased by his peers because of badly protruding front teeth — a condition unkindly called “buck teeth.” Kennedy is one of three boys who lives with his mother in a village called San Marcos, which has been the focus of several mission trips by he local church.
His mother struggles just to put food on the table for her family. Her skill in doing hair braiding, while remarkable, does not bring in much money. She never dreamed of being able to take her son to an orthodontist; but she did not reckon on the power of the two Christian women and Kennedy’s own talent as an artist.
Those factors are coming together as Kathy Scholz and Veronica Throne of Wildwood Crest and Wildwood are putting together a package of frame able prints and note cards featuring the vividly colored paintings, which the young Dominican has given them.
Until last year, Kennedy had little means to express his artistic talent, but another woman, Judy Salasin noticed his skills when all the children were given crayons to draw with after a Bible lesson. Salasin immediately bought him paints and brushes.
Making good use of those basic supplies, when the team returned this year, he had several paintings to show them. Now those paintings are being made available to anyone who would like to help Kennedy overcome the badly aligned teeth and the cruel teasing that so often comes with that condition.
A third woman, also of Lighthouse Church, Barbara Crouthamel, who with her husband, Tom, has been spending three months in the Dominican Republic each year for the last three years, has located a local orthodontist who will help Kennedy. All the proceeds from the sale of artwork will be sent directly to her to pay for the straightening and Kennedy’s new smile.
It is hard to imagine a more gratifying effort or a better way of knowing exactly how one’s gift is being used. Those who would like to help this delightful young artist should call Kathy Scholz at 522-1659.
PATRICIA HALL, the publisher’s wife
(ED. NOTE: Patricia Hall writes this week as Publisher Art Hall is serving on jury duty.)