My Jewish Friend

February 2011

Dear Friends,

Christ’s Body has many helpers and supporters who help us care for our hurting friends.  They each bring their own unique gifts and desires to serve others.  One of these helpers is my dentist, Dr. Neil Dobro of First Avenue Dental.  Neil has been my dentist for over 25 years.  A combination of not caring for my teeth and what Neil calls the world’s worst case of Bruxism (teeth grinding) created a dental disaster in my mouth. Neil has over the years rebuilt my mouth with implants and crowns, in the process we have gotten to know and respect each other.  I am an Evangelical follower of Jesus and Neil is a practicing Orthodox Jew.  I have been an honored guest at his synagogue and he has honored me by coming to hear me preach the gospel at Christ’s Body.  When I have questions about the meaning of old testament passages,  Neil’s knowledge of Hebrew is very helpful.  He has donated his time to serve our Christ’s Body Christmas dinner.  He has also given us  countless toothbrushes and toothpaste.

The toothbrushes and toothpaste help but most of our clients need real time help from a real dentist.  Neil recognized this and generously offered to start seeing those in greatest need several years ago.  Since then he has freely given hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars in free dental care.  Without Neil’s attention my friends would have just had to continue living with infected painful teeth.  There are some dental clinics in Denver but they are difficult to get into and have long waiting lists.

I am very grateful to Neil for giving his time.  Our hurting friends are also grateful but what they most appreciate is the care and respect they receive from everyone at First Avenue Dental.  First of all they walk into a very nice Cherry Creek dental office where,  no matter how they look they are greeted with a smile and offered tea, coffee or juice.  The entire staff listens to and cares for them in a way that values and honors them.

I know our God is pleased when the poor and hurting are cared for.  Thank you Neil and all your staff and may God continue to bless you!

 Deuteronomy 15:10  “Give generously to the poor and do so without a grudging heart,
then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in every thing you put your hand to.”