Dr. Maria Rivis visits the US

Our Weekend visit to Lititz, Pennsylvania

June 8, 1998

For the June 6-7 weekend we went to visit Dr. Jim and Sue Johns in Lititz, Pennsylvania. He is a dentist and elder in the United Church of God. We have gotten to know them quite well over the past six years. They have been most helpful with humanitarian projects, especially those dealing with dental needs. In the fall of 1996 Sue Johns helped assemble a lot of dental equipment that was shipped by container to Ukraine. You can read about that story by clicking here.

Dr. Jim Johns with his wife Suzan

Sue Johns is a dental hygienest and has been connected with dental work for years. Last September Sue, along with Nancy Stephens from southern Florida, travelled to western Ukraine on a dental mission to help set up a dental clinic in Khust.

Dr. Maria Rivis

Nancy Stephens is certified in full and partial dentures and has had 36 years experienece in dental technology. She is a former member of the National Board for Certification, associate member of Florida Dental Laboratory Association and a member of the Palm Beach County Dental Laboratory Technical Society. Sue and Nancy's complemented each other as they worked towards setting things up in Khust, Transcarpathia. You can read about their trip by clicking here.

Sue Johns met Dr. Maria Rivis while on this mission last year and now the Johns's invited her to spend a month with them to learn more about orthodontic and other dental procedures from area dentists. Beverly and I came to the Johns' home to meet Maria and to talk about the future of improving dental care in Transcarpathia. The story about Maria Rivis' visit appeared in a local newspaper.

Bob and Shirley Davis came over to church picnic at Johns' home on June 7th

We had an inspiring Sabbath service. The people from the Lewiston, Pennsyllvania church came over as well. Other visitors included elder Ed Ed Szalankiewicz from Pittsburgh, Sal and Tammy Fattoross who have recently moved to New Jersey and Bob and Shirley Davis from Maryland. A special surprise was singing the Sabbatarian hymn "A New Command I Give to You" which is posted on this web site. This has been a great weekend!