Sister Spotlight: Emery Buckhouse

Emery Buckhouse

International Service Learning

Masaya, Nicaragua

"This summer I volunteered on a dental mission trip in Nicaragua with an organization called International Service Learning (ISL). When I first signed up to be a volunteer, I was nervous about the fact that I wouldn’t know anyone else going on the trip and that I knew very little Spanish. I arrived in Nicaragua and finally met the other three volunteers that I would be working with for the next 9 days. Little did any of us know that this trip would impact us in a way that we didn’t expect.

Los Pepitos was a place in Masaya, Nicaragua for children with special needs to go during the day while their families were at work. This facility was where our dental clinic was held. We assisted Doctora Mesa with performing cleanings, extractions, and even fillings on these children and their families. Most of these families had never had dental care in their life; much less own their own toothbrush. Even though I did enjoy all the dental experience I was getting, I gained so much more from the people of Masaya. They taught me to really be thankful for how blessed I am. These people had little to nothing, but yet they found a way to shower us with gifts just to show us how thankful they were for us. The dental care that we gave might not seem like much, but to the people of Masaya, it was everything.

I originally signed up for this trip for the experience because I would like to go to dental school, but I realized that God led me to a bigger purpose. This trip was not about me, but about making a difference in someone else’s life.

DL, Emery"


We are so proud of you and your dedication to serve the kids of Nicaragua, Emery. We can't wait to see you become a dentist one day!