Born in Argentina, Naty is 31 years old and a dentist. Her journey with missions began when she was 17. While trying to decide what to study, her love for reading led her into the world of cross-cultural missions through a series of mission workers' biographies. One of those books was Through Gates of Splendor by Elisabeth Elliot, which tells the story of five mission workers who gave their lives out of love for an indigenous tribe in Ecuador.
“I used to think, ‘That kind of Christian life is very different from mine,'" Naty shared. "I had never considered whether my life had an impact on others. But in that process, I realised: I want that life — the kind that gives everything for Christ.”
Naty grew up in a church where global missions was uncommon. In the church's nearly 78 years of history, no one had ever been sent cross-culturally, which raised questions for her about what missions might look like in her own life.
At the same time, Naty was beginning to lean towards a career path. While attending orthodontic appointments, she noticed that her dentist was so kind that each visit turned into long conversations. That was when a spark was ignited.
“I started falling in love with the profession. You’re always with people and relationships form easily. I thought, ‘This profession works anywhere…everyone has teeth!’”
Upon finishing her university studies, Naty completed one year of Bible training. After praying and seeking guidance, she decided to go on a short-term mission trip to Angola. She joined a team of mostly health professionals who were using their careers as tools for ministry. That was when one of her biggest surprises came.
“I was surprised to see that doctors had schedules to keep and many patients to attend to. It wasn’t just standing in front of people and talking about the Bible once. It was living among them, sharing daily life and showing God through the way you live.”
When she returned home, Naty shared with her church elders her desire to serve long-term in Angola. One of them then told her about FIT Global, a training programme created by OM in partnership with other organisations to equip professionals who want to use their careers as mission tools. The church didn’t just encourage her — they offered to cover all the costs.
“FIT Global helped me see in practise what I had already been sensing: it is possible to glorify God through my profession," shared Naty. "Life is not divided into spiritual and secular. Work is part of God’s plan.”
Today, Naty is the first person her church has sent to serve in long-term cross-cultural missions.
“Ten years ago, this would have been impossible. But God was preparing everything. Now my church is fully involved. Since that first trip, they have supported me not only spiritually, but also financially and logistically.”
One of the most beautiful things Naty shares is that the work in Angola is no longer her personal project.
“The elders were very clear with me: this is a church project. Even when I have doubts, the church stands firm — and that sustains me.”
The dream was to open a dental clinic that could support the ongoing medical work in Angola, but the budget of USD 13,000 seemed impossible. They began sharing the vision without knowing what God would do — and the unexpected happened.
“To my surprise, we raised much more than we expected, even though it wasn’t yet the full amount budgeted.”
Of the USD 13,000 needed, they raised USD 9,000 through the collaboration and effort of several churches and individuals united by the shared dream. When they arrived in Angola, they discovered that the dental chair cost far less than expected. What they had was exactly what they needed.
Equipping the clinic was completed faster than they had imagined. In less than 15 days, they had almost all the materials, a technician to assemble everything and even made progress on the paperwork for Naty’s dental license in the country.
Today, everything is up and running. Naty is already able to practice her profession legally, although she is still awaiting a few final documents.
Please pray that God will guide her in everything and that through her hands and her conversations, God would open doors to people’s hearts so she can share the love of Jesus.
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