Meet our Missionary
Dr. Belinda Forbes
Dr. Belinda Forbes
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Dr. Belinda Forbes is a Global Missionary with the Board of Global Ministries (GBGM) of The United Methodist Church serving in Nicaragua, Central America.
Dr. Forbes was commissioned by GBGM in 1997 and has carried out her missionary service in different placements. A dentist by profession, Dr. Forbes serves God and the Church by contributing to community dental health programs, coordinating short-term mission teams, mentoring volunteers, and interfacing with international partner organizations. Of her assignment Dr. Forbes shares, “working with a model for asset-based community development and local empowerment allows my contribution to be long-term and sustainable. My areas of service with different ecumenical partners have helped to build local capacity among families in critical development areas; health education and promotion, farming and nutrition, disaster prevention, clean water and sanitation, women’s health, and youth leadership, the successes of which are based on community participation and promoting values of faith and justice. Health and development must be more than just a humanitarian response to need. As missionaries we connect the church in mission as a living example of the Gospel teachings.” Born in Northern Ireland, Dr. Forbes was raised in Massachusetts, USA. She holds a B.A. in biology and Spanish from American International College in Springfield, MA, and a D.M.D. degree from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston, MA. Before her ministry in Nicaragua, Dr. Forbes was in private dental practice in Boston and participated in volunteer dental service. Dr. Forbes is a member of the New England Annual Conference. |
Missionary News - November 2024
Dr. Belinda Forbes has worked in the preventative oral health campaign in AMOS's clinic in Villa Guadalupe, Nicaragua located next to the city dump. The campaign continues to bring the good message of oral health to the children, their parents, and pregnant women and provide preventative and curative care to participants. Children are at risk for early childhood decay, which is 100% preventable. Your support for dental health and AMOS's mission partner Austin Samaritans helps AMOS prioritize this important but often neglected aspect of the primary health model.
AMOS's other ongoing program continue; WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) held a training for promoters, the Parenting with Love and Health (part of the Maternal Child Health Program) is underway in the rural areas and the Sexual and Reproductive Health Program has held fairs. Thanks to all who have supported these programs with financial gifts and prayers. You are helping AMOS bring health and hope to families in Nicaragua!
The AMOS Mission Experience was a success once again!
AMOS has hosted several visiting teams in 2024 and in September, it was a delight for me to participate in the second AMOS Mission Experience with participants coming from different parts of the United States to visit the communities of Banco de Sikia and Nawawasito in the South Autonomous Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua, a 7-hour drive from Managua. The last time a team visited these communities was in 2017. We were made welcome by the local Pentecostal church who allowed the team to use their sanctuary as the "guys dorm" and the church kitchen for meals while the women stayed in the community clinic. AMOS health promoters Heylin Telles and Ramon Barrera, joined by AMOS WASH managers and promoters, hosted the team members and together we installed 52 home filters, and helped to repair and paint the community clinics of both communities. We had afternoon fun with kids and two public schools that included talks on dental health, handwashing and plenty of coloring. Toothbrushes and toothpaste provided by Colgate-Palmolive were also distributed.
The AMOS Mission Experience and all AMOS delegations help to build partnerships that leave improved and sustainable resources for health in remote communities of Nicaragua. If you are interested in a mission team or volunteer experience, please reach out to Belinda or visit the mission team page on AMOS's website.
Missionary News - October 2023
Kingswood Missions Committee hosted our new missionary, Belinda Forbes, at the church in September with a meet and greet where we had the opportunity to become familiar with her work in Nicaragua, Central America.
She is currently working with an organization referred to as AMOS which works in the area of community health. They host dental health programs, clean water and sanitation projects, women’s health clinics, coordinate short-term mission teams, mentor volunteers and interface with international partner organizations like the United Methodist Church.
We were blessed to meet Belinda and become familiar with her mission area in Nicaragua. Kingswood has an official Covenant Relationship with her through the UMC where we have agreed to donate $1,500. /yr. toward her salary.
Dr. Belinda Forbes has worked in the preventative oral health campaign in AMOS's clinic in Villa Guadalupe, Nicaragua located next to the city dump. The campaign continues to bring the good message of oral health to the children, their parents, and pregnant women and provide preventative and curative care to participants. Children are at risk for early childhood decay, which is 100% preventable. Your support for dental health and AMOS's mission partner Austin Samaritans helps AMOS prioritize this important but often neglected aspect of the primary health model.
AMOS's other ongoing program continue; WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) held a training for promoters, the Parenting with Love and Health (part of the Maternal Child Health Program) is underway in the rural areas and the Sexual and Reproductive Health Program has held fairs. Thanks to all who have supported these programs with financial gifts and prayers. You are helping AMOS bring health and hope to families in Nicaragua!
The AMOS Mission Experience was a success once again!
AMOS has hosted several visiting teams in 2024 and in September, it was a delight for me to participate in the second AMOS Mission Experience with participants coming from different parts of the United States to visit the communities of Banco de Sikia and Nawawasito in the South Autonomous Caribbean Coast of Nicaragua, a 7-hour drive from Managua. The last time a team visited these communities was in 2017. We were made welcome by the local Pentecostal church who allowed the team to use their sanctuary as the "guys dorm" and the church kitchen for meals while the women stayed in the community clinic. AMOS health promoters Heylin Telles and Ramon Barrera, joined by AMOS WASH managers and promoters, hosted the team members and together we installed 52 home filters, and helped to repair and paint the community clinics of both communities. We had afternoon fun with kids and two public schools that included talks on dental health, handwashing and plenty of coloring. Toothbrushes and toothpaste provided by Colgate-Palmolive were also distributed.
The AMOS Mission Experience and all AMOS delegations help to build partnerships that leave improved and sustainable resources for health in remote communities of Nicaragua. If you are interested in a mission team or volunteer experience, please reach out to Belinda or visit the mission team page on AMOS's website.
Missionary News - October 2023
Kingswood Missions Committee hosted our new missionary, Belinda Forbes, at the church in September with a meet and greet where we had the opportunity to become familiar with her work in Nicaragua, Central America.
She is currently working with an organization referred to as AMOS which works in the area of community health. They host dental health programs, clean water and sanitation projects, women’s health clinics, coordinate short-term mission teams, mentor volunteers and interface with international partner organizations like the United Methodist Church.
We were blessed to meet Belinda and become familiar with her mission area in Nicaragua. Kingswood has an official Covenant Relationship with her through the UMC where we have agreed to donate $1,500. /yr. toward her salary.