Belinda Forbes

Belinda Forbes

Dr. Belinda Forbes is a missionary with the Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church serving in Managua, Nicaragua.

Belinda is assigned to work with Accion Medica Cristiana (AMC or Christian Medical Action), a Nicaraguan Christian ecumenical organization specializing in community health and development in impoverished, rural communities, many of which are indigenous. As AMC's International Liaison for Community Health, Belinda serves God by coordinating a community-based, primary dental health program as well as interfacing with AMC's international partner organizations.

Of her assignment, Belinda shares, "AMC's model for local empowerment allows my contribution to be long-lasting and sustainable. The organization has evolved from a small clinically-based health organization into a development agent for change, committed to building local capacity in the areas of food security and nutrition; HIV/AIDS prevention; pastoral care; disaster prevention; clean water and sanitation; and health education and promotion. the Christian principles that undergird AMC's work are reflected as a living example of the Gospel teachings."

Dr. Forbes describes the impact of the rural dental program, "Several years ago we asked children why people in their communities lose teeth on a regular basis. One child responded, 'Teeth grow old and have to die'. Through school oral hygiene programs, basic dental care and dental health education provided by AMC-trained health promoters, a new perspective is evident. Children and their parents understand plaque, decay and most important, practice ways to prevent oral disease."

Belinda has served in various capacities since her 1991 arrival in Nicaragua as a lay missionary from the New England Conference. After working with the covenant relationship between the New England Conference and the Association of Iglesias de Cristo de Nicaragua, she was assigned by the BGM as a Short-Term Innovative Missionary and was then commissioned in 1997 to serve with the Nicaraguan Council of Protestant Churches, CEPAD. During that time Belinda grew to know and respect AMC's professional staff and strong faith community. Her BGM vocation assignment to AMC in 2000 was a natural transition after many years of collaboration in AMC's stratigies for health and education.

Born in Northern Ireland, U.K., Belinda was raised in Massachusetts. She holds a B.A. in biology and Spanish from American International College in Springfield, MA, and a D.M.D. from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston, MA. Before her ministry in Nicaragua, Belinda was in private dental practice in Boston. Originally an active member of her local UMC in Winthrop, MA, she is currently a member of Uncasville UMC in CT.

Dr. Forbes is married to Gerardo Gutierrez, MD, Director of AMC's Community Health Program. They live in Managua with their two daughters.

Missionary code: 12109Z
Last update: 12/08

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