From the Back Mountains to the World of Medicine
    Dr. Lin Yichao, the director of Hualien Lincoln Dental Clinic, was born in Yuenlin Township, Changhua County, in 1963. At just ten months old, he developed a high fever that wouldn’t subside, accompanied by persistent diarrhea. He was rushed to Changhua Christian Hospital, where doctors deemed his condition critical.
 
    At that moment, a foreign missionary happened to pass by, saw Lin’s father on the brink of despair, and prayed for the child. Miraculously, after the prayer, Lin Yi-chao’s fever began to subside, and his condition gradually improved. However, it was discovered that his left leg was weak, and he was diagnosed with polio.
 
    Lin Yichao is the second of four brothers. He graduated from Yuanlin Elementary School, Yuanlin Junior High School, Jianzhong High School, and Kaohsiung Medical University with a bachelor's and master's degree in dentistry. He is currently the director of Hualien Lincoln Dental Clinic, a council member of the East Region of the International Gideon Association of the Republic of China, a council member of the Hualien Dental Association, and the founder of the Hualien County Fathers Love Family Association.
 
    Although God gave Lin Yichao a disabled leg, He also blessed him with a brilliant mind, enabling him to become the first student from his town to attend Jianzhong High School, the first dentist in the area, the first to introduce home healthcare services in the remote mountainous region, and a physician who continues to practice medicine despite his disability.
 
    Despite relying on a cane for mobility,
 
    This limitation has not deterred his resolve to heal and save lives. Since his sophomore year in college, he has participated annually in church-organized medical missions to remote areas, traveling across islands to provide care in Lan Yu and Green Island; across seas to Qinghai and Tibet; and even across borders to India, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Cambodia, and Kenya to offer medical services.
 
    Not content with this, Dr. Lin Yichao has extended his medical services to patients with disabilities who cannot leave their homes to see a doctor. Every week, he and Nurse Lin Shu-yi carry over 40 kilograms of medical equipment to visit patients in their homes, becoming the first dentist in eastern Taiwan to provide home-based medical care. He urgently hopes that more young dentists will join this effort to make home-based medical care widely available in Taiwan.
 
    As a result, Dr. Lin Yichao has been dedicated to free clinics for 39 years, upholding the principle that “a doctor's heart is like that of a parent.” As the first dentist in the “back mountain” region to promote home-based medical care, he has also actively promoted the “Good Dad Movement” by founding the Love Dad Association. He has crossed islands, seas, and borders to provide medical care in Kenya and other countries, practicing “love knows no boundaries” and safeguarding life with dignity. He truly deserves the title of “Cane Dentist.” Among 2,954 candidates recommended by people from all walks of life around the world, he stood out and was honored with the “2022 25th Global Love for Life Medal” by the Taiwan Zhou Daguan Cultural and Educational Foundation.
 
    Our foundation welcomes recommendations from people around the world for those who are diligent, compassionate, brave, and accomplished—true warriors of life. (Taiwan Zhou Da Guan Cultural and Educational Foundation Global Award for Love of Life Recommendation Hotline: 886-2-29178770, Fax: 886-2-29178768, Address: 3rd Floor, No. 52 Mingde Road, Xindian District, New Taipei City 231, Taiwan, Website: http://www.ta.org.tw, e-mail: ta88ms17@gmail.com).
 
A childhood unable to afford a single 300-dollar vaccine
    At the time, Mr. Lin ran a small business, carrying goods on his shoulders over mountainous terrain to trade in other areas to support his family. Due to his constant work, his children were left in the care of their grandmother.
 
    In the 1950s, rural areas of Taiwan were still economically and medically underdeveloped, and polio was rampant.
 
    Mr. Lin was aware of the severity of the disease. After his children were born, he heard many friends' advice and knew he should take them for vaccination as soon as possible. However, each dose of the vaccine cost 300 New Taiwan Dollars, which was nearly the family's monthly rice budget.
 
    Due to financial difficulties, Mr. Lin also thought, “It probably won't happen to us,” and chose to take a chance. Unfortunately, tragedy struck, forever altering Lin Yichao's life. Mr. Lin still feels deeply guilty to this day, as no amount of “if only” can undo the past.
 
    At the time, Lin Yichao, who was only ten months old, suddenly developed symptoms of diarrhea and high fever that persisted for seven or eight days. His grandmother took him to a pediatrician in a nearby town, where he was diagnosed with “fever of unknown origin.” He was given an injection and medication, but his condition did not improve.
 
    Desperate and at a loss, the grandmother turned to folk remedies, visiting a temple to pray and collect incense ash, which she then boiled in water for the child to drink. As the child's condition worsened—his tiny abdomen swelling up—the grandmother finally informed Lin's father of the dire news. By the time Lin's father rushed home, the child was already on the brink of death.
 
    Mr. Lin rushed the critically ill child to the emergency department of Changhua Christian Church Hospital. The emergency room doctor shook his head and said, “This child is likely beyond saving...”
 
Believing in Jesus' miracles of rebirth
    Even the doctor had given up hope, leaving Mr. Lin, who was on the brink of despair, heartbroken and helpless, unsure of how to save his child.
 
    At that moment, a foreign pastor happened to pass by. Seeing the distressed father, he offered to pray for the child, asking God to heal him.
 
    Lin Dad, who had been at a loss, clung to this last hope and prayed earnestly before the pastor: “If you can truly save my son's life, our entire family will be baptized and believe in Jesus!”
 
    Perhaps it was Mr. Lin's heartfelt plea that was heard. Lin Yichao's fever, which had raged for over ten days, began to slowly subside, and he miraculously survived—a true miracle had occurred!
 
    Although he had survived by sheer luck, the doctors also discovered that “the child's left leg had become paralyzed and weak,” and he was diagnosed with polio.
Thus, Lin Yichao, who had been an innocent and lively toddler just beginning to babble, became a sick child who could only crawl on the ground.
 
    Facing this outcome, Lin Dad was filled with disappointment and helplessness, but he remained true to his promise and went to the church to be baptized, becoming the first Christian in the Lin family.
 
    Lin's father was the first person in this traditional rural village to “believe in the foreign religion,” and Lin Yichao was the only child in the village diagnosed with polio.
 
    From then on, the Lin family was often mocked and ridiculed by some ignorant and malicious neighbors in the village, who even went so far as to say, “This is the consequence of not worshiping ancestors and instead believing in the foreign religion!”
 
    However, for Mr. Lin, the existence of his second son was precisely what Christ had promised. As the Bible says, “Children are a heritage from the Lord; the fruit of the womb is His reward” (Psalm 127:3).
 
A Determined Journey of Education
    This lonely and self-deprecating childhood, marked by isolation and solitude, began to change when he entered Yuanlin Elementary School.
 
    Before third grade, Lin Yichao was placed in a special education class; after third grade, he was finally able to return to a regular class.
 
   Lin Yichao laughed and said, “Though God gave me a disabled leg, He also gave me this fairly intelligent mind, allowing me to achieve great success in my studies. Because of my excellent grades, those who once mocked me, looked down on me, and called me ‘lame’ dared not bully me anymore!”
 
    In 1975, Lin Yichao graduated with honors as the top student in his class at Yuanlin Elementary School and immediately entered Yuanlin Junior High School.
 
    At that time, junior high school students who wanted to attend a good high school had to study very hard. In order to prepare for the high school entrance exams, Lin Yichao often stayed up late studying with his older brother.
 
    Seeing how hard his sons were working, Mr. Lin, their father, often bought them “Xie Mi GAO,” a famous local delicacy from Yuen Lin Town, as a reward for their efforts. For the Lin family, who were not well-off, even such a simple snack was a rare and cherished treat.
 
    This “Xie Mi GAO” carried the father's overflowing love, care, and expectations for his children. Even after growing up and tasting countless delicacies, Lin Yichao still felt that the taste from his memories was unique and irreplaceable.
 
    Driven by this determination, the two brothers excelled—Lin Yichao's older brother was admitted to Taichung First Senior High School; the following year, the school recommended Lin Yichao take the entrance exam for the Northern Alliance, and he successfully passed and was admitted to Jiangnan High School.
 
    This was a major event in the simple town of Yuanlin at the time, even making the local newspaper. Lin Yichao was not only the first child from Yuanlin to be admitted to Jianzhong High School but also the only student from the town to be listed on both the Jianzhong and Taichung First High School admission lists, earning him the title of “double honoree.”
 
    Lin Yichao clearly remembers the scene and the pride he felt at the time. The principal of Yuanlin High School even paid a special visit to his home, presenting him with a scholarship and urging him to choose Yuanlin High School.
 
    However, Lin's father politely declined the principal's offer. Although he knew that once his son moved north to study, he would no longer be able to stay by his side or see him every day, Lin's father remained firm: “My son must attend Jianzhong High School!”
 
A rare Jianzhong student from a small town
     After moving to Taipei to attend Jianzhong High School, Lin Yichao began a life of renting a place on his own. Out of concern, Lin's father asked a fellow villager and church friend, Ms. Ke, to help take care of him. Ms. Ke, a kind-hearted woman, not only assisted with his daily needs but also took him to church.
 
    As a high school student from the countryside, Lin Yichao inevitably felt some self-doubt and inferiority. No matter what he did, he always felt held back.
 
    Lin Yichao made a group of good friends, and his relationships with his classmates were generally friendly. Few people intentionally made fun of his legs. In order to catch up with his outstanding classmates in Taipei, he often hesitated: “Should I continue to dedicate my precious time to God?”
 
     A thought often crossed his mind: “Instead of going to church, wouldn't it be more useful to spend this precious time studying more subjects?”
Lin Yichao cared deeply about his academic performance, and his father felt even more so.
 
     In his father's heart, he likely felt a sense of guilt about his son's disability, so if his son could excel academically, he would do everything to support him, hoping his future would be smooth and peaceful.
 
    Therefore, when Lin Yichao was about to face the crucial university entrance exam, his father decided without hesitation to accompany him to the exam center in the north.
 
    Lin Yichao's first choice was to study medicine and become a doctor. This was a highly competitive goal with a high score threshold, and he had been under immense pressure. Especially when his father said he would come to accompany him during the exam, the pressure increased even more.
 
    As a result, despite studying diligently throughout high school, he was so nervous the night before the exam that he couldn't sleep, and his scores fell short of expectations, landing him in the dental program at Kaohsiung Medical University.
 
    For the young Lin Yichao at the time, this was another major setback in his life, leaving him discouraged for a long time and even considering retaking the exams.
 
    Later, due to changes in the college entrance exam regulations the following year, which required an additional physics exam, he finally gave up on retaking the exams and reluctantly enrolled in the dental program at Kaohsiung Medical University.
　
    He said with a wry smile, “Don't look at how prestigious, professional, and well-paid dentists are today. Back then, dentists in rural areas were casually referred to as ‘magicians,’ just craftsmen who could pull teeth and fill cavities—they weren't considered professionals at all.”
 
Entering Kaohsiung Medical University and Active in Clubs
    Before enrolling at Kaohsiung Medical University, Lin Yichao spent all his time studying, hoping to get into his ideal department.
 
    He laughed and said, “After entering university, I finally mustered the courage to try expanding my social circle and even served as president of three clubs consecutively! These busy club experiences cultivated my leadership skills for the future.”
 
    At the time, Lin Yi-chao had been freed from the heavy pressure of academic competition, and his mood was like a bird released from a cage—he wanted to try everything.
 
    The personal interests he had suppressed due to his intense studying, such as writing and literary appreciation, began to flourish during this period. Lin Yi-chao said, “I've always loved writing and have an inexplicable passion for literature. I even considered switching to the Chinese literature department at one point!”
 
    During his university years, Lin Yichao was active in club activities. He once had a record of being failed by a professor for skipping too many classes, but he learned to balance his academic and extracurricular commitments—from then on, he never skipped a single class, and his club activities remained thriving.
 
    By the time he graduated from university, Lin Yichao had received over thirty bouquets of flowers and had to ask his younger classmates to help carry them—making him a prominent figure on campus.
 
    “Serving others” has always been a central theme in Lin Yichao's life. This driving force led him, after establishing his own practice, to co-find the “Chinese Dental Service Team” (CCDS) with several fellow Christian dentists at Mackay Memorial Hospital. The team not only provides medical services to Taiwan's outlying islands but also extends its efforts to impoverished regions overseas.
 
Unfazed by threats, he published a research report on the link between betel nut and oral cancer.
    In 1987, Lin Yichao graduated from Kaohsiung Medical University. Due to a physical disability, he was exempt from military service, but he did not want to pursue dentistry as a lifelong career. Instead, he continued his studies at the Graduate Institute of Dentistry while secretly enrolling in part-time courses at Chung Tai Medical College and Hung Kuang College of Health Sciences, all to fulfill his dream of becoming a teacher.
 
    At the time, the Dental Research Institute at Kaohsiung Medical University had just been established, admitting only ten students per year. Lin Yichao was part of the third cohort. While his peers opted for popular specializations like “prosthodontics” and “orthodontics,” he chose the less conventional “oral pathology.”
 
    On one hand, he hoped to stay at the university as a faculty member in the future; on the other hand, his advisor at the time, Professor Lin Limin, was also a Christian, very kind, and caring toward his students.
 
    Since Lin Yichao deeply respected Professor Lin, and his specialty was “oral pathology” research, he followed Professor Lin in exploring the relationship between betel nut and oral cancer.
 
    Typically, one thesis is sufficient for graduation, but Lin Yichao worked tirelessly to secure a teaching position at the university, ultimately completing three theses. His research was even threatened by betel nut industry representatives, yet he persisted in his efforts to build academic credentials and gain recognition from the university.
 
    Unfortunately, upon graduation, his alma mater, Kaohsiung Medical University, had no vacancies for full-time faculty positions. Ultimately, Lin Yichao chose to teach at Chung Tai Medical College, as he held a dental license. The school even granted him a “non-practice allowance” and hired him to teach courses such as “Oral Anatomy,” “Oral Physiology,” and “Oral Pathology.”
 
    At the time, Lin Yichao was full of passion, dedicated to nurturing talent, and aspiring to an academic research position. However, after two years, he realized that his current work differed significantly from the “academic research” he had envisioned.
 
    During his classroom teaching, Lin Yichao gradually realized that he had a strong interest in “clinical work,” but teaching students could only involve basic knowledge, preventing him from conducting more in-depth research or clinical work. He felt that his dental academic expertise could no longer sustain him.
 
    Additionally, his father persistently urged him to return home, and eventually, he gave up his full-time teaching position at Zhongtai Medical College and returned to his hometown in Yuanlin to open his own practice.
 
    However, he had not given up on his academic dreams. He continued to teach part-time at Zhongtai Medical College, and Kaohsiung Medical University also invited him to teach part-time there. Thus, he continued to commute between the north and south every semester, all to pursue his teaching aspirations.
 
    Eventually, due to the increasing workload at his clinic and the growing number of patients, the round trip from Yuanlin to Zhongtai Medical College took three hours, leading him to gradually stop commuting.
 
    From initially resisting dentistry, he ended up returning to his original field. Lin Yichao reflected, “At the time, it was just a pursuit of empty fame.” People are never satisfied with what they already have.
 
Meeting True Love and Returning Home Together
    During his active university days, Lin Yichao naturally had many admirers, but he did not expand his social circle.
 
    Lin Yichao sighed wryly, “Back then, I appeared confident and successful on the surface, but deep down, there was a shadow. It was the sense of inferiority that had accumulated in my heart since childhood, always lingering there. I feared failure, feared rejection, and, above all, feared losing face.”
 
    It wasn't until his sixth year of university, during an internship at Changhua Christian Hospital, that he met Ms. Zhu Yufan, who was also working as a nurse at the hospital at the time. However, it wasn't until after he graduated and secured a full-time job that he finally opened his heart and took the first step forward.
 
    Even now, Lin Yichao proudly says, “Look at Mrs. Lin back then—how beautiful and elegant she was!” At any time, he can pull out his wife's photo from his wallet, and his affection is evident.
 
    Recalling the moment they first met, Mrs. Lin, with her delicate features and elegant demeanor, smiled shyly and said, “Oh, it wasn't romantic at all! I was lying on his examination chair with my mouth wide open!”
 
    Mrs. Lin had originally just come in for a toothache, intending to get it checked and treated quickly. Little did she know that this single visit would lead to a lifelong love story?
 
    Although Lin Yichao's mobility was somewhat limited, he could still walk on his own. Therefore, when he pursued her, Yu Fan was not opposed and was willing to give their relationship more time to develop. However, as their relationship grew deeper, some concerns began to surface among those around them.
 
    “Are you sure? Have you thought this through?” Yu Fan remained uncertain about making such a lifelong commitment.
 
    One day, while reading scripture, Yu Fan came across this passage: “It is not good for man to be alone; I will make a helper suitable for him.” (Genesis 2:18) These words felt like a divine revelation, bringing a ray of light into the chaos of her mind.
 
    She asked herself, “Are you willing?” “Yes, I am willing to be his helper!”
 
    After marriage, Ms. Yu Fan resigned from her hospital job and followed Lin Yichao back to his hometown to open a clinic, becoming the envy of everyone as “Mrs. Lin.”
 
    Then, three children were born one after another. While raising the young children, she managed the household chores and also assisted with the clinic's administrative tasks. In her married life, she experienced the sweetness of newlywed bliss, the joy and pride of raising children, and the hardships of childcare. All household responsibilities were handled by her alone, without relying on others.
 
    She recalls when the children were young, her husband would be seeing patients in the clinic on the first floor, while she was busy with household chores upstairs and had to urgently handle the children's tantrums to avoid disrupting the clinic's operations. She often faced the conflict and pressure of trying to manage both sides. Sometimes, when the children played too roughly, Lin Yichao would rush upstairs to “handle it!”
 
    Mrs. Lin said, “He has a perfectionist personality and is quite impatient. Whatever he thinks of, he always wants to do it quickly.” After all, which couple doesn't have some disagreements? For the sake of a harmonious family, for the children, and for the original intention of being a “helper,” she decided to face it head-on. “But sometimes, he really is very strict and stubborn!” Mrs. Lin couldn't help but laugh again: “So I just let it go; otherwise, there's really nothing I can do.”
 
    It was that gentle and tolerant smile that allowed this family to adjust at any time, find the rhythm that suited them best, and walk hand in hand into the future.
 
Escaping the Dentist's Life to Help Others
    After getting married, Lin Yichao returned to his hometown of Yuanlin at his father's request to open a dental clinic. Soon, three children were born, and the clinic became increasingly busy.
 
    With a large number of patients, the income was naturally generous, and he could indeed be considered “bringing honor to the family,” making his parents feel proud and honored.
 
    From others' perspectives, Lin Yichao had already become a “successful person” as defined by society, but he said, “At the time, I was very busy, and my income was good. However, deep down, I always felt that something was missing...”
 
    Lin Yichao still felt that he was merely stuck at the traditional level of a ‘dentist’ and couldn't achieve his ideal role of “helping others.”
 
    Therefore, as his children grew up and started school, he joined the parent-teacher association at their school, the Dental Association, and the Yuenlin Town Community Health Promotion Committee, actively participating in social welfare and health education promotion activities.
 
    Lin Yichao deeply felt that oral health knowledge was insufficiently disseminated in Yuenlin, so he established an “Oral Health Education Seed Teacher Training Program” locally and actively promoted the “National Primary School Children's Toothbrushing Demonstration Competition” nationwide. Whenever invited by organizations, he never declined, dedicating himself wholeheartedly to promoting proper oral health concepts, hoping to drive behavioral changes across the region.
 
    At the time, the local government placed great emphasis on public health, leading to the establishment of the “Yuanlin Township Community Health Promotion Committee.” Due to his expertise and dedication, Dr. Lin Yi-chao was appointed as the first chairman of the committee, becoming a highly respected dentist in the Yuanlin area. He was also honored with an audience and award from former Taiwan Province Governor Song Chu-yu.
 
    In 1994, at the chapel on the 10th floor of Taipei Mackay Memorial Hospital, Lin Yichao and a dozen like-minded dentist friends founded the “Chinese Dental Service Corps.” Initially, they provided dental clinics in remote and island areas of Taiwan. After the national health insurance program was implemented the following year, they shifted their focus overseas to offer free dental services.
 
    This seed of “service” had been deeply planted in Lin Yichao's heart for a long time, and it was finally ready to bloom and bear fruit.
 
The Regret of Becoming a Father
    To provide a better life for his family, Lin Yichao worked tirelessly, like a whirlwind, never stopping. He worked from morning to night, seeing 18 patients a day (three hours per patient), and never refused any invitations to participate in charitable activities.
 
    Lin Yichao reflected, “As long as I can provide my family with a comfortable and happy life, all this hard work is worth it! My children will also feel proud to have such a father in the future!”
 
    Despite his busy work schedule, Lin Yichao always made the most of weekends to take his family on outings, enjoying scenic trips and leisure activities. During longer holidays, he would meticulously plan trips for the entire family to travel abroad together.
 
    Since Lin Yichao enjoys driving his family around, he specifically searched for and commissioned a car dealership to import a seven-seater SUV from Nissan (Nissan Quest). At the time, it was the only one of its kind in the Yuenlin area of Changhua.
 
    To enjoy his new car, Lin Yichao would go out almost every weekend. He never hesitated to spend money on family outings, and there was no famous tourist spot or scenic area in the country that his family hadn’t visited.
 
    At the time, Lin Yichao believed that his family must be filled with joy, but the outcome was unexpected—his wife confided in him, sighing, “We understand that you put a lot of effort into planning the trip, but after driving for so long, once we arrive at the destination, it's only the two of us playing together. You're already too tired to accompany us.”
 
    Lin Yichao, who enjoyed the long drive, calculated that on Sunday alone, after deducting the round-trip driving time and rest periods, he had only spent time driving and enjoying the scenery along the way, plus one meal with his family.
 
    Lin Yichao reflected on his past self, realizing that he had imposed his personal interest in travel on his family. This wasn't “true companionship.” During weekdays, he was always busy with his clinic work from morning to night, and on weekends, he was exhausted from driving on trips. He had never once told his children a bedtime story or read them a picture book, leaving all of that to his wife.
 
 Family Travel: Island Migration
    After the children grew up and started school, Lin Yichao began to have expectations for their academic performance. Especially his eldest daughter, whom he considered intelligent and quick-witted, he believed she had a bright future ahead of her, so he set particularly high standards for her.
 
    However, when his eldest daughter entered junior high school, he began to notice something was off—her emotional control deteriorated, she lost patience with her younger siblings, and she even frequently argued with them. After school, she would lock herself in her room and rarely interact with the family, and her academic performance plummeted.
 
    At the time, Lin Yichao and his wife believed their eldest daughter's condition was simply a typical “rebellious phase” common among teenagers. However, they later realized her mental and physical state was not merely a rebellious phase. As parents witnessing their child's suffering, they felt both heartbroken and helpless.
 
    To reduce the root cause of his child's stress, Lin Yichao and his wife decided to give their child a new environment, hoping that their children could grow up healthy and safe. In July 2005, they moved their entire family to Hualien.
 
    By chance, Lin Yichao met Dr. Huang Wenxiong, the director of Menno Hospital, at a church in Hualien. At Dr. Huang's invitation, he joined the dental department of the Christian Menno Hospital.
 
    Lin Yichao is deeply grateful to his wife for supporting him in relocating the entire family to Hualien and sharing the immense family pressures. At that time, he frequently flew back and forth between Hualien and Taichung. During the journeys, a song often came to mind: “Zhang San's Song.”
 
I will take you everywhere to fly.
To explore the world
No worries, no sorrow.
Free and unfettered, heart and mind at ease
Forget the pain, forget that place.
Let's set off together to wander.
Though we have no grand houses or fine clothes
Our hearts are filled with hope.
We will fly to that distant place to take a look.
This world is not so bleak.
We will fly to that distant place to take a glance.
This world is still filled with light.
 
    For the sake of his beloved children, Lin Yichao resolutely gave up everything, took his wife and children to Hualien, and after several years, the children's physical and mental conditions gradually stabilized. They finally gained the understanding of their elders and, under God's guidance, endured the most difficult period.
 
Creating teeth strong enough to chew bones for everyone
    After beginning his medical practice in Hualien, Lin Yichao deeply felt the urgent need for dental care among the general public. To provide timelier, convenient, and direct medical services, three years later he decided to leave Menno Hospital, completely close the “Yichao Dental Clinic” in Yuanlin, and relocate all medical equipment and supplies to Hualien to reopen the “Lincoln Dental Clinic.”
 
    Many friends have curiously asked Lin Yichao, “Why did you name the clinic ‘Lincoln Dental Clinic’?” “Is it because you admire the American president, Lincoln?” “This name sounds like a common market name, doesn't it?” In response to these questions, he consistently and firmly tells them, “This is the ‘revelation’ God gave me.”
 
    Lin Yichao explained, "My surname is Lin. Under God's guidance, I moved to eastern Taiwan, settled down, and started a new life. With a heart filled with humility and sincerity, I aim to establish a new dental care haven for the people of Hualien! I am willing to follow the destiny and light God has given me, to abandon my former self-centered, self-righteous life, and to improve my professional skills with a serious and responsible attitude. The ultimate goal of my clinic is to provide every patient who comes for treatment with teeth strong enough to chew bones!"
Therefore, the four characters “Keng, Ken, Ken, Ken” form the name of Lincoln Dental Clinic, embodying its core values and mission—“Caring for Every Tooth with Heart and Soul.” This is not only his personal aspiration and self-discipline but also an unwavering commitment and guarantee to every patient.
 
    Lin Yichao hopes to provide more care to his patients and build a friendly doctor-patient relationship. After experiencing the hardships of patients traveling long distances to seek medical care in the remote areas of Hualien, he became even more aware of his calling as a dentist—not merely to earn money, but to fulfill the mission of helping others.
 
Overseas Medical Missions: Enriching the Soul
    Since the implementation of Taiwan's universal health insurance program in March 1995, Dr. Lin Yichao and a group of like-minded Christian dentists established the “Chinese Dental Service Team.” They decided to shift their volunteer dental care services from remote islands and rural areas to overseas regions. Their first overseas mission took them to Pokhara, the second-largest city in Nepal.
 
    The journey began in Kathmandu and required an eight-hour trek over mountainous terrain to reach the destination. All team members crammed into an extremely old vehicle, with luggage strapped to the roof.
 
    Lin Yichao described the journey: “This long and arduous road was reminiscent of Taiwan's Su-Hua Highway, with narrow, winding mountain roads, one side sheer cliffs, the other swift-flowing rivers, and extremely poor road conditions. Every time the vehicle passed over uneven sections of the road, if the speed was slightly too fast, everyone would be jolted out of their seats!”
 
    After this bumpy and swaying journey, Lin Yichao and his group finally arrived in Pokhara. The exhausting journey had come to an end, and everyone sincerely thanked God for protecting them and allowing them to reach their destination—the “Light of Life Primary School.” This school was built on land donated by a 101-year-old Christian elder, with additional donations from everyone. The purpose of establishing this school is to provide children in remote mountainous areas with the opportunity to receive an education and come to know God.
 
    The next morning, many patients arrived barefoot, waiting in line. Some had walked nearly two hours along the rocky mountain paths. For many of these patients, this was their first-ever dental treatment.
 
    Additionally, they visited another care center—the Chitwan Sarai Orphanage for Girls in southern Nepal. This orphanage was established by a Baptist pastor who could not bear to see poor girls from impoverished families being sold to India, so he founded this children’s home specifically to shelter girls. The pastor and his wife carefully attend to the girls' daily needs, provide them with educational opportunities, and, through their faith, comfort the wounded hearts of these young girls.
 
    To date, Lin Yichao has participated in two medical missions to Nepal, two to Qinghai, two to Kenya, one to India, and one to Myanmar. Facilitating the implementation of the “Dentist Home Visit Medical Service” under the Long-Term Care 2.0 program in the Hualien region. He firmly believes in Jesus' teachings in Matthew 25:40: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
 
    Looking back on his journey, Lin Yichao reflects that God spared his life from a life-threatening illness in his youth, and there must be a divine purpose behind it. “Dentistry” is his life's calling, and he will continue to strive, dedicate himself, and serve in the days to come, living out the purpose God has ordained for his life.
 
Healing the body and the soul
    In 2017, during a routine meeting of the Hualien County Dental Association's board of directors, the then-chairman mentioned that the National Health Insurance Bureau had requested assistance from Hualien-based member dentists to address the current situation where home dental care services in the Hualien-Taitung region remained at zero.
 
    Lin Yichao recalls that at the time, everyone looked at each other in silence, with no one willing to take on the task. However, a thought crossed his mind: “Over the years, I have consistently participated in overseas dental missions. Shouldn't providing home-based medical services in my own country be no worse than going to underdeveloped countries for missions?”
 
    Seeing everyone remain silent, Lin Yichao's sense of responsibility and justice could no longer be contained. He raised his hand and spoke up: “I am willing to be a pioneer and set an example for those who join later, paving the way for them.”
 
    The winding rural roads led them to their first patient's home—ah Ming's house in Tongmen Village. The home visit team entered the house, put on protective gear, and immediately began dividing tasks. Lin Yichao busied himself with turning on the computer and reviewing medical records while also checking in with Ah Ming's wife: “How is Ah Ming's health lately?” “Did you follow the toothbrushing instructions I taught you last time?”
 
    In the clinic, with all the necessary equipment and lighting, any treatment is easy to perform. However, during home visits, even the simplest routine oral examination becomes challenging.
 
    Based on the principle of “whole-person care,” Lin Yichao's team not only cares for patients but also extends warmth and support to their caregivers.
 
    Looking at Ah Ming's wife, with her shy smile and slender frame, it was clear that caring for her tall, bedridden husband was no easy task. When the nurse asked Ah Ming's wife to demonstrate how to clean his mouth, the entire team noticed that her own upper teeth were almost completely missing—this was the reality of being the primary caregiver at home...
 
    Lin Yichao hopes that his medical team, when entering patients' homes, not only provides care for the patients but also actively shows concern and companionship to the caregivers. On one hand, they conduct oral hygiene education; on the other hand, they check in on the family members with warmth and care. He hopes that this brief time together can make the caregivers feel cared for, valued, and supported, knowing that they can continue on their journey.
 
    Therefore, Lin Yichao's team always works in perfect harmony. After the consultation, team members will naturally invite family members to gather around the bedside and pray sincerely together.
 
    Those gentle and warm prayers are their heartfelt care for the patient and their family, as well as their passion and dedication to the work of “dental home care.”
 
Promoting the Good Dad Movement—Founding the Dad Loves Family Association
    When a father comes back to life, the family comes back to life.
 
    For Lin Yichao, being a “father” and a “doctor” are the two most important roles in his life.
 
    He has a deep understanding of the principles of “a doctor is like a father” and “treating patients like family,” but the role of “father” in his family has made him walk this path with caution and continues to present him with challenges.
 
    From a young age, his father was an authoritative figure to Lin Yichao. Due to his left leg disability from a childhood illness, his father was relatively lenient and affectionate toward him, but when he lost his temper, he was fierce and intimidating.
 
    In traditional families, parents didn't focus on communication skills with their children. If a child did something wrong, they were disciplined harshly. As Lin Yichao grew older, he found his father's negative words increasingly unbearable, leading to a lack of emotional connection and even occasional defiance, often ending in arguments.
 
    As he grew older, Lin Yichao started his own family and began to improve his relationship with his father. He made efforts to meet his father's expectations, opened a business in his hometown, started a family, and provided for his children and grandchildren. To express his filial piety, he even bought his father the Volvo car he had always desired, no longer arguing with him.
 
    In late November 2010, the “Taiwan Pushla Nu Dad School” borrowed a church venue, and Lin Yichao was drawn in by a phrase on the flyer: “A father is the strongest man!” Some even describe a father as the strongest person in the world.” “You cannot choose your father, but you can decide what kind of father you want to be! Know your strength, for your influence is immense!”
 
    Lin Yichao was curious about what such a course would teach. After participating and gaining a deeper understanding, he was deeply moved by the program.
 
    The “Daddy School” uses carefully designed courses, guided by the Holy Spirit, to help fathers express their inner thoughts. In a relaxed environment without their wives present, they can be understood, accepted, and encouraged by the brothers and sisters in attendance.
 
    The structure of the four-session program is based on the biblical roles of “prophet,” “priest,” “king,” and “heir” assigned to fathers, helping them fulfill their various roles effectively in both family and workplace settings. Rooted in God's teachings, the program helps fathers in the secular world establish correct values, cultivate loving relationships, fulfill their leadership roles, and leave a positive legacy.
 
    The final session of Dad School is held in conjunction with the graduation ceremony, and fathers are required to invite their wives or family members to attend. When Lin Yichao learned that he would have to read aloud the letter he wrote to his wife in front of everyone, he felt anxious and nervous. However, as soon as he began reading, he couldn't get past the first few sentences before his voice choked up, tears welling in his eyes and flowing freely, sobbing uncontrollably.
 
    Before the Dad School program concluded, the final ritual was to wash their wives' feet.
 
    The “foot-washing ceremony” symbolized a commitment, hoping that all participants would change their lives from that point onward. After the program ended, they would no longer simply receive service from others but would go out to serve others; they would no longer rely on their own abilities but on the power of Jesus' love to firmly lead their families.
 
    The 38th session of the “Pull-Up-Your-Socks Dad School” concluded on November 28, 2010. From that day forward, Lin Yichao resolved to return to God's Word, set aside his selfish expectations for his children, cease pursuing worldly values, and learn to see his children through God's eyes.
 
Cheers to all dads!
    After graduating from the “Tirzah Dad School,” Lin Yichao was deeply moved and inspired. He eagerly desired to serve and grow alongside this group of fathers who love the Lord, actively participating in the promotion of dad schools in the Hualien region, including Meilun Baptist Church, Boai Baptist Church, Hualien Lingliang Church, Hualien Truth Church, and Taitung Baptist Church, and even sharing for the first time at Tzu Chi University.
 
    Driven by this inspiration, passion, and sense of mission, Lin Yichao decided to formally establish a local organization dedicated to building fatherhood in Hualien. He thanked God for opening the way and guiding him, and a group of father volunteers formed the “Association Promotion Team.” Overcoming numerous challenges and working tirelessly, they drafted the mission statement and bylaws amidst their busy schedules, and on September 29, 2014, the organization was officially registered and approved.
 
    Lin Yichao was unanimously elected as the first chairman of the “Hualien County Fathers Love Family Association” at the board meeting, leading the fathers in launching the association's ministry movement. This spiritual education initiative continues to this day.
 
    The mission of the Hualien County Fathers' Association is to build up, assist, and encourage fathers, empowering them to lead, protect, manage, and pass on family values, thereby bringing happiness to their families. The philosophy is to honor every father, regardless of his religious beliefs, while actively promoting the “Good Father Movement.”
 
    At the “Daddy Power Station” (88 Power Station), every participating father can share their experiences through courses designed around male-specific topics. Everyone is listened to with empathy and understanding, and in a relaxed environment, they can express their innermost thoughts, encourage and support one another, spark self-reflection, and further consider how to better fulfill their roles as “fathers,” “husbands,” “sons,” and their own “work roles,” thereby receiving truth and enjoying love in a fellowship of love.
 
    The excitement and help this course brought to Lin Yichao still linger in his heart, and thus the educational work of the “Daddy Power Station” has become an important driving goal in his current stage of life.
 
    Lin Yichao and all his colleagues hope that this spiritual education can start from Hualien and spread throughout Taiwan. This is a movement that combines missionary revival and transformation, a movement of the Holy Spirit and prayer, and a movement of the people of Christ.
 
Lin Yichao's Experience
Part-time Lecturer, Department of Dentistry, Kaohsiung Medical University
Lecturer, Dental Technology Department, Chung Tai Medical and Technical College
Dentist, Changhua Christian Hospital
He is a consulting dentist at the Christian Mennonite Hospital.
He is a member of the American P.O.S. Orthodontic Society.
He is a member of the Taiwan Clinical Orthodontic Society.
He is the director of Yichao Dental Clinic.
Current position: Director of Hualien Lincoln Dental Clinic.
Domestic volunteer dental clinics: From 1982 to 1985, he provided dental care in remote areas such as Taitung, Hualien, Hsinchu, and Lanyu.

    Overseas Volunteer Work: Since 2005, it has provided medical services in Qinghai and Tibet, China; India; Myanmar; Nepal; Thailand; Cambodia; and Kenya and Swaziland in Africa.
 

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