Faces

Dallas resident Rose Allen takes seriously the Bible's command to pray for those in authority. She formed Badge of Honor-a program that joins police and fire officials with church prayer partners. Some 100 Dallas-area officers have become part of the program. Throughout the year, those officers receive encouragement notes and birthday cards from prayer partners at Ms. Allen's church (Hillcrest). As a former medical missionary in Mexico, plastic surgeon Dennis Nigro was haunted by the faces of children disfigured from tragic diseases or accidents. Upon his return to the United States, he founded Fresh Start-a nonprofit organization that has provided over $6 million worth of free surgery for children since 1991 (WORLD, Dec. 14, 1996). Eight times a year, Dr. Nigro transforms his San Diego office into a free surgery center where more than 500 medical volunteers donate their time. Dr. Howard Clark is something of a legend in Morton, Miss. In this town of 3,200, the 73-year-old Sunday school teacher doubles as a dedicated house-call doctor. He visits elderly patients, works the night shift at the local emergency room, and treats area high-school sports teams. His dedication recently earned him the Country Doctor of the Year award from Staff Care-a national physician staffing firm.