Dear Friends and Supporters;

Thank you for your prayers this last week as we have been preparing for Dr. Matthew West’s visit to be the first retina surgeon in our training program. Dr West, originally from Columbus, GA, now resides with his family in Birmingham, AL where he is a partner with Retina Specialists of Alabama.  It is interesting to note that Matt joined us 20 years ago on our team here to Zimbabwe as he had just finished university and was applying to the University of Georgia Medical School. Matt has a heart for missions and through his experience with Steve came a desire to go into ophthalmology and is now a board-certified retinal surgeon. We are thrilled to welcome Matt back as “Dr. Matt West.”  Steve and the two Australian nurses have worked to prepare the surgical suite; they have had several setbacks, but all is well.

For example, the machine that runs the retina surgical equipment requires compressed air or nitrogen to run. We attempted to use the hospital compressor to deliver the required pressure, but it was inadequate. We had to buy a new compressor from the capital, and that problem has been solved.

Dr. West arrived yesterday and is resting in preparation for the first day of retina consultations and teaching. Dr. Moyo, our local trainee, is anticipating a busy and new season of training.

Steve spent the week consulting, delivering lectures, doing some charitable cataract surgeries and leading an eye camp at a small town, Gwanda, situated an hour and a half away along a treacherous road. We saw over a hundred patients, the Gospel was presented, and many of the people attending the clinic were found to have extremely high blood pressure (one lady with 230/240 blood pressure).

We anticipate a very busy week with Dr. West. Please continue to uplift us in your prayers that the equipment will work, and that a great number of patients will receive their eyesight back through the ministry and work of our eye team.

Blessings. Steve and Jane Beaty