Dear Friends and Supporters of Eyecare to the Needy,

We send you this update of our mission and work with fullness in our hearts over all that has been accomplished since we last wrote. The time has flown and as we prepare to depart from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe to Cape Town, South Africa, we thank God for His protection and provision in so many ways.

Two weeks ago, Steve spent the week in consultation and surgery with patients who had been referred by local doctors for various eye issues and diseases. We then had the privilege of having Dr. Erick Bothun, his wife, Cara, and their son, Dane, join us as we ministered at 2 eye camps.

We saw over 300 patients, gave out numerous pairs of glasses and distributed medicines for a variety of ailments. There was great rejoicing as many could see clearly for the first time! One gentleman we saw was a 54-year-old agriculture teacher with diabetes, but had never received an eye examination. He presented with sudden vision loss in his only well seeing eye, and we discovered that he had a severe bleed in the eye. Steve was able to take him to Mater Dei Hospital the next day, inject Avastin into the eye, and arrange for follow-up care.

We also welcomed Dr. Bob Sargent, from Denver, Colorado, and Dr. Faruk Orge, from Cleveland, Ohio. All 4 doctors led in a 3 day congress of the Zimbabwe Ophthalmological Society. A total of 17 hours of lectures focusing on pediatric eye disease were delivered, and interaction with the local eye care community was wonderful. Lasting and deep friendships were made.

We then took our American guests to see the beauty of Victoria Falls and the amazing wildlife for a couple of days, ending a very successful and productive time of ministry. We saw lives changed with both physical and spiritual healing, rejoicing that God used us in many ways!

We now journey to Cape Town, South Africa, to teach and give presentations at a cataract and refractive meeting. Thank you for your support and prayers as we continue to expand our efforts in the work that we have been called to give those who are needy.

Blessings,
Steve and Jane Beaty