Dear friends,

Let it be known that it has rained almost daily for the past 3 weeks here in Bulawayo and we give thanks to God for sending the rain. It has been an amazing 5 weeks. We are now into our last week before we head back to the states on Monday. We wanted to give an update about our 2 most recent eye camps. One was located about 3 hours from here in an area where it has been 5 years since an eye doctor visited. We arrived at 8am to the Lukosi clinic (close to Hwange town) and eventually pulled away at 7:30pm that evening. Steve managed to see 280 folks and Jane distributed 165 pairs of glasses. Unfortunately we were still not able to see the remaining 97 people who had come to the eye camp. Their names were taken, and Lord willing, we will return at a later date. Steve did book 35 people with severe cataracts for surgery and hopes to return to a nearby hospital in Hwange town to complete their operations when we return in July. We named this eye camp the “Tsunami” eye camp because people kept coming in from everywhere!  Needless to say, God gave us His strength that day for it was HOT and LONG.

Last Thursday, we did return to an area where we had visited 2 years ago for another eye camp. As we drove out that morning, dark skies surrounded every corner and we felt the heavens would shower down rain at any moment. It was amazing that the 85 folks that were sitting under the trees at the community center never got wet because it never rained the 5 hours we were there and only poured rain 8 minutes into our return home.

Steve switched professions and spoke on Sunday to a congregation in the city. He did say that he felt more comfortable looking into a microscope and performing delicate microscopic cataract surgery than standing in front of a congregation, but he allowed God to speak through him in regards to each one of us having a God-directed and God-centered purpose in our lives.

Sunday afternoon, Steve was the guest speaker for 41 people at the monthly low-vision support group meeting. This group began meeting 6 months ago and continues to grow as a result of a need that is being met by members encouraging and supporting one another.

Tomorrow, Tuesday, is a full day of surgery followed by another rural eye camp on Thursday. We will then begin to wrap up our time until our return in July. We are very grateful for your prayers and support in this ministry, and we ask the Lord to bless you, as you have been a blessing to us.

Sincerely,

Steve and Jane Beaty

Eyecare to the Needy