It is amazing how time flies! As we sent out our last newsletter, we shared about preparing for a surgical eye-camp down in Beit Bridge, a 4-hour drive from Bulawayo. Unfortunately, because of continued heavy rains particularly in that area the day we arrived, patients were unable to cross rivers or assess their walking paths, thus we only saw 19 patients, and performed 1 operation.

Although some folks might say that was a wasted trip down and back, we think not. A man rode down with us and for 4 hours, we had the opportunity to share Christ and the importance of spiritual eyesight.  That man realized he could see with his physical eyes but that His eyes to Christ were blinded. What a joy to be able to lead him to Jesus! We gave him a Bible and encouraged him to read the book of John. Several days later, he texted Steve to say he was reading his Bible.

Yes, our heart is to use our skills to help people here in Zimbabwe with their physical eyesight, but when God gives us the opportunity to share Him, we want to be obedient.

We returned to Bulawayo on Friday a few weeks ago in time to collect our daughter Rachel and husband Thomas, as well as Thomas’ cousin, Courtney Kennedy. Although they left after a quick 10- day trip, we have put them to work. The rains did not keep us away from doing a non-surgical eye camp in a new rural area where Steve saw 92 patients and we distributed 68 pairs of glasses. Rachel, Thomas and Courtney took turns standing in the rain at the clinic checking vision as the local people continued to praise God for the rain. They never complained and waited patiently holding their umbrellas.

The following day, Rachel, Thomas and Courtney all shared at a local high school about their careers and the importance of studying hard in school. Then, they had the opportunity to serve at the “Soup Kitchen”, a ministry on Tuesdays and Fridays that serves a hot meal to about 150 homeless people in the city of Bulawayo. Rachel also gave a pharmacy lecture in oncology to the local medical doctors. Later the same evening, Rachel and Courtney spent some time sharing with girls in a local orphanage.

While I was busy transporting and being involved with Rachel, Thomas and Courtney, Steve was assisting Mater Dei Hospital in a surgical eye camp, which resulted in 68 folks having cataract surgeries.

We took Rachel, Thomas and Courtney to Victoria Falls and while we saw the amazing and powerful falls, Steve again, participated in another surgical eye camp. Steve had been informed 3 days prior that 2 American ophthalmologists and 3 optometrists would be in Victoria Falls. He offered his services and they gladly accepted his assistance. Steve said interpreters were short that day so he was thankful that he knew the local language, and he spent a great amount of time as a translator for this medical team, as well as performing surgery and seeing a host of patients.

We then spent 2 nights in Hwange National Game Reserve viewing an amazing amount of animals. There was so much water everywhere that we thought we would not be seeing much wildlife, but God allowed us to see elephants, buffalo, giraffe, sable, kudu, impala, warthog, zebra, 4 cheetahs, 6 lions, a leopard and the most incredible bird life.

We received word that the shipping container with supplies and equipment had finally been cleared. We are so very thankful to God for this good news and it has already been unpacked and is being organized for use!

Thank you for reading and thank you for your continued support.

Blessings,
Steve and Jane Beaty