Dear Friends and Supporters,

We have just concluded our latest trip of five weeks to Zimbabwe, and we look back with joy at what was accomplished during our ministry there. We continued the cataract instruction in the operating rooms of the Richard Morris Eye Hospital for the duration of the trip. It was a great blessing to see and observe the doctors and staff who incorporated new methods of patient management and surgery that we had taught. For example, we were able to show them a less painful and safer way of administering anesthesia to the eye in surgery; following the teaching, they have now changed to this technique. The training doctors also had several successful surgical outcomes with a number of happy patients, and these experiences boosted the doctors’ confidence to continue with their newly acquired surgical skills.

As we neared the end of this early 2018 trip, we looked back at all that was accomplished. We concluded that approximately 500 patients were seen and treated; 300 pairs of glasses were given away; through 11 days of surgical training in the operating room, 48 cases were performed by Steve and the training doctors; 6 Lectures were delivered; and in addition, new relationships were cultivated in the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Zimbabwe in Harare, the capital.

We look forward to returning to Zimbabwe in July and will have the privilege of being joined by Dr. Erick Bothun of the Mayo Clinic, Dr. Faruk Orge of Case Western University, and Dr. Orge from Turkey. Plans have been made for the doctors to give lectures at the Zimbabwe Ophthalmic Congress. In addition, we have identified at least 20 pediatric surgical cases that these doctors will use to teach our local colleagues in several aspects of pediatric eye surgery. We will also use these visiting doctors to conduct grand rounds and lectures for the doctors at Richard Morris Hospital.

Again, we are so thankful for the honor and privilege of serving our Lord and the people of Zimbabwe, and we look forward to our next round of work and ministry later this year. Thank you for your continued prayers and support. We are so grateful to be in this together.

Steve and Jane Beaty