Dear Friends and Supporters,

We want to give you an update of what has happened since we arrived back in late March from our latest trip to Zimbabwe. As we communicated to you in a previous message, we were able to continue surgical skills training with a focus on cataracts and other surgeries, and we were so pleased to observe the improvement in skills of the training doctors at the hospital. However, our last shipment of supplies and equipment was held up because of some processing issues. In good news, three weeks ago we rejoiced to hear that the shipment had finally cleared customs, and was safely stored for us to unload during our next visit in July.

We also received more good news a couple of weeks ago. We submitted a grant application late last year to the Alcon Corporation for a cataract surgical machine to be placed at The Richard Morris Eye Hospital for teaching cataract surgery. We were notified by them that we had been approved to receive this wonderful technology and we rejoice in knowing our instruction and patient care will be enhanced. We also received a grant to refurbish and upgrade our surgical microscope in Zimbabwe. This will also enable us to provide better surgical expertise and services to the patients whom we care for.

When we return to Zimbabwe in July, Dr. Erick Bothun, from Mayo Clinic, and Dr. Faruk Orge, from Case Western University, will join us. We will all be teaching eye surgery and management in children with eye diseases at Richard Morris Eye Hospital where we have at least twenty surgical cases awaiting our arrival.

This year is becoming very fruitful for our ministry, and we thank God for His hand of guidance. We also thank our doctor colleagues at West Georgia Eye Care in Columbus, Georgia for their encouragement. Lastly, we thank you for your continued support and prayers for us.

Steve and Jane Beaty