Dear Friends of Eyecare;

Another week has come and gone. Days are long, but these weeks are flying by. We greeted a new friend on Monday from France, Dr. Gil Pebayle. He is an eye specialist from a moderate size town near Bordeaux, and when he arrived, he went to work right away that afternoon upon arrival.

We have spent the week both at Mater Dei at the Eye Center, and at the Richard Morris Eye Hospital. Dr. Pebayle is both a glaucoma and eye plastics specialist. Our Bulawayo colleagues had many patients line up for us to see, and together we worked all week with him teaching different surgical techniques in these areas of eye care. Dr. Pebayle even performed and taught the first glaucoma laser procedures with the new laser that had just arrived. Dr. Chimwe, our Zimbabwe colleague, will continue treating patients now that he has learned this skill.

Yesterday we welcomed Gordon and Leigh-Ann Fort as they arrived from the States via Addis Abiba, Ethiopia. They will accompany us and Dr. Pebayle to the southern part of Zimbabwe tomorrow to participate in an eye camp involving hundreds of workers at a citrus estate. This is the sixth time that we have been invited to come back and help the staff with examinations, eyeglass fittings, dispensing of medications, and setting up surgical care for those who need it. Gordon will have an opportunity to share the Gospel with staff members and surrounding farmers.

Jane and Danel, the Australian nurse, spent the week reading eyeglasses. They reorganized the many plastic containers and added many new eyeglasses that have been donated through the years.

So, we thank you for your prayers; this week was difficult with a number of very difficult operations that we performed to save eyesight, and in one case, save a patient from dying.

We look forward to sharing more of our experiences with you – we have a little more than 2 weeks remaining as we continue to use our skills and talents for the Kingdom and in restoring eyesight to so many needy people here.

Blessings to you.

Steve and Jane Beaty