Dear Friends and Supporters:

We have just completed our first week here in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, and it has been packed full of activity and ministry. We arrived last Sunday afternoon, and our jet lag only allowed us to sleep three to four hours those first three nights before our body clocks reset.

A team of five people representing an organization called MITE from North Carolina arrived the day after us, barely making it out of the US because of the snowstorm “bomb” that hit the eastern US. They were here to document the new glaucoma laser that we had placed at the eye center in August. They were able to observe a number of glaucoma laser procedures that we performed, and they also interviewed several patients.

We also involved them in two rural eye camps, treating patients who are very poor and in need. They assisted us in vision testing, glasses dispensing, and praying with patients. The team expressed their joy and praise to God for allowing them to participate in restoring physical vision as well as ministering to so many spiritually. The MITE team has departed, and we believe that their hearts have been touched by what God is doing here in Zimbabwe.

Yesterday we both unloaded our last shipment which contained more medical supplies and a new cataract machine. Our good friend, Brendan Mitchell, has helped us in so many ways over the last fourteen years. He usually receives the shipments and keeps them secure until we arrive. This latest shipment arrived on Christmas morning. He took of his time to take it off the consignment truck with his company’s forklift and store it in a secure place at his factory. We are grateful to God for Brendan and for his kindness to us.

We will be receiving Dr. Tim Sipos and his fiancé, Dr. Andrea Fenton, tomorrow. Dr. Sipos will be teaching retina surgery, and Dr. Fenton will teach endodontics. We pray that their flights will arrive safely.

On Wednesday, we will also be receiving Dr. Janet and Charles Purkey and Jennifer Laster, they are Jane’s two sisters who are coming to join us for a couple of weeks. The Purkey’s daughter, Sarah and her husband, Matt, will arrive the following Monday.

Once again, thank you for your prayers for us as we labor here to bring hope to those who are in great need.

Steve and Jane Beaty