Dear Friends and Supporters,

We have been in Zimbabwe four weeks, and this time around we’ve encountered very different experiences compared to our previous visits. With the worldwide COVID pandemic, most governments have mandated different rules for their citizens. Zimbabwe is also following quite strict rules to try and combat this virus.

When we arrived four weeks ago a lockdown was in force, there was a curfew from 6pm to 6am, businesses were required to close at 3pm to allow people to return home before 6pm, and no group meetings were allowed. As in every other country, masks in public were mandatory with police road blocks to catch and fine offenders. Well, the lockdown has now eased, and the curfew updated from 8pm to 5am, and businesses are allowed to remain open till 5pm.

All of these rules have had an impact on our work here, as we cannot conduct rural eye camps, as they draw large crowds of people. Instead, Steve has resumed a consulting practice at a large catholic hospital and has been able to see quite a few patients, even as we space them apart in time. He has also been fortunate to diagnose and manage a number of difficult eye diseases. One little boy had been diagnosed with an eye cancer (retinoblastoma), but when Steve checked him, he saw that the boy’s eye had a large defect from an arrest of development, and did not need the eye removed.

Patients here are very grateful when we are able to rescue and restore their eyesight, and we have had many opportunities to share the Good News with them. We have also had some wonderful times of fellowship with old and new friends here, and have had the opportunity to encourage them in the challenges and difficulties they face in this country.

Steve has been continuing his teaching at the referral eye hospital here, and also at several local eye doctors’ practices. He is lecturing the medical students at the NUST medical school, and has had a young doctor in training shadow him while seeing patients.

We hope for a further easing of restrictions, which will allow us to resume our eye camp outreach in the rural areas where so many have no access to eye care.

Thank you for your continued prayers as we adjust our ministries to help as many people here as we can in both their physical and spiritual needs.

Steve and Jane Beaty