Dear Friends and Supporters,

These last two months of work and ministry have drawn to a close. As we look back on what God has done, we are amazed and grateful for the many ways He used our work to bless people in Zimbabwe. We did have concerns and hesitations about making this latest venture with the COVID pandemic, especially into a place with poor health care and with several encouraging us to be cautious. However, we felt strongly that God was leading us to bring encouragement to Zimbabwe, to a people desperate and in need.

In spite of the obstacles and issues surrounding lockdowns and restrictions, we were able to hold four eye camps, the last one held at Bulawayo Baptist Church. With the mandate on social distancing and restrictions on public gatherings, we were told that 75 people had been registered for that particular eye camp. As the long day of examinations and dispensing of glasses grew to a close, we were told that 135 people had been seen. This was not a surprise as we often exceed our number of scheduled patients. Africa just overwhelms one in ministry because of the enormous needs of the people. The greatest challenge is keeping an attitude of kindness and compassion in the midst of the crowds wishing to be seen. As we look back on the eye camps as we’ve described, we thank God for giving us strength and endurance, as well as compassion for each patient seen and encountered.

During this most recent trip we organized and sorted two shipments of supplies and equipment, gave lectures to medical students, mentored the doctors at the Richard Morris Eye Hospital, conducted eye camps, set up a new eye unit with two operating rooms with equipment and supplies at the Mater Dei Hospital, and initiated a Memorandum of Understanding between that hospital and the local ophthalmologists. We were also able to help coordinate the relationship between a local optometric group and ophthalmologists, increasing cooperation for the good of the patients in the southern half of Zimbabwe. We now have facilities set up to cater to all patients, regardless of their financial status.

All in all, we look back on this episode of our long history of work in Zimbabwe and we thank God for so much that has been accomplished for those in need who can now receive both support and treatment. We also thank God for the spiritual eyes that have been opened, and the resulting impact for His Kingdom.

Thank you again for your prayers and for your support of our work to help those in need in Zimbabwe and Africa.

Steve and Jane Beaty