Dear Friends and Supporters:

We have arrived back in the US, and want to thank you once again for your prayers and thoughts while we were in Zimbabwe and South Africa these last six weeks.

Looking back at all God did, we rejoice and thank Him for using us to help so many, and for protecting and providing for us and those who came alongside to help. It was a wonderful honor to serve, meet new colleagues and acquaintances, mentor and be a part of raising the standard of medical care to a new and higher plane of excellence.

Here are some facts and figures from our time in Zimbabwe during July and August:

• We had a total of 11 co-laborers who came from the US to work in a wide variety of ministries
• A total of 27 hours of lectures, talks and medical courses were delivered at a number of seminars, classes and congresses
• We examined and treated 692 patients
• We performed 25 surgical procedures on patients sent to us for consultation by various doctors
• The first low vision support group on the continent of Africa began in the city of Bulawayo
• The first computer generated simulation to teach the examination of a patient with crossed eyes and amblyopia was presented at the Zimbabwe Ophthalmological Society Congress
• The training and teaching program arm of the new pediatric eye hospital in Bulawayo was initiated

In addition to all the above, we were able to forge new friendships with the academic heads of the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Zimbabwe;  we hope these great relationships will allow us opportunities to mentor and teach training ophthalmologists in the future.

We also had opportunities to mentor four different individuals in their pursuit of faith,  and we pray that our time with them will bear fruit. Zimbabwe is on the verge of major transition and change, but there are vast human needs, especially in the area of healthcare. Our scope of ministry has widened significantly this year, but there is so much more that is needed to raise the standard of care, especially in eye health.

Two particular projects, which we are working to initiate, involve screening patients for ocular complications of HIV of premature birth. We also hope to expand our rural village eye camps in 2016 – these are always incredibly effective in bringing eye care to the most needy and the poorest of the Zimbabwe people.

Thank you once again for your interest, your prayers and your support of us as we seek to continue to minister to the needy of Zimbabwe and Southern Africa.  We look forward to our next communication with you.

Rich Blessings,

Steve & Jane Beaty
Eyecare to the Needy