One Story of Many

 When this guy got to us in dispensing through the process of testing, we were told that we probably could not fit him for glasses because he was completely blind in the left eye and could only see shadows with his right eye. My partner and I focused on trying to find something that would work, and when we found this pair of glasses, he pretty much jumped off his chair, telling us he could see. What a big smile lit his face!

We asked if we could take his picture, and he agreed. When asked to sign the release form, he told us he had not signed his name in years because he could not see to do so. 

The person who put the glasses on him took him outside to see if the glasses would work, and he was so excited that he could see across the street. He handed her the glasses as they walked back into the church, but then he asked if he could have the glasses back so he would not have to be led like he has been. How exciting this was for us. 

From our station, he went to the eyeglass fitting station, where the ladies fitted the glasses to his face. He told them he would not need sunglasses because he would not be able to see anything without these glasses. The fitters were able to find sunglasses that fit over his glasses, so he now has sunglasses, as well as glasses, to see what he could not see before!!

Other events like this took place over the week, and we were so blessed to see these events at the different stations. The Lord provided well for the adults and children who needed glasses. 

If you have glasses or sunglasses lying around, please let one of us know or send them to MOST so they can be used by future teams. We especially needed men's glasses. 

Saturday, November 23, 2024. Day 8, Heading Home

 Early Saturday morning, we once again headed to the pastor's home for a great breakfast prepared by his wife and sister. What we found was the electricity was off, but fortunately, the cooks have a gas stove and prepared scrambled eggs and biscuits. While they finished up the meal, we had devotions by candlelight -- actually, phone light. 

As we completed our devotions and prayer time, the lights came on. We ate breakfast, took some more pictures, and loaded into the van to head to the airport. 

Check-in went smoothly. We did some souvenir shopping in the airport, and then it was time to load for our flight. 

Once we arrived at DFW, we had time to get something to eat before catching flights to our separate cities. The Oklahoma group was delayed but eventually got to Tulsa in the early hours of Sunday morning. 

New friendships were made among our group and with our Belizean friends. Eyesight was improved with glasses given to about 400. But, most importantly, many were introduced to the love of God and the availability of a church in their community. 

Friday, November 22, 2024. Day 7, Outing Day

 After breakfast with the pastor’s family today, we took a short van ride to the river where we got on a speedboat and traveled 35 miles to the Mayan ruins at Lamanai. We stopped along the way to observe crocodiles and iguanas and turtles and many birds, so it took a couple of hours to get there. 

Upon arrival at the site we ate lunch, that the river driver had brought with us, and then we hiked about a mile through the forrest to see the 7 different Mayan Temple sites.

While we were at the first temple ruin we got to see a monkey swinging through the trees.

We also learned today, how Orange Walk, Belize, got its name. When the Mayans arrived at the river years ago, there was an orange grove up the pathway from the river to their temple, and so the inhabitants referred to it as Orange Walk.

We were blessed today with beautiful weather,  and the tour guide and the river boat driver, who are both native Mayans, told us that they saw more wildlife today than they had in quite a while. 

We thank the Lord for all of His care for us during this time in Belize, and we ask that you keep us in your prayers as we travel back to our respective homes tomorrow. We have felt your prayers during this mission service.

 

Thursday, November 21, 2024. Day 6, Day 4 of the Clinic

 As the last day of our clinic came to an end we were all curious about our total of glasses given and people served, especially after the busy day we had today — and the total for today is 155 people! We were so busy that we had to eat lunch in shifts to keep up with the visitors coming to the clinic. Each day the pastor’ wife and his sister have brought lunch to us at the clinic, so we didn’t have to leave and hurry to return.Today their bringing the meal to us was important to keep people flowing through the stations. What wonderful meals we have had! 

After yesterday’s extremely hot and humid and the rainy day, we also welcomed a cooler day today of only 84°. Since we were so busy, it made the work a bit easier. 

This week the church here hired a painter to paint the name of the church and Luther’s Rose and the hours of the service on the building. It was fun to watch him work each day freehand drawing with only a level and a ruler. 

We ended our three and a half day clinic giving out  500 pairs of glasses and 400 pairs of sunglasses to  371 people.

We have been very grateful for the help of our translators that you see pictured here with our team. 

Tomorrow we will go on an outing and then we will all fly home on Saturday. 

We ask your continued prayers for safe travels. Please continue to pray for the seeds that were planted this week. Also, pray for the pastor and the church here. 

Wednesday, November 20, 2024, Day 5, Day 3 of the Clinic

 Today ended with quite the rain storm, and the downpour was very noisy as it hit the tin roof above us. Early in the day traffic was pretty slow at the clinic, and at one time I even asked my prayer partners to pray for traffic to pick up — and for snow (as a joke). God did answer our prayers, and traffic did pick up! We saw 85 people today And, as I said, we got a big rainstorm. When I texted back to some of those that I had texted earlier in the day, I said, “I asked for snow, not rain.” The comment I got back was, “It’s melting before it gets to you.” 

Yesterday I wrote about how the clinic works, and I wrote about how the first thing is that the pastor tells those who come about salvation. One of our team members gives out salvation bracelets and salvation puppets, and then the person continues to an eye health assessment. 

At this time each person is given an eye dropper bottle and instructions about using a saline solution they can mix up on their own. Groups and congregations often put together kits and donate these to MOST.

After the assessment, the person is tested for reading  and distance. 

With a number for reading and a number for distance, the person then goes to dispensing where glasses are pulled and then used to test for correctness of good vision.

With glasses in hand the person then goes to fitting where the ear piece is fitted, screws are tightened, and the glasses are straightened. Each person also gets cases for the safe keeping of their glasses and they also get a pair of sunglasses 😎.

We thank the Lord for His continued blessing of the clinic, and we look forward to hosting the clinic for one more day. Continue to keep us and the wonderful people of Belize in your prayers.

Tuesday, November 19, 2024. Day 4, Day 2 of the Clinic

 Today we were able to hold a full day of clinic 8AM - 5 PM. Because today is a national holiday in Belize,  some who came today were children. What a privilege it is to be able to offer them better eyesight. In total we had 98 go through, and many were able to get a pair of glasses for distance and another for reading.

Yesterday evening and again this evening, we had the privilege of spending some time with LCMS missionary to Belize, Rev. Wildauer. He expressed his sincere appreciation, on behalf of the congregations of Belize, for the LWML Grant received in 2022 for the building of the Mercy House in Belmopan.The grant money funded the building of the Mercy House next to the elementary school and Christ Lutheran Church. By bringing the dental clinic and other programs to the Lutheran campus, it continues to lead people to the Church and connect them with the missionaries. Below is a picture of our team with the local pastor and Rev. Wildauer.

Here is how we run the clinic:

When a person arrives here, he or she will register with the pastor‘s daughter, who will then ask them to take a seat to be part of a small group that the pastor will address.

The pastor talks about the witness bracelets and tells the story of salvation.

A couple of our team members also talk about this and explain how to go through the clinic.

Two members each take a medical history of the person’s eyesight and send him or her on to be tested.

Eyesight testing is followed by dispensing of the glasses. Then the glasses are fitted to a person’s face.Then each person receives a case for each pair of glasses, and they also receive a pair of sunglasses. 

(Pictures of those last stations to be posted tomorrow.)

God has blessed us with great interpreters and a great place to hold the clinic. We continue to praise Him for this opportunity to share the love of Christ through the action of giving eyeglasses.

Monday, November 18, 2024. Day 3, Day 1 of the Clinic

 The good news is that we did arrive in Belize this morning around 10:30 AM!

We were able to get to the town of our clinic destination a little after noon. The pastor’s family  served us a wonderful lunch of rice and beans with plantains and baked chicken. 

After our lunch, we went to the church and we were able to get set up and conduct a two hour clinic which served 32 people in need of glasses today. 

We thank the Lord for safe travels today, and for our wonderful hosts here! We praise Him for the opportunity to serve, and we look forward to a full day of the eyeglass clinic tomorrow.