Enlarged Hearts

February 2, 2017 by beWARM.

In the medical world, cardiomegaly isn’t a disease; it is a sign of another condition caused by stress on the body or weakening of the heart, among other things.

In the world of eye missions, heart enlargement is a natural result of assisting those who would otherwise not have access to vision care.

After helping the people in Riohacha, Colombia, our hearts are expanded, filled up with the joy of serving and sharing God’s love with those in need.

My tears arrived on the first day of the project, when Sheiber, pictured above, arrived. He came to the clinic last year as a three month old with a retinoblastoma in his left eye. By the grace of God (and the expert diagnosis of our doctors), he had the tumor removed and the cancer had not spread.

His prosthesis was barely apparent. And this year his other eye was examined under anesthesia, and found to be healthy.

The gratitude and joy that his parents expressed permeated all of our hearts.

And this was but one life that our team impacted among the thousands of patients we saw.

Our team members were already equipped with expandable hearts before our arrival. Their desire to serve the poor prompted them to join our Medical Ministry International team in the first place.

And I believe that we all left Colombia with our hearts widened to the fullest.

The stories are endless…

A patient gave up her place in the line when she heard that a man who needed cataract surgery couldn’t have the procedure unless he had a companion to accompany him to the hospital. And she did this for a total stranger. (We did make sure that she was seen the next day, without having to wait hours in line.)
A young boy with very poor vision received his first pair of glasses, and began to read everything in his line of sight. When our team member wanted to clean his glasses before he took them home, he didn’t want to take them off!
Many people who had lost an eye due to disease or accident received a protheses. Young women who previously couldn’t obtain a job or were deemed unattractive had a new lease on life.

The mother of 5 year old Elizabeth arrived on our last day with a letter to our whole team, thanking us for correcting her daughter’s strabismus (crossed eye). The beautiful, touching letter that she and her daughter wrote was read to our team at our final dinner. She expressed her regret that the letter was all that she could give to us to express her gratitude.

But we assured her, amidst our tears, that her words were the best gift of all.

We were blessed by the tireless efforts of the many volunteers without whose help we couldn’t have accomplished our work.

No job was insignificant. And each person took pride in what they did – from the translators, to those who helped with patient flow, to the lovely ladies that kept the restrooms tidy. Everyone served with a smile.

And I can’t help but think that during this project their hearts expanded a bit, too.

The memory of the beautiful people in Riohacha will linger forever.

And we hope and pray that our work, representing God’s infinite love and mercy, will take root and blossom in their hearts.

But the wisdom from above is pure first of all; it is also peaceful, gentle, and friendly; it is full of compassion and produces a harvest of good deeds; it is free from prejudice and hypocrisy. ~ James 3:17 (GNT)

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Posted in General | 21 Comments

21 Responses

on February 2, 2017 at 2:03 pm | Reply lswagerty

Expandable hearts, amazing opportunities, powerful Healer!
- on February 3, 2017 at 6:30 am | Reply beWARM.
  
  Amen to that!
on February 2, 2017 at 2:10 pm | Reply elizabeth opalenik

Dear Toni,

I am so grateful to read your post and so happy for the news of Sheiber. I am sad I missed all the joyous reunions this year, but my heart was with you everyone and the great work this team does. Happy to hear all the good stories, remembering some days when all our hearts would break. You tell those stories so well. time to put them with the images.

See you in Bolivia.

Elizabeth
- on February 3, 2017 at 6:31 am | Reply beWARM.
  
  Thank you, Elizabeth! We missed you this year, and will be glad to have you with us in Bolivia!!!
on February 2, 2017 at 2:29 pm | Reply Anonymous

Thank you for your ministry to these loved ones of Jesus. Such a ministry you are involved in. Someday (when God calls me!) I might have the courage to go! I want my heart enlarged! Bless you and all those that went to enlarge hearts and cause vision and encouragement for those that maybe would never have this opportunity. You were missed, but I know you were right where God wanted you to be. Love you dear friends.
- on February 3, 2017 at 6:32 am | Reply beWARM.
  
  We will be praying that you hear God’s call, whenever it comes! We always need helpers on our team…
on February 2, 2017 at 2:45 pm | Reply Betty

Toni, the whole project couldn’t be summed up better than you have! When God is glorified (and He was, day after long day!) the eyes of our own hearts are enlarged, too – we get to see that Glory in the gratitude-filled faces of the people we had the privilege of serving. It’s an experience like no other! Thank you for your beautiful words and beautiful photos!
- on February 3, 2017 at 6:33 am | Reply beWARM.
  
  And thank you a thousand times, Betty, for your indomitable spirit and your tireless work during the project! Many were blessed by your beautiful heart!
on February 2, 2017 at 3:55 pm | Reply Lauren McMonagle

Thanks for sharing these beautiful stories!
- on February 3, 2017 at 6:33 am | Reply beWARM.
  
  My joy!!! And thank you for reading…..
on February 2, 2017 at 5:59 pm | Reply Stacy

So glad y’all had a great mission and that y’all returned safely!!! I hope we can go next year! Love, Stacy

Sent from my iPhone

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- on February 3, 2017 at 6:34 am | Reply beWARM.
  
  I hope so, too, Stacy!!!
on February 3, 2017 at 5:52 pm | Reply Anonymous

Toni, what a beautiful summary of our trip! Now that I’m home, I have so many little remembrances of the beautiful Colombian people, with their trust in us, their sense of humor and strength of spirit. I’m grateful for all I’ve witnessed over the years during the (often) long hours in the clinic. God put me just where I needed to be.

I miss you and Betty, and know that our time together in Bolivia will be here before we know it. Thank you for who you are, and the joy that we share working side by side. You are a gift to me.

Love you,
Beth
- on February 4, 2017 at 11:55 am | Reply beWARM.
  
  And you are a gift to me and Betty, Beth! It is so wonderful to serve alongside you, knowing that our hearts are joined in friendship and love of the Lord. Bolivia will be another amazing and meaningful adventure, with more deep bonding for all of us! Love to you…
on February 6, 2017 at 3:36 pm | Reply Fran

dear Toni…always so heart moving….thank you for sharing with us all…
God’s moving !
- on February 7, 2017 at 10:10 am | Reply beWARM.
  
  He is moving, indeed….always!
on February 6, 2017 at 9:16 pm | Reply beWARM.

Indeed He is!!!
on February 7, 2017 at 8:58 am | Reply Anonymous

You and your entire team are truly inspirational. Love you!
- on February 7, 2017 at 10:11 am | Reply beWARM.
  
  We have been blessed with so many amazing people who have helped us over the years!
  Sending love back to you….
on March 12, 2017 at 11:58 pm | Reply Lisa L C

Toni, thank you for all you bring to our world. These mission trips are amazing, healing, and powerful. As ever, you reflect this so beautifully in your post. xo, Lisa
on March 13, 2017 at 1:13 am | Reply beWARM.

Thanks for reading, Lisa!