Our MMI Bolivia team breezed through Customs when we arrived in Yapacani, thinking that this ease of entry would bode well for the project.
However, we had a host of challenges ahead.
Equipment crucial to the project wasn’t functioning.
Torrential rains flooded the roads that patients needed to travel to get to us.
One bus got stuck in the mud on the way to the clinic; another had a dead battery at the end of the day.
Roads were blocked on a day of national protest. (And yet – He made a way through when we thought there was no way.)
A wave of illnesses threaded its way through the team.
Still, we persevered, believing that God would send the very patients he wanted us to help.
And He did.
Early on, we prayed that our equipment would be fixed, the rains would cease, and, most of all, that we would build a bridge of trust with the community we served.
It only took a few days for us to be up and running as usual.
And, after some successful cataract and strabismus surgeries, the people came – by the hundreds.
The shift in their perceptions of us were palpable; later, we heard that they so appreciated being treated with dignity.
Our organization does need to keep statistics regarding the numbers of people who are served on the many MMI projects throughout the world. And we do understand that this is important to the Board of Trustees and donors.
But…. so much of a mission project is about the changes in lives that ripple and flow through the members of the communities we leave behind.
The results of eye care, both little and large – can change a life forever.
The woman pictured above is a 37 year old mother who is blind from glaucoma. When one of our doctors was examining her eyes, she meekly said that she prayed that our group could do something “just to make her see a little better.” After she received the heartbreaking news that there was nothing we could do to restore her vision, one of our compassionate doctors suggested that we give her a pair of reading glasses to protect her eyes. And then we prayed with her.
We hope that her smile comes from feeling God’s loving care.
Who could know that simply attending a church service could result in new sight? Some of our team attended a local church on the Sunday mid-project, encouraging people to come. The man on the right, a church member, told his friend (on the left), who was blind from cataracts, to come to our eye clinic. This photo was taken the day after his surgery, when he could see.
Tears of joy sprang up when little Cielo, age 2, with congenital bilateral cataracts was able to see. Initially she walked into the clinic holding onto her father’s leg, not sure of her steps. When she got home after her surgery, Cielo ran outside and played in her back yard.
God orchestrated it all.
Crossed eyes were straightened by strabismus surgery, 35 people received prostheses for injured eyes or those that had been previously removed, with remarkable results.
A pastor, upon receiving reading glasses, excitedly grabbed his Bible and starting reading Scripture verses aloud!
Most importantly, bridges of trust, faith and friendship were built.
And our team, powered through, relying on the greatest Physician of all.
….Today is holy to our Lord, so don’t be sad. The joy that the Lord gives you will make you strong. ~ Nehemiah 8:10
Here’s a song with a message that helped us stay focused…on Him. Joy of The Lord
Thank you to all of you who served. You bless many more than you will ever know.
We are both honored and humbled by this opportunity to serve God’s people. Thank you for reading!
Thankyou Toni and Joe for all you do! I was there with the team in spirit! Sending prayers for fixed equipment and improved weather and most importantly patients for you fall to serve!
Thank you so much, Sheila! We love having you on our team when your schedule permits. And we wore our angel earrings!!! :)
Ohhhh..THANK YOU!..just shared with friends who need encouragement and to know of God’s love and power…XOXO..you and Joey..(Perfect timing on receiving blog..end of my quiet time and REJOICED with Jesus 🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🕊☝️
Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone
I’m glad you could use it to encourage others. God’s love and power is present everywhere…. Love to you
Thank you for the love you are sharing!
We are thankful that God has provided this opportunity to serve Him!
Thanks for reading, Rick.
Toni, I am so touched. I shared this to my own FB page. Love you!
Thank you, Susan! Love you, too – and we still miss our Green Chile Sisters time!!! Hope you are doing well….
Great blessings came through all the struggles of those who went to help!✨❤️✨✝️
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Toni this is so wonderful.
I so admire you, and thank God for you!
What a lovely reflection on our journey! I will share your insights at the MMI staff meeting this week,
Touching account of your mission trip!
Blessings to you and Joey…Louise
Toni, you give all glory to Him in this wonderful post! There is no question in my mind how we all “powered through” the countless challenges (as we now sit in our warm homes with sniffles, coughs and “tummies”) – our great and gracious God was the power, and to Him be the glory!! His timing and choosing were perfect in everything and every way….. I love our “6A” days together….and you..
Love reading your post and as the Psalmist proclaimed, “He will gently and powerfully restore us to our feet”. Both the patients and the team! Know you two are enjoying retirement! Thanks, Toni!