Nine members of Team 2501, Tanzania Eyeglasses, arrived in country on Sunday, January 5.  Our in-country host was Next Life Foundation which provides vocational training to young people in sewing/tailoring and woodworking/furniture.

It was an experience! There were times that I felt like a conduit of God’s love in situations that could have come about only by His hand.

The 17-year-old team member who worked the eyeglass dispensing station was in second grade when he told the "Kids Club" leader, who shared her experiences from a mission trip, that he planned to go with her to Africa.  He has been on two trips to Africa - one at age 14 and this one.  He found this trip very satisfying because he was able to contribute to the mission and saw the expression on people’s faces as they got eyeglasses and as we sang with them.

My greatest joy on the trip was watching the face of each individual as we sang for/with them, gave them eyeglasses, or called them by name and gave a blessing.  When I called each community member by name and said "Mungu Akubariki" (God bless you) before they moved to the next station, I got many reactions including Amen, some blessing me, some giving thanks, some giving a handshake, some with tears, and some with nods.  Three times people said "Yesu," making a statement of the Christian faith. My teammate at the fitting station was able to take photos of many of the people we served.  A review of the face on each precious soul provides a wonderful follow up conversation with God in prayer.

During the eyeglass clinic, we distributed 354 prescription eyeglasses, around 461 sunglasses, and 3 white canes with an order for 2 more white canes to be provided after the team departed.

Please pray that the seeds that were sown with and in my teammates and the many people with whom we interacted will bear much fruit in Africa, America, and around the world.  Thank you for your partnership!


 

You are the light of the world.  A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.  (Matthew 5:14-16)