Tuesday on Utila

We have had a morning of blessings and sorrows.  We had one man who came through our autorefractor station to see if we could find a pair of prescription glasses for him.  He is a carpenter and had an accident with a nail that hit one of his eyes about 8 years ago. He had very little vision in that eye. We tried to find him a pair of any kind that might work for him.  After numerous tries, there was nothing we could do.  We hated to tell him we couldn’t help him but we had no other choice. He went on his way and was very happy that we tried.  We were not so happy.  In fact, there were a few tears.  It is rare that we can’t help a patient at all. Many times the glasses might not be perfect but if they can see at least a little better, that is a blessing to all. Later we had another older man who came in with the same vision problems. We went through the same process and we couldn’t find anything for him either but he left with a smile on his face and said that we are a blessing. Both still received sunglasses, the plan of salvation card and a Bible as well as going through the evangelism station so at least we could do something special for them.

There were a number of other people who came through that we were able to help. There was one patient yesterday and another one today who had 20/200 vision and we got them to 20/20!  One woman came through who is a Christian but she doesn’t have a Bible because she can’t see to read one. We got her to 20/20 and gave her a Bible.  She was so happy to be able to read and get the Word of God to take home with her.

Bucket said he had a really big blessing today. One lady came through our clinic with her 8 year old daughter. She recognized Bucket immediately and told him that she came through our clinic the last time we were here in 2010. She said that her daughter was only 3 then and someone told them that Bucket was having a lot of pain in his knee. They asked for Bucket to come to the evangelism station. The mom said that her daughter would pray for Bucket’s knee. She proceeded to lay hands on Bucket’s knee and pray for him – a 3 year old! Bucket said his knee did get better and he was able to finish the mission trip with very little pain!  He was very excited to get to reunite with the mom and the little girl today. He said that was his biggest blessing today so far.

I asked Marie in the evangelism station about any stories she might have for today. She said one young man came through and listened to what they had to share but he said he wasn't going to pray the prayer to get saved. He told them they could pray it for him. Marie told him that this is a decision and prayer between him and God alone. No one could prayer the prayer of salvation for him. We would like to ask for prayer for this young man. He is involved in some things that are a negative influence in his life and may cause him to stay firmly against this decision. He definitely needs our prayers. He has the prayer of salvation card with him. Let's just pray that he will read it and decide to make this decision on his own.

Our count for today:

Total patients: 79 (this is a lot for us in one day!)

Total glasses dispensed: 37

Total saved: 8

I have one correction to make to yesterday’s total count for those who are saved: 7 – yeah – ONE MORE FOR JESUS!!

Total prayer warrior/rope holders:  way too many to count!!!  Thank you all!!