Well, we have finished our 2nd day. This is definitely one of the most "demanding" mission trips I have experienced. To help you know how to pray - and to understand what's happening - I'm going to walk you through a normal day. Just put yourself in it.
You begin the work at the site at about 7:30am. People are often already lined up waiting. The people first go to the "evangelists" where they hear the Gospel message. Then, they come down the dusty road (30 yards) to the registration where they look at an eye chart (Jeanine).
Then, depending on their vision, they go to the AutoRefractor (PJ) where we check them for distance problems, or they go to Triage (Doyle, Paul, PJ and we've added in Margaret - who has done a wonderful job here). At Triage, they first are asked about their faith, trying to determine if they truly have a relationship with Jesus. This is where many come to faith for the first time. After this faith discussion, we discuss their eye problems. Depending on what we hear, we "prescribe" a visit to one of the Doctors on site, or to go straight to reading glasses or distance glasses, or both (Sara, Kindy, Sandy and Margaret).
So, they move on to the Doctor, then to one of the glass stations. If it is Readers, they just get fitted with the one that helps them see the best. If distance glasses, they are made on-site with special lenses that best correct their vision (placing the lenses is quite a chore).
The line of people doesn't stop until at least 6:00pm, when it is dark. So, it is a constant flow of people (today almost 475) without a break. You are dealing with people all day long. Most of the time they are easy to deal with, but sometimes not. 10 hours straight without lunch, constantly dealing with people and doing our job, and reminding people about the love of Jesus! I hope you all have a chance to serve in this way!!
Today's prayer - pray for us, as the workers, to see each and every Kenyan that comes to us with an amazing amount of love. To see them and remember, "Jesus loves them so much." Not just to do our job, but to love them like Jesus does!!
Posted on
Tue, November 17, 2009
by Jonathan Goeke