Hard to believe that the trip we had been planning for our "inaugural" eyeglass trip has come and gone. And what a team we had. We really were able to step up to the plate and hit a home run for God. Some of our numbers for the mission trip were as follows:
--Saw a total of 814 people over the 4 clinic days.
--Dispensed 603 total pairs of glasses.
--293 pairs were the "Harry Potter" style round glasses and 310 were readers.
--On our short work day, we went to 2 tent style camps that had been set up after Tropical Depression Agatha hit the area, and we distributed bags of food to over 150 families. The bags contained rice, beans, sugar, flour, cereal, tuna, sardines, t.p., powdered milk, and many other items. Families with small babies received jars of baby food and extra powdered milk.
--Trinity Roselle donated an amazingly generous $5,000+ to be used for food, shoes, and any other necessities that we saw.
--We paid for new school uniforms for the 18 students at the Lutheran School whose families had lost everything. People cried when Pastor Jasinto announced this at a parent meeting.
I was too busy on this trip to take pictures, but as soon as I get pictures from some of my team-
mates, I will post a few. We are already beginning to work on stuff for the upcoming November trip. That will be a combined group of VBS and Eyeglass.
The blog ticker shows only 111 more days 'til the next trip!
Sunday, July 18, 2010
GREETINGS FROM THE EYEGLASS TEAM 6/22/2010
As has become our tradition, at least once during our mission trips we send a greeting where each team member tells a little bit about what he or she has been experiencing. Following is the message we sent from the first eyeglass team.
Weather is warm and very humid, but we are taking care of each other and surviving the heat. We are definitely drinking tons of water! Tomorrow we will pack up food bags for a food distribution at a local shelter for those who lost their homes recently. Here is a little bit of information from all the team members.
MIKE HOMMOWUN - Group has been fantastic and saw over 250 people today. I have been twice blessed with the beautiful effort and cooperation from all.
BRIAN PESCH - This has been an extraordinary experience with a great mission team. I am very thankful to be a part of this and look forward to serving more people the rest of the week.
PASTOR MUELLER - I became fluent in four phrases of Spanish today and know four directions - up, down, right, left, and guess-it's important. I had lots of fun with the old ladies trying to get them to read the chart!
JIM ENGEL - I enjoy the bus rides with the team, the children, and the old men who are exceptionally friendly and respectful. Kids are easily pleased and enjoy simple pleasures like bubbles and ice from the cooler. Great!!
NANCY BLASE - Enjoyed translating all day yesterday for the eye doctor and distributed glasses and helped a little in the eye chart room today. I enjoy distributing glasses and get such a kick out of the people's faces when they put their glasses on! I love seeing how our relationship has grown with the congregation here.
CHRISTINE ALLEN - Today I spent the day translating for the doctor. I am so impressed and touched by the Guatemalan generosity and genuine kindness. Yesterday I fit our patients with glasses and saw a number of people finally see!!
SHANNON STEEN - Spent both days learning how to best interact with all ages of the people to get them the best glasses possible. Greatly enjoying all on the team.
ELLEN EGERTON - God is good in Guatemala! The Guatemalans are kind and love to laugh. The sun is strong and the glasses are icing on the cake for the people of this beautiful country.
NANCY EGERTON - I am so impressed by the beauty of this country and its people. We have tackled this effort with humor and a positive attitude. Make sure to ask us about the diving board debacle when we return!
CHRIS-BITSY ENGEL - In the past few days I've gotten more attention from the missionaries than all the patients combined. The resort was nice until I destroyed the high dive and started getting bitten by the various flies here. I remembered a phrase IF YOU CAN'T BEAT 'EM, THEN EAT 'EM, and so I did! Helping is fun and I enjoy doing it.
KRISTEN LANGNER - I hate to admit this and know certain people will never let me live this down -- I have thoroughly enjoyed myself and feel privileged to help! God is good ALL the time.
DIANA REESE - Having an interesting time! I know I'm short enough to be an elf, and today I felt like one as I worked on making glasses. It was incredibly rewarding to see the joy and excitement when the people got their glasses and could see like never before. Praise God!
Please pray for us as we continue our work throughout the rest of the week and this coming weekend as we travel back to Guatemala City and then back to the States.
The Team
Weather is warm and very humid, but we are taking care of each other and surviving the heat. We are definitely drinking tons of water! Tomorrow we will pack up food bags for a food distribution at a local shelter for those who lost their homes recently. Here is a little bit of information from all the team members.
MIKE HOMMOWUN - Group has been fantastic and saw over 250 people today. I have been twice blessed with the beautiful effort and cooperation from all.
BRIAN PESCH - This has been an extraordinary experience with a great mission team. I am very thankful to be a part of this and look forward to serving more people the rest of the week.
PASTOR MUELLER - I became fluent in four phrases of Spanish today and know four directions - up, down, right, left, and guess-it's important. I had lots of fun with the old ladies trying to get them to read the chart!
JIM ENGEL - I enjoy the bus rides with the team, the children, and the old men who are exceptionally friendly and respectful. Kids are easily pleased and enjoy simple pleasures like bubbles and ice from the cooler. Great!!
NANCY BLASE - Enjoyed translating all day yesterday for the eye doctor and distributed glasses and helped a little in the eye chart room today. I enjoy distributing glasses and get such a kick out of the people's faces when they put their glasses on! I love seeing how our relationship has grown with the congregation here.
CHRISTINE ALLEN - Today I spent the day translating for the doctor. I am so impressed and touched by the Guatemalan generosity and genuine kindness. Yesterday I fit our patients with glasses and saw a number of people finally see!!
SHANNON STEEN - Spent both days learning how to best interact with all ages of the people to get them the best glasses possible. Greatly enjoying all on the team.
ELLEN EGERTON - God is good in Guatemala! The Guatemalans are kind and love to laugh. The sun is strong and the glasses are icing on the cake for the people of this beautiful country.
NANCY EGERTON - I am so impressed by the beauty of this country and its people. We have tackled this effort with humor and a positive attitude. Make sure to ask us about the diving board debacle when we return!
CHRIS-BITSY ENGEL - In the past few days I've gotten more attention from the missionaries than all the patients combined. The resort was nice until I destroyed the high dive and started getting bitten by the various flies here. I remembered a phrase IF YOU CAN'T BEAT 'EM, THEN EAT 'EM, and so I did! Helping is fun and I enjoy doing it.
KRISTEN LANGNER - I hate to admit this and know certain people will never let me live this down -- I have thoroughly enjoyed myself and feel privileged to help! God is good ALL the time.
DIANA REESE - Having an interesting time! I know I'm short enough to be an elf, and today I felt like one as I worked on making glasses. It was incredibly rewarding to see the joy and excitement when the people got their glasses and could see like never before. Praise God!
Please pray for us as we continue our work throughout the rest of the week and this coming weekend as we travel back to Guatemala City and then back to the States.
The Team
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