Our Team Team members flew out of  Milwaukee’s General Mitchell Field on Friday, November 2. Team leaders from Iowa and Michigan, plus 2 more team members, met up with us at Newark where we connected to our flight to Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. From there we rode in vans to our sleeping accommodations in Mayaguez, arriving at 3 a.m.!
	Our Team Leaders Because we had such a large group, MOST Ministries split us into 2 teams. Our leaders were Eileen and Steve, shown here with missionary Mike Tanney from our host church, Prince of Peace in Mayaguez.
Sharing God’s Love as Well as Glasses Each person was tested for far and near vision. If a person needed correction for each, they were give 2 pair of glasses. Before glasses were given out, however, each person spent time at the witness station, where members of our host church gave each adult a witness bracelet and explained its meaning; children were given finger puppets with the same message.
	Spanish Bible Brings Smiles A Puerto Rican woman cherishes a Spanish Bible given to her at the eyeglass clinic. Unable to read with her limited vision, the Lord provided just the right prescription through the donated eyeglasses. She was eager to read Psalm 23, and because of the language barrier, did not understand when team members attempted to find it for her. She clutched the Bible tightly because she thought it was being taken from her!
Delighted with His New Glasses! This boy lost his right eye in an accident, and has limited vision in his left eye. You can see his delight at being able to read with his new glasses! Later that day, his whole family came to the clinic. They received eyeglasses, as well as witness materials during a personal visit with church members.
	A Cutie with Sunglasses Sunglasses were given to children and adults, to help prevent damage to their eyesight. A condition called ‘pterygium’ is caused from the intense sunlight, wind and dust in Puerto Rico. Left untreated, it can cause blindness.
The Whole Team Pictured is the whole mission team on the steps of the place where we were housed. It was hot and  humid each day (one day the temperature was 96 degrees), with occasional rain. It was quite a shock to come back to Wisconsin where the weather was in the 40s!

Click here for a downloadable version to print and share!

Our Team Team members flew out of  Milwaukee’s General Mitchell Field on Friday, November 2. Team leaders from Iowa and Michigan, plus 2 more team members, met up with us at Newark where we connected to our flight to Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. From there we rode in vans to our sleeping accommodations in Mayaguez, arriving at 3 a.m.!
	Our Team Leaders Because we had such a large group, MOST Ministries split us into 2 teams. Our leaders were Eileen and Steve, shown here with missionary Mike Tanney from our host church, Prince of Peace in Mayaguez.
Sharing God’s Love as Well as Glasses Each person was tested for far and near vision. If a person needed correction for each, they were give 2 pair of glasses. Before glasses were given out, however, each person spent time at the witness station, where members of our host church gave each adult a witness bracelet and explained its meaning; children were given finger puppets with the same message.
	Spanish Bible Brings Smiles A Puerto Rican woman cherishes a Spanish Bible given to her at the eyeglass clinic. Unable to read with her limited vision, the Lord provided just the right prescription through the donated eyeglasses. She was eager to read Psalm 23, and because of the language barrier, did not understand when team members attempted to find it for her. She clutched the Bible tightly because she thought it was being taken from her!
Delighted with His New Glasses! This boy lost his right eye in an accident, and has limited vision in his left eye. You can see his delight at being able to read with his new glasses! Later that day, his whole family came to the clinic. They received eyeglasses, as well as witness materials during a personal visit with church members.
	A Cutie with Sunglasses Sunglasses were given to children and adults, to help prevent damage to their eyesight. A condition called ‘pterygium’ is caused from the intense sunlight, wind and dust in Puerto Rico. Left untreated, it can cause blindness.
The Whole Team Pictured is the whole mission team on the steps of the place where we were housed. It was hot and  humid each day (one day the temperature was 96 degrees), with occasional rain. It was quite a shock to come back to Wisconsin where the weather was in the 40s!

Click here for a downloadable version to print and share!

Eyeglass Clinics Completed; 1891 Pairs of Glasses Distributed!

All 24 members of the two SWD LWML Eyeglass Mission Teams are well and happy after 4-1/2 days of clinics in Puerto Rico during which they distributed 1,891 pairs of glasses and shared the love of Christ with 1,541 people. Because MOST Ministries does not bring bifocals on such trips, some people need both distance and reading glasses.

In addition, the teams gave away hundreds and hundreds of sunglasses to adults and children. As the teams arrived at the two clinic locations each day, they began with prayer in a circle and then opened the door to a long, long line of people waiting. They also closed each day with prayer. Some Puerto Ricans asked the Leaguers, "Why are you here?' They always replied, "To share the love of Jesus!" They felt blessed to be able to witness to so many people

Although team members are joyful about their experience, they are tired due to the heat (96o in the daytime and 85o at night). Friday will be a time for rest and relaxation; a few have chosen to visit San Juan for the day. Then they'll fly home to Wisconsin - and they'll be available to speak to groups about the trip.

All team members are returning with dozens of unforgettable experiences. One of the men in the group described this as "an awesome life-changing experience." The memories include:

1) A 92-year-old woman with eyes so bad that she could barely see. After her glasses were fitted and she discovered she could read again, her face just glowed! Then a team member gave her a small Spanish Bible. Immediately the elderly woman wanted to read the 23rd Psalm. The team member offered to help the woman find it, but she refused to give up the Bible until the interpretor made it clear that it would be given back to her. The team member will never forget the woman's joy as she then began to read that favorite passage after being unable to read fine print for so long.

2) A boy who had an accident at school and therefore had no sight in one eye. He just beamed when he received glasses that enabled him to see well with his good eye.

3) A nine-year-old who was translating for her grandmother was wearing a bracelet with a cross on it. When the team member asked the child if she believed in Jesus, the child replied, "Yes, I believe in God, and He's my real father." The team member responded, "He's my father too, so what does that make us?" The child answered, "Sisters!" and they enjoyed a warm hug.

Eyeglass Clinics Completed; 1891 Pairs of Glasses Distributed!

All 24 members of the two SWD LWML Eyeglass Mission Teams are well and happy after 4-1/2 days of clinics in Puerto Rico during which they distributed 1,891 pairs of glasses and shared the love of Christ with 1,541 people. Because MOST Ministries does not bring bifocals on such trips, some people need both distance and reading glasses.

In addition, the teams gave away hundreds and hundreds of sunglasses to adults and children. As the teams arrived at the two clinic locations each day, they began with prayer in a circle and then opened the door to a long, long line of people waiting. They also closed each day with prayer. Some Puerto Ricans asked the Leaguers, "Why are you here?' They always replied, "To share the love of Jesus!" They felt blessed to be able to witness to so many people

Although team members are joyful about their experience, they are tired due to the heat (96o in the daytime and 85o at night). Friday will be a time for rest and relaxation; a few have chosen to visit San Juan for the day. Then they'll fly home to Wisconsin - and they'll be available to speak to groups about the trip.

All team members are returning with dozens of unforgettable experiences. One of the men in the group described this as "an awesome life-changing experience." The memories include:

1) A 92-year-old woman with eyes so bad that she could barely see. After her glasses were fitted and she discovered she could read again, her face just glowed! Then a team member gave her a small Spanish Bible. Immediately the elderly woman wanted to read the 23rd Psalm. The team member offered to help the woman find it, but she refused to give up the Bible until the interpretor made it clear that it would be given back to her. The team member will never forget the woman's joy as she then began to read that favorite passage after being unable to read fine print for so long.

2) A boy who had an accident at school and therefore had no sight in one eye. He just beamed when he received glasses that enabled him to see well with his good eye.

3) A nine-year-old who was translating for her grandmother was wearing a bracelet with a cross on it. When the team member asked the child if she believed in Jesus, the child replied, "Yes, I believe in God, and He's my real father." The team member responded, "He's my father too, so what does that make us?" The child answered, "Sisters!" and they enjoyed a warm hug.

Teams Sing at Service; Clinics begin Monday

In a phone call from Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, Sunday evening (Nov. 3), LWML District President Carolyn Blum reported that all is going well. (Her cell phone works there!)

The teams worshipped in a bilingual service this morning at Prince of Peace, the sponsoring congregation. Hymns were sung, verse by verse in Spanish and then in English. DCE Michael Tanney, the missionary in charge of the congregation, preached on 1 John 3:1-3. At the close of the service, the teams sang, "Jesus, Send Us on Your Mission." This hymn was written especially for the 2007 national LWML convention by Pastor Dean Nadasdy.

The church has a nice building. The basement (intended for a parochial school that so far has not materialized) houses a government-funded Head Start program. The teachers are excited to be in this fine location. The rent from the program is paying off the building loan. The church will do chapel services for the school and Christian parenting programs for the families.

Monday, Nov. 4, the Eyeglass Clinics begin. One team will be on duty from 8 a.m. to about 4 p.m. The other will serve in a different location from 2 p.m. through 8 p.m. Members of the local congregation will also be on hand to help witness and welcome those who come for eyeglasses, making this venture a true partnership of reaching out with God's love.

Because the teams must supply most of their own meals, they went to Sam's Club to get some groceries. The store was as crowded as department stores are in Wisconsin at Christmas. Lines were very long, so they did not purchase ice cream or ice cubes, fearing the items would melt before they got out of the store. They would have liked some though because it's very hot in Puerto Rico right now. Continue to keep them in your prayers.

Teams Sing at Service; Clinics begin Monday

In a phone call from Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, Sunday evening (Nov. 3), LWML District President Carolyn Blum reported that all is going well. (Her cell phone works there!)

The teams worshipped in a bilingual service this morning at Prince of Peace, the sponsoring congregation. Hymns were sung, verse by verse in Spanish and then in English. DCE Michael Tanney, the missionary in charge of the congregation, preached on 1 John 3:1-3. At the close of the service, the teams sang, "Jesus, Send Us on Your Mission." This hymn was written especially for the 2007 national LWML convention by Pastor Dean Nadasdy.

The church has a nice building. The basement (intended for a parochial school that so far has not materialized) houses a government-funded Head Start program. The teachers are excited to be in this fine location. The rent from the program is paying off the building loan. The church will do chapel services for the school and Christian parenting programs for the families.

Monday, Nov. 4, the Eyeglass Clinics begin. One team will be on duty from 8 a.m. to about 4 p.m. The other will serve in a different location from 2 p.m. through 8 p.m. Members of the local congregation will also be on hand to help witness and welcome those who come for eyeglasses, making this venture a true partnership of reaching out with God's love.

Because the teams must supply most of their own meals, they went to Sam's Club to get some groceries. The store was as crowded as department stores are in Wisconsin at Christmas. Lines were very long, so they did not purchase ice cream or ice cubes, fearing the items would melt before they got out of the store. They would have liked some though because it's very hot in Puerto Rico right now. Continue to keep them in your prayers.

Teams Arrive in Puerto Rico, Safely but a Bit Late

We started the Eyeglass clinics today after getting into our sleeping accommodations last night at 3 a.m. The plane was two hours late and the van reservations didn't turn out as they expected.

We handed out many glasses today, including children's sun glasses. And, we witnessed about Jesus!

It's very hot here, but we had no effects from the hurricane. Praise God!

Everyone is well and sends their greetings - and many, many thanks for the prayers and for sending so many eyeglasses....we have 4,600 pair with us here!

God's blessings to all,

Carolyn Blum (on behalf of the Eyeglass teams) 

Teams Arrive in Puerto Rico, Safely but a Bit Late

We started the Eyeglass clinics today after getting into our sleeping accommodations last night at 3 a.m. The plane was two hours late and the van reservations didn't turn out as they expected.

We handed out many glasses today, including children's sun glasses. And, we witnessed about Jesus!

It's very hot here, but we had no effects from the hurricane. Praise God!

Everyone is well and sends their greetings - and many, many thanks for the prayers and for sending so many eyeglasses....we have 4,600 pair with us here!

God's blessings to all,

Carolyn Blum (on behalf of the Eyeglass teams) 

Puerto Rico Mission Trip "Goers" Receive Training

An orientation meeting for the 28 people (the "Goers") traveling to Puerto Rico with the South Wisconsin District LWML's MOST Ministries team was held at Living Word Lutheran Church in Jackson on Saturday, August 18. They will be conducting an eyeglass clinic in conjunction with the local LCMS church in Mayaguez from November 2 - 10, 2007.

Eileen Westrum, team leader from Boone, Iowa conducted an orientation session and showed team members how to test the vision of individuals. They practiced on each other, as you can see from the pictures below of the training. They also learned how to heat eyeglass frames in hot salt so they can be molded to fit each person's face.

Everyone left the meeting with a new fire for missions in their hearts!

Team members come from Beloit, Milwaukee, Hartford, Sheboygan, New Holstein, Kiel, Sun Prairie, Horicon, Waukesha, Beaver Dam, Neenah, Plymouth, Glendale, Ripon, Rock Springs and Greendale.

Equally important as the Goers are the 4,000 "Senders" in our district LWML who will be praying for the Goers, and perhaps offering other forms of support. Click here to download a flyer to share with your LWML sisters in your societies so they, too, can be part of the team!

August 18th Orientation

Janet Hessler (Horicon) practices heating eyeglass frames in hot salt, which softens them so they can be molded to fit the person receiving the glasses.	MOST Ministries team leader Eileen Westrum (Boone, Iowa) demonstrates how to test distance vision using Betty Ainger (Beloit) as a model.  Joyce Kasten (Waukesha) looks on.	Dan Kenevan (Beaver Dam)has his reading vision tested by Lisa Knabe (Neenah) as Maren Seymour (Greendale), Mary and Henry Schwenkhoff (Rock Springs) and Beverly Daun (New Holstein) observe.

Puerto Rico Mission Trip "Goers" Receive Training

An orientation meeting for the 28 people (the "Goers") traveling to Puerto Rico with the South Wisconsin District LWML's MOST Ministries team was held at Living Word Lutheran Church in Jackson on Saturday, August 18. They will be conducting an eyeglass clinic in conjunction with the local LCMS church in Mayaguez from November 2 - 10, 2007.

Eileen Westrum, team leader from Boone, Iowa conducted an orientation session and showed team members how to test the vision of individuals. They practiced on each other, as you can see from the pictures below of the training. They also learned how to heat eyeglass frames in hot salt so they can be molded to fit each person's face.

Everyone left the meeting with a new fire for missions in their hearts!

Team members come from Beloit, Milwaukee, Hartford, Sheboygan, New Holstein, Kiel, Sun Prairie, Horicon, Waukesha, Beaver Dam, Neenah, Plymouth, Glendale, Ripon, Rock Springs and Greendale.

Equally important as the Goers are the 4,000 "Senders" in our district LWML who will be praying for the Goers, and perhaps offering other forms of support. Click here to download a flyer to share with your LWML sisters in your societies so they, too, can be part of the team!

August 18th Orientation

Janet Hessler (Horicon) practices heating eyeglass frames in hot salt, which softens them so they can be molded to fit the person receiving the glasses.	MOST Ministries team leader Eileen Westrum (Boone, Iowa) demonstrates how to test distance vision using Betty Ainger (Beloit) as a model.  Joyce Kasten (Waukesha) looks on.	Dan Kenevan (Beaver Dam)has his reading vision tested by Lisa Knabe (Neenah) as Maren Seymour (Greendale), Mary and Henry Schwenkhoff (Rock Springs) and Beverly Daun (New Holstein) observe.