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Entries for November 2007
Reflections of National LWML President, Jan Wendorf, on the 2007 SWD Fall Retreat.
Check the Photo Gallery for pictures from the Fall Retreat! (Click on "Complete Article ..." or "Read More..." below.)
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 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)
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