Time is running short!

Sorry I have not posted in over a week.

As the summer is coming to an end, sadly so are our projects.  We have started to wrap up and finish the projects we have been working on.

This past week I have been in Mbale for an eye campaign, which we partnered with Sight Savers for.  It has been a great success.  329 Reading glasses were donated to us by The John Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, USA and we were able to pass out every single pair.  The campaign went from Monday until Friday, 9AM-6PM each day.  My jobs were to record names and give the correct power of lens to the patient.  Their smiles as they received their glasses made my day.  We have a great collection of quotes from a couple of the people.  They are so sweet and grateful to receive reading glasses.  It was amazing to see.

We had around 2,000 patients overall seen throughout the week and close to 200 eye surgeries – the most of them being cataract surgeries.

By the end of the week, we had to turn away a couple of patients because the power of lens they were prescribed had run out a couple days earlier.  Thursday and Friday we were left with only +2.00 - +2.75.  It was sad turning them away.  That was the worst part – seeing their faces drop when they found out we did not have that power for them.  It was heart wrenching.

We were also featured for the Uganda morning news, being a partner with the Mbale Hospital. :) We wish we could've seen it...but it's hard to watch the news without a tv.

There was a lady, who while trying on the glasses to see if she could read, was given a bible to read.  She started reading and tears started to fill her eyes!  She told us she hadn’t been able to read for about 7 years now.  It was very neat to see.

Another favorite of mine was an English lady who has lived in Uganda for 22 years now.  She didn’t even know about the eye camp; she just saw a bunch of people down at the eye department and came to check it out.  As we handed her her glasses, she asked us, “Nothing to pay?” It was the best moment ever.  I told her they would only cost a smile and a picture.  She was so sweet.  She then said as she was leaving, “God bless you.  He must have brought me here today.”
These people have gone years without being able to see.  Whether it is from cataracts, presbyopia, or whatever may be wrong.  It has been amazing to see their gratitude.  It is like instant rewards.  Their smiles are definitely genuine.  I could ask for no greater a reward.

Julia, we wish you could've been here for this.  It was so amazing, and I'm sure you would've loved it.  I took lots of pictures for you.  I will post them later because of the short time I have right now.

Because I had to suddenly leave on Sunday to come to Mbale, I was not able to do the presentations for Joel, Sam, and Noel this past week like I had planned. But I will be returning to Lugazi tomorrow and I plan to do the presentations then.  I will update you on how they go. :)

Once I do the presentations, I will be wrapping up that project as well.

I cannot believe that 3 months have passed already.  I don’t have much time left.  I wish I could have all the time in the world to stay here and help these people.  There is so much that can be done.

Uganda will always have a special place in my heart.  The friends who I have made will always be dear friends.  I will never forget them.  I love them so much.  They have nothing, yet have so much.  It has been a very humbling and great experience.  I will miss this wonderful and beautiful place so much and I hope I will be able to return one day.

Thank you to all the amazing people of Africa that I have met.  This experience wouldn’t be great without your love and kindness.

Quote of the day! :)

"Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of overcoming of it." - Helen Keller