Story Time

The team is currently on their first flight back to our side of the world. Yesterday, they visited the Taj Mahal, but you'll have to wait to see those pictures because they didn't have wifi to share them with me. It was very foggy in the morning, so they were afraid they wouldn't get to see it ... but it cleared up! So, maybe we'll get you some pictures after they get home.

In the meantime, I thought we could share a couple stories about some of the translators/volunteers at the eyeglass clinic.

This is Madhu. She worked translating, but also learned the skills to help fix and fit the glasses at the last station. 

For the last few months, Madhu has wanted a guitar and her family couldn't afford to buy one for her. You might not know this, but part of the cost of going on a MOST Ministries trip is used for giving a small monetary appreciation gift to the translators. They put in several days of long hours and hard work and the clinic absolutely could not be done without them. On the last day of clinic, when she received her envelope with the gift, she was so happy because she can finally buy herself a guitar. She's looking forward to learning how to play it. In the last few days, they've already found her a guitar teacher in Dasuya and she plans to play in church to help lead worship.

This is Sunny. Sunny was a translator for Brad, but told them he would only be able to work the first day. 

The partnership with Brad was unique because both were first-timers for the clinic. I was told that on the very first day, they were such a great team that he ended up working all four days. He said he learned a lot through the clinic and his great bond with Brad gave him confidence to speak in English.

The last story is actually very sad, but really shows the Christian love of the church family at Everlasting Life Ministry. It starts with a man named Rajan. Rajan served at every eyeglass clinic we have done at Everlasting Life Ministry. He and his family have been so instrumental in, not only the eyeglass clinic, but in caring for the American teams and also in the congregational life of the church.

Sadly, Rajan lost his life in a tragic work accident a week before our team arrived for the eyeglass clinic. Rajan leaves behind is wife, Reeta, and four children. You might expect that his family would take this clinic off and take time to grieve. But they showed up every single day. Reeta helped with the food for the team. His oldest daughter, Priyanka, who has been translating for the last several trips, continued to work every day, translating and working with Melinda at the station where people get their prescription fine-tuned. Having worked with her on my last trip, I know she is an incredible help and amazing at explaining things to the people coming in. The second daughter, Rikita, also helped during the clinic, translating at the last station and helping make sure people received glasses that fit them and were clean, with a case to go with them. She was a great help for Brian. Grace and Joel are just so sweet and always endearing to the Americans.

Rikita, Grace, Melinda, Joel, Priyanka

Rikita, Joel, Reeta, Kathy, Priyanka

We know this family is in great pain, but they continued to serve at the eyeglass clinic, knowing that what they are doing could make an everlasting difference for someone. Please pray for Reeta, Priyanka, Rikita, Grace, and Joel as they mourn. Pray that God would provide the financial means they need for their daily life.

We thank God for all of the volunteers and translators that made the eyeglass clinic possible. We pray that He keeps them strong in their faith and service to Him.