First Day of Clinic

The team started the day meeting in Pastor Daniel's home and enjoying a delicious breakfast, prepared by Elizabeth and some of the ladies of the congregation. They take such good care of our team whenever we are there. I'm pretty sure one of the first Punjabi words everyone learns is "bus!" It means "enough!" Like, I've had enough to eat, don't give me any more! Sometimes, it works, and sometimes Elizabeth gets a mischievous smile and scoops more onto your plate anyway. In any case, the food is wonderful!

With full bellies and full hearts, the team headed upstairs to church to start the first day of the eyeglass clinic. Each team member took their place and they started receiving community members. Each person had a quick eye exam to look for communicable diseases and then moved to the next station to have their prescription tested.

The next station is the witness station, where each person hears that Jesus loves him/her in their own language by a congregation member, often Elizabeth or Sunita. 

While this is happening, Sandy is busy pulling the correct prescriptions and trying to match frames to the people's faces.

After hearing the Gospel, they move to the table that fine-tunes their prescription and they receive their new glasses ... two pairs if they need readers. And new this year, they're also receiving sunglasses.

The last station provides adjustment to make sure their glasses fit just right!

On the first day of clinic, the team saw 187 people, handing out 265 pairs of glasses, plus sunglasses to most.

A late night scooter ride is always exciting on the streets of India!

What a day! To God be the glory!

A Day of Worship and Clinic Setup

The team joined with our Christian brothers and sisters at Everlasting Life Ministry in Dasuya for the monthly worship celebration with Holy Communion. There is something amazing about worshiping alongside our Savior next to fellow believers, in different languages, but the same heart. 

 

 

After worship, they shared a meal with the congregation ... which was cooked on the roof of the church.

In the afternoon, and all evening, the team set up the clinic and then spent some time training and practicing for their jobs.

 

 

 

 

Brian wanted to make sure the team got extra practice, so he kindly left his reading glasses on the plane. 

After a long day, the team is ready, willing, and able to begin the eyeglass clinic. (In fact, by the time this blog is being published, they've already slept and are ready to begin the clinic) 

Please pray for this team, for the members of Everlasting Life that are serving alongside them, and for all of the community members that are coming to the clinic. As they receive the gift of sight via eyeglasses, may they also receive the gift of spiritual sight as they hear the Gospel message in their native language.

Pictures from the Road

We thought it would be fun to share some photos from the bumpy bus ride. 

 

 

Look closely ... how many people do you see?

 

Popcorn! Get your popcorn!

There are many many roadside shops

It's sugar cane season

This looks like a fun roadside shop

Safely in Dasuya

The team has arrived safely in Dasuya after 50 hours of travel (more for Brad), with two straight nights not in a bed! They spent a short time at their hotel, checking and getting a little freshened up. I heard the shower was welcomed, even if it was out of a bucket!

As it is evening there, they are meeting with pastors that have come in for the monthly pastors meeting and then will have a late dinner in Pastor Daniel's home.

Happy Valentine's Day and blessings from your India Mission Team! Tomorrow is the monthly worship celebration and the team is looking forward to that immensely.

On Indian Soil

The team has landed in India and are on their way North to Dasuya. 

How many bags do you think they have? Some are hidden!!

They met up with Pastor Daniel and Wittness and loaded up in their bus.

They have been traveling for about 31 hours so far (except for Brad who has been traveling at least 8 hours longer), including 2 flights and a rather long layover. They are now on a charter bus for approximately a 12 hour ride up to Dasuya. It's a grueling travel schedule. According to the team, the trip has been figuratively smooth so far. The bus ride, however, is quite bumpy. Ray commented that "It's been smooth ... except the bus. Not smooth. I may have to have the fillings in my teeth tightened when I get home."

Please pray for continued safety as they journey to their mission field and for God to prepare the hearts of the people that will come to the clinic.

Team is En Route

Our team is on their way to India. We appreciate your prayers for safe travel over the next couple of days as they journey to Dasuya, India.

The team met at church around noon to pack up, pray up, and load up to head to the airport where they met up with Brad (who has already taken two flights to get to Detroit).

After checking all their bags and clearing security, they sat down for a bite to eat and spend some time getting to know each other and going over more details for the next couple weeks.

Their flight leaves shortly and we're hoping to hear when they land in Frankfurt for a long layover. 

Blessings on your journey, team! We're praying for you!

2023 Mission Team Preparing to Serve

We are so excited to be sending another team over to India after a long break, for obvious reasons. This team has been planning, praying, packing, and is prepared to go! Their mission will include an eyeglass clinic, in partnership with MOST Ministries. The local Indian people of Dasuya are eagerly awaiting the return of the "Eye Camp". Everlasting Life Ministries is hosting the Eye Camp and their members are ready to help with the clinic and share God's love with the people coming in for eyeglasses (and to see the Americans).

Here are the 9 members of St. Matthew that will be your 2023 India Mission Team.

Rounding out the team is Brad Bomhoff from Lutheran Church of Our Savior, near Oklahoma City.

The team departs on Sunday, connects with Brad after his first flight, and heads to India. You can follow along on their adventures by reading this blog.

This past Sunday (and Monday), our team was commissioned and "sent" during each of our worship services. 

Feeling excited and humbled by the support of the church, they set to packing the eyeglasses and supplies for the clinic. Each team member takes one suitcase for their own clothes and necessities and a second suitcase filled with everything they need to run the clinic.

As they complete their final preparations and start this journey, we appreciate your prayers for their health, safety, and for God to be in every detail. May God prepare and soften the hearts of all of those that enter the doors of the eyeglass clinic.