April 21: Providence Presbytery

New Vision in Honduras:
Establishing a Clinic for Cataract Surgery

April 21, 2016

“ . . . his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.”
(Mark 8:25)

Since 1985 mission teams from Providence Presbytery have traveled to Honduras. The people that we have worked with are among the poorest in one of the poorest countries in the western hemisphere. Dr. William C. Oliver, an optometrist in Rock Hill, South Carolina, realized the great need for cataract surgery and arranged for an ophthalmologist to join him on a trip. The joy on the faces of the individuals who received the gift of restored sight was powerful to those who witnessed their smiles and the hugs that they gave the doctors.

Since that clinic, Dr. Oliver has dreamed of setting up a semi-permanent, free clinic where visiting ophthalmologists can perform cataract surgery several times a year. Working with Barbara Kurz, presbytery mission consultant; Tim Wheeler, PC(USA) mission co-worker; and Jesus Orlando Jiminez, mayor of the municipality of Trinidad, Dr. Oliver intends to make the clinic a reality. The mayor is enthusiastic and supportive of the project. He is working on local arrangements and with other mission teams to add two rooms to the municipal clinic in Trinidad.

The opportunity to support this project has been extended to churches, businesses and individuals. We have been blessed to receive advice, financial gifts and glasses. Dr. Oliver is working with several ophthalmologists and foundations to acquire the surgical equipment. It is our hope that by the end of 2016, our dream of the New Vision in Honduras eye clinic will help those in need see clearly.

Barbara Kurz, Interim Mission Consultant, Providence Presbytery

Let us join in prayer for:

Presbytery Staff:

Rev. T. Mark Verdery, General Presbyter/Stated Clerk
Dorothy J. Killian, Associate Presbyter for Congregational Development and Mission
Ann White, Interim Associate Presbyter for Education and Resourcing
Barbara Kurz, Interim Mission Consultant, Providence Presbytery
Jill Wilson, Communications Coordinator

PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff

Carla Miller, PMA
Martha Miller, OGA
Eliza Minasyan, PMA

Let us pray

Gracious God, open our eyes that we may see the needs of those around us; open our hearts to be agents of change in your name. We ask especially for your blessing on your children in Honduras and on those who seek to walk with them. Amen.