Today was the start of operations for the 2012 i-Team. Our crew of seasoned veterans and skilled greenhorns tackled the task of providing eye care in the developing world. There are unique challenges each year, and this year has been no different. Broken machines, lost luggage, missing medications, and patients enduring a burden of disease beyond expectations have come at us from every side. At times, it seems that our struggle against blindness and disease is like trying to drain the ocean one bucket at a time. It is profoundly humbling to come face to face with our own limitations on an hourly basis (or sometimes even more frequently than that). When we focus only on our abilities, it is easy to become discouraged. There were so many people today that we in our own strength had so little to offer.
It is easy to focus on the challenges, but I keep reminding myself that the God we serve is bigger than anything that stands in our way. Pray for our team, that we would allow ourselves to be conduits for God’s love, that we would “Cure sometimes, treat often, and comfort always”. Lord fill us with your strength, that we may heal with skill and compassion. Give us your vision, that we may see others around us with the same eyes that you do. And remind us to give you the glory for everything.
WA White
