A Bright New World

The past 48 hours has been spent working alongside Glenn Strauss. An opthalmologist from Texas, Glenn has spent years aboard Mery Ships and has developed a unique approach to cataract surgery in Africa. He has pioneered an approach as effective as the traditional North American approach but at a cost less than 10% of that in North America.

We operated on 4 children this week ages 4,6,6 and 10, each with very dense cataracts that have been present since early childhood. At best they could see only shadows. They knew the voice of their parents and siblings well, but had not seen a smile of approval; witnessed a spectacular sunset; experienced the vibrant colors of God's creation; or had the opportunity to learn to read. Wearing thier new "fashion" sunglasses to protect thier eyes from brilliant sunshine, it was great to play a small part as they walked down the gangway into a new future. 

The joy in the face of a parent whose child can now see.... Priceless.