The next morning we began seeing the patients. Within a couple of hours Dr. Colquhoun was doing surgeries.

The patients had been notified by one page anouncements. Many traveled days by foot. Some from surrounding countries. There are less than 10 ophthalmologists in Zambia (the size of Texas).

The entire porch was occupied by patients so eager to get help, that they had wated for days sleeping out side , on concrete, next to people they didn't know.

We unloaded the more than 700 pounds of supplies that we brought to help our friends. We were each allowed 2-50lb check in bags and one carry on. To bring as much as possible, we tried to keep our personal items to our carry-ons.

We arrived at the Zimba Eye Clinic after the sun had set.

These first two photos are of children in the eye clinic.
The camera was the perfect tool to divert the children's attention from their pain and fear.

This little girl forgot what she was crying about.















I finally got this girl to smile after I showed her an earlier photo where she looks like Mickey Mouse. The head rests looked like two big ears when she was sitting up. She more than likely didn't know who MM was, but I think she did realize that I did not want her to feel bad.



These children were ready to be photographed after Sunday Service.

A future minister, for sure.

5.

4.
3.

2.

1. I don't understand why this little girl felt she had to hide such a pretty face, when I aimed my camera her way. The resulting photos made me thankful that she did.

This 83 year old could never have made it to the clinic with out her daughter's help. For years, cataracts had limited her life style by rendering her blind.

She made it clear that her years of needing help just to shuffle around like a permanent dependent were over. She couldn't control her excitement after Dr. Colquhoun and Dr. Waterbury removed her patch, just one day following cataract surgery.

What I have learned since the trip, was that before I came into the exam room, Dr. Colquhoun had been up dancing with the excited patient. I have seen the video. I will attach it to the blog in the future. It is very cool. Stay tuned.

Ouch!!!!

Ouch!!!!

Will you share your rock with me?

These guys made me feel like I was back home with my nephews.

One by one each of the baby baboons left their mother's side and jioned in the action. I couldn't understand what they were saying, but it seemed the rock had some special value. Sometimes we put so much value in the things that really don't matter.

The people of Zambia were very peaceful, otherwise.

I will be posting more this weekend. I have been occupied by hockey, a weekend with Terri's and Jim's families, some initial African Mission presentations, oh - and the cold, ice and snow.

I have been overwhelmed by the interest that many doctors, staff members, and friends have expressed in supporting and attending a future mission. Just yesterday, I talked with my Mom's doctor after she had a minor medical proceedure. Mom's doctor just returned from a medical mission in Hondurus. The doctor had attended the mission with a couple of ophthalmologists that I call on. I had no idea the doctors had attended the same medical mission. This continues to prove that it is a "small world". I do have another internet site where one can follow and find opportunities to get involved in supporting a medical mission - www.visionoutreach.org.

Featured on this posting are some of the children in Zimba that I found happy to be photographed. Much more to come.