2018 | December

• Medical Director Report December 2018 | “When everything felt uncertain, God provided more than enough.”

  This was a very trying mission for our team. We were scheduled to leave November 3, 2018, but our donated mission supplies were not approved by the Mexican federal authorities by that date. We decided to postpone the mission (even though it would be Christmas season) to December 8 through December 15, hoping to give us more time to get the supplies okayed. We had 200 anxiously awaiting blind patients for surgery and it was not an option that we could not or would not go.

  In changing the date, one of the three surgeons had to cancel. I struggled with several problems:

  1. What if the supplies did not get okayed… could we buy supplies once we were there?

  2. If we had only two surgeons, would we be able to perform 200 cataract surgeries? The most we had ever done with two surgeons was 150 patients. Where would I get the stamina?

  I struggled in my prayers, but of course God answered.
  He not only showed up, He showed off.

  The supplies did not get okayed, but we were able to buy the supplies.
  The stamina I had on the mission was incredible. Rather than only being able to do 17 surgeries in a day like past missions, I completed 23 without a problem and with energy to spare.

  Too often I rob God of the opportunity to answer my prayers because they are vague. Not this time.
  My prayers were very specific, they were answered, and now I give God the glory. Thank you, God.

  Peace,
  Jim Conahan, MD