A group of four ophthalmologists connected with the Christian Ophthalmology Society (three from the U.S. and one from Australia), made the long journey to Eswatini to emulate Jesus in curing the blind and to support Dr. Jono Pons and his team – The current COS sponsored missionary with the Foster a Missionary program.

They worked in local clinics, seeing patients and rode by helicopter to outlying villages to screen local residents for cataracts and for subsequent surgery. They performed laser procedures and surgeries.  They also taught the local doctors, ophthalmology residents, and overseas medical students.

Two family members of the team joined this group, and their week-long task was to renovate a small home for a local quadriplegic lady.

Each night, they gathered for evening meals and fellowship, and pray for the success of the mission and to give thanks for the many blessings in our lives.

It was not all work. Play included two separate trips to local game parks, with an overnight stay in one and a chance to see many of the wild animals Africa is famous for.

Dr. Brian Joondeph, MD, one of the Ophthalmologists who participated in the trip, had these reflective words to share…

“Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” 

Jesus proclaimed these words in the title of this essay in Matthew 25:40.

That is how I feel about my professional work, including mission trips, both medical and non-medical.

As an eye surgeon, I always strive to do my best. Unfortunately, I am often unable to due to logistics related to healthcare delivery, such as insurance, step therapies, and various delays. However, at least in America, healthcare is mostly accessible and of high quality.

Elsewhere in the world, this is not the case. Obstacles related to quality, accessibility, and cost exist in many countries. My recent eye mission trip to Eswatini, Africa, reminded me of these issues.

A wonderful family and career have blessed me, things I often take for granted. At least until a wrecking ball turned my life upside down; that happened in March 2020 when my wife contracted COVID and, after a prolonged illness, passed away.

Her message to me was to do good, and I am honoring her memory by doing so. I am grateful for my many blessings, including the country I was born in, my educational and professional opportunities, and my family.

It is now my time to give back, not so much to those who share many of the same blessings, but to those poor in finances and spirit, the least among us.

A mission trip, whether performing eye surgery in Africa or building a home in Tijuana, is a way of giving to the least of us. I do it in gratitude for God’s many blessings in my life and to follow Jesus’ words.