Week of Febuary 17  "Offering help to those with difficulty to see."

Vision is one of the major areas of focus of the churches humanitarian efforts. An Opthamologist from the state of Washington , Dr John Jarstad sacrificed time from his work and family to come to Indonesia to lecture at the University of Indonesia. While here he worked with LDS Charities to offer free examinations and glasses in the city of  Manado (400 people) and Jakarta (350 people). For many this may be their only opportunity to have their eyes examined by a physician.

A banner inside a large mall announced the church would be here to offer eye examinations and glasses. Several weeks ago we were in Manado because of a flash flood that engulfed the city. We worked with the mayor on our relief efforts. Through the mayors office people were invited to these examinations that had been impacted by the flood.

With the last remaining funds from the flood relief , LDS charities purchased $2500.00 in clothing for school uniforms. This photo was with a few of the children that received these cloths. Here pictured are the missionary couple from Manado (Elder and Sister Welch), the Manado Branch President (President Lang), the minister from the Manado city health dept, and Dr Jarstad.

                                                     The people waiting to see the doctors

Part of the 2014 vision project was to assist the Department of Opthamology at the University of Sam Ratulangi with much needed optical equipment, textbooks and training from Dr Jarstad. The residents from the program (dressed in yellow), graciously donated their time and skills to help at the examinations. It was a wonderful blessing to receive there help given the magnitude of the numbers that came for the exams.

 

 

          The first person examined was this small child born with some congenital eye damage.

Once examined, people had the opportunity to receive reading or prescriptive glasses, a great blessing for many.

                                                                 The medical team

The next morning Dr Jarstad was able to present to the Department of Opthamology some of the textbooks and medical equipment he brought with him

                     Thank you's from the department leader and the entire department displaying the textbooks that they received that will help them prepare for their board exams.

 

While in Manado we had an opportunity to go to one of the neighboring villages about 8 kilometers from the city and check on a potential water project for the future. Anytime you can get out into the country it is a hike through spectacular beauty.

 

                            The current water system the villagers have to get water.

                                                Children coming to get water

 

 

Back in Jakarta we held another day of eye exams at our local church. 350 attended.

President Djarot, stake president of the Jakarta stake came to assist. Having people reads words from a distance.

Who says that we cannot find commonality with those who believe differently than us? We may worship differently but all are devoted to serving God, and we are united in a desire to help others. We are grateful for the wonderful display of tolerance the Muslim people demonstrate in Indonesia. This week was another inspiring example of working together to help those in need.

Thanks to two optical residents from the University of Indonesia that came to assist in the examinations. A special thanks to Dr Jarstad who sacrificed time from his family and his practice to come to Indonesia and share his skills and training to train other doctors as well as help many with eye needs. Who says there are not angels among us, ministering and helping? Thank you Dr Jarstad, and may God Bless you for the wonderful good you do.