Below are three glimpses into some of what is happening through the North Africa team:His eyes had been tested and glasses prescribed. The small boy sat in front of Jim, a retiree who has committed his life to trips such as this one. After Jim placed the corrective lenses in the Harry Potter-like round eyeglasses and fit them to the child’s face, he looked up in wonder at Jim…and then placed a big, wet kiss on Jim’s forehead. A kiss implanted forever in Jim’s heart.

A mother brought her infant to the hospital where our surgical team was working. The baby had a severe cleft palate but our skilled doctor was able to repair the problem, with mother and baby staying overnight for recovery. The next morning when one of our team nurses went into the room to check on the tiny patient, the baby turned his head and smiled at the nurse! Tears flowed as this woman on her first trip caught a glimpse of why she had come this project.

With 50 squirmy children waiting for the next vision test, one of our team stood in front of them and began to sing the familiar song, “Do Re Mi,” from the Sound of Music movie. Soon the children were delightedly singing the musical scale with him although they knew not one word of English. The next song had them giggling– “Mickey Mouse” from the old television program was led by another team member. In this non-Christian country, using songs known around the world, the children caught a glimpse of love of God through the efforts of ordinary people.