Matthew 9:37 reads:  Then He (Jesus) said to them.  The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.

Have you ever been on a mission to Africa? I pray that after reading my personal story, you will be encouraged to pray about this and consider whether God would have you serve there.

I am going to share with you my humble experience serving in Kass.  Kass is a small town in Southern Darfur in Sudan. The mission I was involved with had an indelible impact on my life spiritually and professionally.  After my trip, I came to understand  a common saying I often heard among people serving in NGOs there; "Once you get into Africa, Africa never gets out of your heart”.  I experienced this saying as a continuous calling on my heart to serve there, to do something for the multitudes of blind people.  Their numbers are increasing and the vast majority of their problems are treatable. Their is a huge need for Ophthalmologists from all over the planet to serve in this area.  The Harvest is indeed plentiful and the workers are few.  It is difficult, yet exciting to think how God might use you as a servant for His kingdom to help in this harvest.  Please consider praying about this.

 

I confess that it was not easy to serve in this area of Sudan.  The land and people have been devastated by war and famine.  Despite the the trying circumstances I never regretted serving there because I knew I had to be obedient to God's call on my heart.  I knew whatever trials I might face, I would be watched over by the Lord.  Now, back home, I thank God for giving me wonderful experience.  It literally changed my life in a way I never imagined!

I had minimal material belongings, but I experienced extreme freedom from "things" and I knew I had to completely rely on God’s love and grace.  I experienced His close presence as I never did before and I even felt His comforting shadow over me- even in the hardest, most difficult times on my mission.

I am and Ophthalmologist from Jordan.  I work in a public general hospital and had become overwhelmed by the daily routine.  I felt I was losing a vision for the future. Serving in Kass, which is deprived of the most basic medical services helped me to recognize my small role in the Lord's plan to reduce the suffering of so many people blinded by treatable causes. This period of time challenged me to re-evaluate my values and priorities.  It gave me a fresh perspective concerning what is most important and this time in Kass, replenished my empty tank.  This mission proved to me in a very very real way, that the joy of giving and serving for the Lord is so much greater than receiving.

One notable example that is especially exciting and joy filled is the way we were able to affect the life of a young, sad ,blind mother.  This woman was brought to the clinic by her children.  She had developed bilateral cataracts. We performed the surgery and this mother was a changed person- a different person.  This is God's hand at work.  She was walking with her head held high and with a gigantic, grateful smile on her face.  It was the smile of freedom;  a smile of being born again, a smile which shows the unspeakable gratitude that words could not express.

Smiles change people.  I found that there is more smiling, more grateful smiling faces in this destitute area, than I could see in the wealthiest places of the world.  This truth is found in our Lord’s answer to the tempter that "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."  Matthew 4:4

This mission did change my life. My interests have changed- I have started corresponding with missionaries all over the globe through the Mission Eye Network.  I attend missions related meetings and meet people from all over the world who are helping to share God's love through ophthalmology work in other countries.  I've been to the Christian Ophthalmology society annual meeting in the USA and have had training in mission intensive institutes like the world famous Aravind Eye Hospitals. I have been working on having a permanent mission to Southern Sudan, and I believe with our Lord's guidance and the help of brothers and sisters in missions, we can accomplish great things for God's kingdom with the Lord guiding our efforts and work.

Blessings,  

Amjad