Christian Productions International: December 2013

Reaching out to the Latin American World

A Picture Is Worth ... Maybe,

A Baby's Sight?

Sadie was born blind. Her doctors in Guatemala told her mother, soon after her birth in 2012, that there was nothing they could do to help her to see.

But, that all changed for Sadie and her family on Sunday, November 4, 2013. The family gathered with the estimated 4,000 for a great worship service in Guatemala City. The large metal hangar of a building was packed with people from all over Guatemala and from the United States and other countries attending the 50th Pan American Lectureship.

“Can I take your picture?” I asked the friendly looking woman who had a child strung on her back. Then Sadie’s grandma smiled and turned around for me take their picture.

Taking photos of people and capturing moments of spiritual fellowship is a part
of what I enjoy doing as we travel.

These pictures are used to share the activities God allows Christian Productions to be involved with. For me, a picture has always been worth a thousand words, until now. On this day it was worth much more!

The next thing I heard was a gentle voice in my ear saying, “Excuse me, I am the mother of that baby you just took a picture of, and that is my mother holding the baby.” The young mother then gave me a desperate look and told me that her 17-month-old baby, Sadie, was blind.

“I heard there may be an eye doctor with your group attending the Pan American Lectureship. Do you think he could help my baby?” she asked.

Yes, Dr. Allen Dutton, a missionary to Brazil and an eye doctor was attending the lectureship. Right there and then, in the parking lot behind the family’s pick-up truck, he examined Sadie’s eyes as she lay in her grandmother’s arms. He opened one eye then the other. Each time Sadie cried out when the light hit her eye. Allen turned around and smiled at the gathering crowd of family, each of which had tears pouring down their face, as Allen told us that Sadie could see light. Her cataract filled eyes prevented her from seeing and that these should be removed immediately.

Sadie’s mom shook her head and said the doctors had told her that nothing could be done for the baby in Guatemala. We all circled our arms around each other and prayed for God to open up a way for Sadie to get the help she needed. We got the family’s contact information from Sadie’s uncle, said good-bye, then walked to the school buses that had brought us to the Sunday service.

Then, God answered our prayer for Sadie’s sight!

As we walked up Rick Harper, from Health Talents International, was getting on the bus. When he heard Sadie’s story he smiled and told us that a group of eye surgeons were scheduled to arrive in Guatemala the first week in March!

Follow-up: Health Talents International has contacted Sadie’s family, and baby Sadie is scheduled to be examined, and given whatever help the surgeons can provide.

Let’s smile as we remember to pray for Sadie’s healing, her family’s encouragement, and that God’s name will be glorified through our fellowship.

This experience is a gift we can all cherish during this holiday season. Enjoy!