Church Missions Network partners with Sight Ministries International to bring both practical eyecare clinics and the hope of the Gospel to communities in East Africa.
During a recent mission trip, Stacey Thompson, an optician from Sumter, South Carolina, joined the team representing Westside Baptist Church to help provide eye exams and glasses to villagers in need. Through this partnership, many people received access to vision care that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to obtain.
But while physical care was important, the team also focused on sharing the love of Jesus with the local communities. There are a lot of kids running around the village so the missions team found ways to help them stay busy including teaching them some English, telling Bible stories and offering gospel and bible themed coloring books.
One of the most meaningful moments for Stacey came during the children’s ministry activities. Team members Sandra and Maria had been teaching children a simple but powerful message: “Jesus loves me” in English and American Sign Language. The following day, while the children were coloring, one young girl remembered the lesson and joyfully repeated the phrase with the sign language.
For Stacey and the team, moments like these remind them why they serve.
Mission trips are often filled with practical work — clinics, travel, organizing supplies, and meeting physical needs — but the heart behind it all is sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. Sometimes the simplest words can leave the deepest impact.
The partnership between Sight Ministries International and Church Missions Network continues to create opportunities to serve communities throughout East Africa through compassion, medical outreach, and the Gospel message.
Whether through providing glasses, encouraging children, or simply showing kindness, each act of service points back to the love of Christ.
To learn more about these mission efforts and future opportunities to serve, visit Sight Ministries International or join a CMN trip!
