Love Is Blindness...Or So They Say

Well, the Maine Eye Team has arrived in Quiché, and today marks thefirsts full day of surgeries for them. What's on the docket you ask? About 12 cataract surgeries for a people who have had basically no access to eye care. Its great when sight can be restored with a simple procedure that the Maya would never receive otherwise.

This morning while Lance and I were doing some work around the dorm, a woman from the team, "Jane", came in to get some papers, etc. However, she burst into tears before she could tell us what she needed. "Jane" had just told a Mayan woman that she would never see again, due to advancedglaucomaa. Even though she had worked in the medical field for over 40 years, she had never felt this level of hopelessness or despair. She then commented that this is very hard for "an old atheist". My heart broke for her...its difficult enough to watch this from a faith perspective, knowing that whatever happens, I can have peace because Christ is in this. I do this out of a love for Him, and His people. I cannot imagine what it is like to deal with this type of mission without Him.

That experience also reminded me that the heart of our mission rests with the Guatemalans, but also with the medical teams that come down here. Many of them are, in fact,atheistss, or agnostic. They are a separate mission field unto themselves, and I usually spend more time with them than with the Mayans. Its about loving these professionals in practical ways that speak the love of Christ to them. I've said this before, and I will say it many many times: I'm glad its not my job to save the world. I will gladly leave that up to God, and let Him use me as He may, when He may.

Lance and I are doing great and enjoying our trip so far. I forget how long the days can be here. We are finding jobs to do to keep ourselves occupied and entertained. Later on today, we might venture out to market on bicycle...

Hasta Luego!
Carrie

"Love is blindness
I don't want to see
Won't you wrap the night
Around me
Oh my love
Blindness."
~'Love Is Blindness' U2

Of Course I Said Yes....

Well, its officially official. Lance and I are engaged! Yay! We went to Crystal Beach on Saturday, and Lance got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I was not expecting a proposal since the ring wasn't supposed to be here until November. It was a wonderful, beautiful surprise, and it was the proposal of my dreams. Here is a pic of us from this summer. (I couldn't upload the ring pic, so here is the website if you have any notion to browse .....http://www.topazery.com/antique-jewelry-item-rg1636.htm . And he picked this one out all on his own, folks!) The wedding will be on March 24th, here in Houston at Cherry Hurst Park, and reception at Taft. I hope to see you there!

Love FromThe-Soon-to-be Mrs. Dickson,
Carrie

Movers and Shakers Unite

So I might actually be the worst blogger of all time.... (its actually been two months, maybe three since my last post)

Dr. Bell and her husband are settled in at their new residence in Guatemala, and doing a fabulous job. We are all so thankful that the organization can continue to function as it was meant to! The Bells work long and difficult days, but they love it so far. Please keep them in your prayers as they continue to serve the Maya people of Guatemala.

Lance and I will be headed down to Guate in two weeks for about 10 days. An eye team from Maine is on their way to do surgeries and clinic. After this team, I will (hopefully) be stateside until June. As it is, I get back from Guate on the 28th of October, and move into a new place on the same day. I will keep you updated better while I am there this time...I promise!

For all of my Teen Mania friends, I thought I would be able to make it to GV, but alas, I have a benefit show for Agape and a wedding that weekend. Give all my love to Ron and Dave and the whole family...

Peace,
Carrie