In late January of 2009, Dr. Burcham, his wife Vicki, and many other volunteers went to Panama to bring life changing surgeries and other services to the natives there. Here is his report and a link to a video regarding this trip on Youtube.

If this link does not connect you properly, log onto www.youtube.com. In the search area type, Panama Mission 2009 Metro Church.

We had a wonderful, fruitful trip to Panama. God blessed our efforts in so many ways, and conquered several problems which could have stopped our success (facility problems, supplies, equipment difficulties, health issues, etc.) Vicki did an awesome job of organizing, administrating and running the things that were “controllable and plannable” and God worked through it all. Our group had a great spirit, was really unified in purpose, and willing to sacrifice. It’s easy to be “parents” to that kind of group. Our “be-attitude” was: “Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape”.

We did 170 surgeries (69 cataracts on severely visually impaired people, 98 pterygium surgeries, various other tumors and lid procedures). The chiropractor really helped many with musculoskeletal problems, and the medical team saw over 1500 patients. Our construction team built a clinic building in a nearby town, and a home for a widowed mother of 3. The dental team helped many in pain, and also did restoration work on young people. Our evangelistic team worked with our patients and also in the town of Torti, and the little church was packed every night for the evangelistic services. 6 people came to faith in Jesus and were baptized, and many others are now in continuing Bible studies with the local Christians. The entire town could see that the love and service shown to them was in the Name of Jesus, and the reputation of the church in Torti skyrocketed. Our mission touched over 3000 lives.

One quick story that you can see in the video: One elderly lady was brought in by her daughter, led by the hand. She had white cataracts and had been totally blind for 6 years. The next day after surgery, she came in to have her eye checked. When the patch was removed, she could see all the people in the room. At first there was laughing and rejoicing, until we noticed that the daughter had dropped to her knees in front of her mother and, in tears, was lifting her hands to God in praise that her mother could now see. All the little lady could say is (over and over), “Allelujah….Gloria a Dios!”

After experiencing God’s blessings on this trip, we also say, “praise the Lord…Glory to God!”

For information on how you can help with donations for the next trip, please contact Debbie at Burcham Eyecare Center 303 340 4600. Thanks again to the patients who support Dr. Burcham’s trips with donations. It is much appreciated.