Seeing with New Eyes

April 26, 2026

Our "Sus Manos" (His Hands) team is back in the U.S. As we reenter life here, we see things differently. We notice the little things: hot and cold running water; being able to flush toilet paper down the commode; not wondering if water is safe to drink; roads that are paved and free of dust clouds; large air conditioned stores with many, many choices; comfortable homes with central air conditioning; and electricity that is generally reliable (We had two power outages at Alfredo house.)

Our eye clinic in Honduras is a powerful reminder that both Americans and Hondurans see things differently as a result of the work of Friends of Barnabas. Those of us coming from the U.S. saw Hondurans emerge from ramshackle homes in their Sunday best clothing to come to our medical clinics. Honduran families saw Americans, not only willing to provide medical care, but also to interact and play with them. Somehow, language wasn't a barrier. We saw each other as Children of God.

On our final evening together in Honduras, Honduran staff members and our U.S. team shared a dinner at a restaurant set in a dense forest. We took a picture together. Behind us were directional signs showing distances to various cities, including Washington D.C. It was a visible sign that we are one human family, God's family.

On the morning of our departure, there were many hugs with our Honduran colleagues. And when we landed in the U.S. there were many more as our team dispersed. But we all remain united in seeing things differently. As St. Paul taught: "For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known" (1 Corinthians 13:12). We are beginning to see each other more clearly as brothers and sisters in Christ. We are seeing with new eyes.

Steve