‘Give Sight’ aids 250 in Guatemala
By Jessica Brodie
IRMO—One Midlands church has made it possible for more than 250 people in Guatemala to see.
Union United Methodist Church launched a “Give Sight” mission campaign Feb. 2 to raise funds for Healing Guatemala’s Cataract Camps, held in April. Healing Guatemala is a medical mission in Guatemala supported by the Columbia District and founded by Dr. Luke Rhyee, a South Carolina pastor in the UMC.
Initially, Union’s goal was to raise funds to help 80 people get the cataract surgery they need, said Amy Gustafson, Union’s communications director. But Union has been able to more than triple that goal, and funds continue to roll in.
“Wow! God is good!” Rhyee said, expressing deep appreciation for the enthusiastic response from the congregation.
Gustafson said the idea to help was inspired from Union’s 2025 theme, “Living into Hope and Healing,” based on Luke 4:18-19. In that Scripture, Jesus referenced the prophet Isaiah, proclaiming, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (NIV).
Union launched their Give Sight mission Feb. 2, asking the congregation to take part in giving sight to the blind by helping fund cataract surgeries that Rhyee and his team will perform. Healing Guatemala’s Bethesda Hospital covers the cost of the cataract surgery, which is about $300. Patients are asked to pay $50 toward the surgery, and the rest is given through donations. Union members “adopted” wooden doll figures throughout the month, which represented a person to whom they would give sight. Families were invited to creatively personalize the doll figure with material, then continue to pray over the person they were helping throughout the event.
On Transfiguration Sunday, March 2, families brought their doll back to church and placed it at the altar, collectively celebrating the fruits of the mission and becoming a visual representation of their brothers and sisters in Christ who will now be able to see.
“There has been an amazing amount of interest, support and drive to be a part of this mission in bringing sight to the blind,” Gustafson said, reflecting on the outpouring of support.
Chris Elvis, chair of Union’s Missions Committee, said missions has always been a passion and priority of his, and he has followed Rhyee and Healing Guatemala for years, witnessing God at work through these cataract camps.
“When the idea of Give Sight was first proposed, I jumped at the opportunity to help,” Elvis said. “It was incredible to see the outpouring of support, prayers and love my Union church family exhibited throughout this campaign.”
Jean How, member of the planning committee, said she loved watching the congregation get excited about the project, and the dolls really helped people understand it was a person they were helping, not an anonymous cause.
“When you sponsored a doll, you felt like you had a personal connection with a real person in Guatemala, a person you could see,” How said. “It got personal. Our excitement grew and grew, and our final goal tripled.”
Ten-year-old Etta Price Cochcroft got so excited about helping that she sold muffins to raise funds for the project.
“I wanted to help the blind because I have Strabismus—I see double—and have to wear glasses to see. I also am so blessed that I have many colors of glasses to help me,” Etta said. “The sad part is the people we are helping don’t have enough money to buy the things they need, including their vision, which makes me really sad. So when I heard about this project, I knew I had to help.”
Etta ended up raising $501, doubling her goal, and ultimately helped fund cataract surgery for two people.
Tom Goff said he and his wife, Joan, appreciate the way their church tries to genuinely reflect the character of Jesus.
“We remember that Galatians 5:14 tells us, ‘For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command, love your neighbor as yourself,’” he said. “Giving Sight is a way to love people that can’t repay you.”
Rhyee said he is excited about the enthusiasm the project generated.
“I am so happy that our brothers and sisters in Guatemala can regain their sight because of Union’s outpouring of love,” Rhyee said.
To learn more about Healing Guatemala, email [email protected], or write Healing Guatemala, P.O. Box 1835, Duluth, GA 30096.
Gustafson contributed to this article.