In 2004, we got approval from the IRS to be a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization. This designation made the way we were conducting SEE Ministries’ business so much easier. As a non-profit corporation, we were able to independently schedule fund-raising activities, report our legal obligations to the government, and conduct our everyday business.

In 2014, as it turned out, we were again being groomed to keep our eyes and hearts open for messages from Jesus. We went to Malawi for eyeglasses clinics with old friends, and met Dr. Chris Blackburn and his wife Dr. Patricia. They conducted addiction recovery clinics; we stayed in the same hotel and became friends with them, sharing our common love for serving people in Jesus’ love.

In 2015 we invited the Blackburns to accompany us to Uganda and Kenya, where we conducted eyeglass clinics and they held addiction recovery clinics. Our relationship with them was strongly cemented, and they endeared themselves to all our partners in Uganda and Kenya.The glasses ministry provided glasses for about 40,000 people until its end with the 2015 trip. It was really sad realizing that the eyeglass ministry was over, but our love for Africa was not; in fact our ‘retirement’ didn’t last 6 months!

“Out of the blue”, in mid-2016, there was a plea for us to help schoolgirls stay in school by providing them with free disposable sanitary pads. The Luchivyas had been learning how to assemble a quality product, and were making pads entirely by hand at their home – their tools were a butcher knife to scrape banana stems, scissors to cut the pad material and shred paper, and basic sewing tools. They could only make about 20 pads per week – enough for 3 girls.

When the new ministry idea was shared with Dr. Blackburn, he immediately sent us a check to help provide them with a sewing machine. We added to the fund, allowing them to buy a sewing machine with a cabinet, scissors and other sewing tools, and they started making pads by the hundreds! Shortly afterwards, we made an agreement with 2 Primary Schools to provide pads for their girls, numbering about 100 each, every month, 12 months a year. Now, 10 years later, we’re up to 15 schools and over 2,500 girls every month.

One final comment. Jesus showed us our plan and how to implement it. He also provided us with the assistance of dozens of other people who mentored us through all the highs and all the lows. We give God the glory and a heartfelt thanks to all the Christians who have helped us along the way!

in Jesus’ unending love — George & Diana