Nov. 4: An Eye-Opening Journey

For many years, actress Patricia Heaton (Everybody Loves Raymond, The Middle) had financially supported the volunteer work of her sons’ pediatrician, who traveled to poverty-stricken Sierra Leone, Africa, a few times a year on behalf of Lighthouse Medical Missions.  In partnership with several churches, the charity builds schools and takes medical supplies to the community there.   In 2009, he invited Heaton and her 15-year-old son to come along.

She explained on Christopher Closeup, “I had been to an orphanage in Mexico 20-something years ago so I knew what third-world living was like, but this was an eye-opener for my son….There were only 77 doctors in the whole country.  I have more doctors in one building in Beverly Hills.”

Heaton and her son helped serve the medical needs of the children, witnessing both desperation and joy among Sierra Leone’s citizens.  She said, “We need to be letting them know they’re not alone…There’s no end to the need there, so we will always have our work cut out for us.”

Honor physicians for their services.  (Sirach 38:1)

Help me respond to the needs of the poor, Father.