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MY LIFE HAS BEEN changed forever by a calling from God.

My journey started when I contacted the Rev. Keith Boyette, pastor of Wilderness Community Church in Spotsylvania County, earlier this year about fundraising ideas for mission trips. He mentioned an upcoming mission to Ayacucho, Peru, in five weeks.

I asked him how I could help with the trip to South America, and he told me to contact Becky Van Renan, a registered nurse in Spotsylvania and Wilderness Community Church's medical mission leader.

When I reached her, she told me she has been trying for six years to get an optometrist for the mission trip, and that she could use any donations that I could arrange.

Well, three days later I told her I had arranged through National Vision Inc. to get 600 reading glasses and 400 pairs of sunglasses for her to take on the trip. I also offered to take personal leave and go with the team.

All I needed now was a passport, so I sent the documentation in. Two weeks went by and I did not hear anything. Time was of the essence. I contacted Sen. Jim Webb's office and told his staff about the planned trip and asked for help. That same afternoon, I received a call from the National Passport Agency and they told me if I would send to them my original birth certificate instead of a copy, they would get it out overnight. Two days later, it was in my hands.

I also contacted pharmaceutical and vision-care companies for medications and equipment to use on our trip.

They were gracious enough to donate more than $200,000 in medications, including implants for cataract surgeries as well as vision-care equipment. These companies included: AmeriCares, Blessings International, Crosslink International, Heart to Heart, Kingsway Charities, Project Hope, Allergan Pharmaceuticals, AMO-Abbott Pharmaceuticals, PediaVision, Alcon Pharmaceuticals, Hub Pharmaceuticals, Bausch&Lomb Inc., Haag Streit Inc., Texas Lions Club Recycling Center, Dr. Robert Searle and Reade Fahs, CEO of National Vision Inc., to whom I extend special thanks. Last but not least, I want to thank my wife, Greta Press, for allowing me to be part of this medical mission.