I Can See Her Now”: Blake Johnes and the Miracle at Burpong Medical Clinic
Amigos Internacionales • August 8, 2025
Blake Johnes had not seen his daughter in three years.
At 73, Blake had lost everything familiar. Blindness took his vision. Then his wife left. Only his daughter remained—guiding him, feeding him, holding on when others let go.
He lived in Lamwo District in Northern Uganda. A place where many suffer in silence. Medical care is far, expensive, and often unavailable. For Blake, hope had run out long before help arrived.
But then came a voice on the radio.
It spoke of a free medical camp in Palabek Ogili. A partnership between Missionpoint Africa, Doctors on Mission International, and local leaders. It promised real care—vision screenings, cataract surgeries, dental treatment, and spiritual support.
His daughter didn’t hesitate. She brought him to the camp, praying for a miracle.
And on August 3rd, it happened.
Blake’s cataracts were removed by our team. Hours later, the bandages came off.
Tears flowed as light broke through.
Blake saw his daughter again. Her face—the same one that had guided him through darkness—was now the first thing he saw. He wept. She wept. Nurses, doctors, and volunteers wept.
Healing had come—not just to his eyes, but to his heart.
This is why we go. This is why Missionpoint exists. Not just to treat symptoms, but to restore dignity. To reflect God’s love in word and deed. To meet people in their pain and walk with them toward hope.
To every partner, donor, and prayer warrior—you made this possible.
Blake sees again. And with that sight, a new life begins.
About Amigos International & the Missionpoint Medical Camps
Amigos International exists to serve the vulnerable through sustainable development and faith-based outreach in some of the hardest-to-reach areas. Our Missionpoint Medical Camps are a direct response to the critical lack of access to healthcare in rural Uganda.
These camps bring together doctors, nurses, dentists, eye specialists, volunteers, and spiritual leaders to offer free medical, dental, vision, and ultrasound services. More than that, we bring prayer, encouragement, and the message of hope in Christ.
Each camp lasts 2–3 days and reaches thousands of people with physical healing and spiritual care. Together with our partners at Doctors on Mission International, we’re building bridges of trust, restoring health, and changing lives—one patient, one village, one miracle at a time.
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A Permanent Endowment to Serve Children, Families, and the Gospel—Forever In a world where needs never stop, we must build solutions that never run dry. That’s the heart behind the John LaNoue Sr. Forever Fund , a permanent endowment hosted by HighGround Advisors and stewarded by Amigos Internacionales . This fund protects its principal forever and uses investment income to fuel long-term impact through water, education, health, and Gospel-centered outreach. This is more than a donation. It’s a legacy. And it’s needed now more than ever.
One Surgery. One Child. A Lifetime Transformed 15% of Ugandan children will require surgical care before age 18. Only a fraction ever receive it . Rural children are hit hardest : over 80% of cases are in remote villages. Almost half of surgical needs remain unmet . Cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) is common. These children suffer feeding challenges, risk of aspiration, chronic ear infections, and speech delay . Malnutrition is rampant : up to 68% of infants with CL/P in Uganda are undernourished; many remain ineligible for surgery due to frail health Untreated consequences : ongoing pain, family isolation, lifelong stigma, lost chances, and even school dropout . Yet the solution exists. Simple, safe surgery can restore wholeness. But time, resources, and access—especially in remote regions—are missing.
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When we first met John Paul, his world was cloaked in darkness—literally and spiritually. Once a reader and active member of his community, John Paul had lost his vision due to a severe form of cataract that left him completely blind. He came to the Missionpoint Medical Camp in Uganda with a quiet hope, though years of living in darkness had nearly smothered it.
Discover the top African charities to donate to in 2025, led by Amigos Internacionales, empowering Uganda with meals, water, and education.
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In a remote village in southwestern Uganda, a woman named Joy once faced the devastating possibility of permanent blindness. Last year, driven by deteriorating vision and rising desperation, she traveled many kilometers on foot to reach a government hospital in hopes of receiving cataract surgery. But the cost— 3,000,000 Ugandan shillings (approximately $800 USD )—was impossibly high. She returned home defeated. “I decided to forget about my left eye,” Joy shared. “And I prayed my right eye wouldn’t die.”
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Picture a child in Uganda with big dreams but no way to reach them. That’s the reality for too many orphans who can’t afford school. In places like Northern Uganda, poverty hits hard, and education often feels out of reach. As per statistics, only 51% of girls finish primary school there, and boys don’t have it much easier. Without school, their futures stay small. But here’s the good news: for just $38 a month, you can sponsor a child and change that. You give them school, uniforms, and a real shot at a better life. Want to know how it works? We’ll walk you through why this matters, share a real story, and show you how to jump in. Check out our program; Sponsor a Child , or read about Uganda’s education gaps at UNESCO Uganda Stats . >> Want to change a life? Sponsor a Child for $38 today! The Education Crisis in Uganda Life isn’t easy for kids in rural Uganda. If you’re an orphan, it’s even tougher. School isn’t free, and without money for fees or uniforms, you’re not allowed back. Boys struggle too, but girls often drop out for things like early marriage or chores. When kids can’t learn, they’re stuck in poverty forever. No school means no skills, no jobs, and no way to climb out. It’s a cycle that’s hard to break. That’s where Amigos Internacionales comes in. Our sponsorship program steps up with $38 a month to cover school costs, keeping kids in class and giving them a chance to dream bigger. Want the bigger picture? Peek at Uganda’s poverty stats at World Bank Uganda . It’s a tough spot, but you can help. >> Help a kid beat the odds. Sponsor a Child now! Aloyo Brenda’s Story of Hope Let’s talk about Aloyo Brenda, a kid from Uganda whose life got a lift from sponsorship. Growing up, Brenda couldn’t always go to school. Poverty meant she didn’t have money for fees or supplies, so her education was spotty. Then Amigos stepped in, her sponsor made sure she got books, uniforms, and a steady spot in class. Now, Brenda’s got big plans. She wants to be a lawyer someday and build her grandma a house to say thanks. She’s already learning more, feeling confident, and loving school. In her own words, “Your brave step in sponsoring kids has given me a brighter future.” That’s the power of sponsorship: it’s not just money, it’s hope. Want to read her full story? Visit our page: Sponsorship Stories . >> Sponsor a Child like Brenda. Donate Now! What Your $38 Does Every Month So, what does $38 actually do? It’s pretty straightforward. Your monthly gift covers school fees, uniforms, books, and supplies for one Ugandan orphan. Amigos works with local schools to make sure every dollar gets to the kids who need it. We’ve already got 32 young men and women fully funded for a year, and you can add to that list. Here’s a cool part: you don’t just send money and forget. Every three months, you get a video update from your child, hosted by Patrick from Amigos. You’ll see them grow, learn, and smile. Over time, that education helps them build skills to support their families and villages. It’s a ripple effect. Curious how this fits with other projects. See their water work at Clean Water . >> See your $38 in action. Sponsor at Sponsor a Child now! Amigos’ Bigger Picture Sponsorship isn’t all Amigos does. We’ve been at this since 1967, over 55 years of helping kids and communities stand tall. Besides education, we’ve built wells in Uganda and fed millions in Central America. It’s all connected. Clean water keeps kids healthy, school gives them skills, and faith ties it together with hope. Conclusion Here’s the bottom line: for $38 a month, you can sponsor a child like Aloyo Brenda and open doors to education and dreams. It’s more than just school. It’s a lifeline for Ugandan orphans, a way to break poverty’s grip, and a boost for their whole community. Amigos Internacionales is making it happen, one child at a time, and you can be part of it. Your support today could mean a lawyer, a teacher, or a leader tomorrow. Ready to step up? Get started today & Sponsor a Child . Together, we’re unlocking futures, and that feels pretty amazing. FAQs What does my $38 pay for? It covers school fees, uniforms, books, and supplies for one child each month. How do I see my child’s progress? You’ll get video updates every three months from Patrick at Amigos. Who can I sponsor? Ugandan orphans who need help to stay in school. How many kids are sponsored now? 32 young men and women are funded for a full year. Where does my money go? It goes straight to schools through Amigos’ local partners.
