The entry you are about to read is a blog created by Ann Hefflinger. She was one of the two missionaries that came to our church last two weeks or so. I want you all to read this because, maybe, all of us had felt what she experienced in this story. The first story she is about to tell happened near our place. Please take time to read. Thanks
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I'm not sure how to say this, or how to fit it in, so I'm just going to. Mission trips are not completely all fun and games. They are amazing and they are fun, but most the time I don't post some of the terrible things I see because I do not want to dwell on them. However, one evening, this year, on Dec 20, 2009,
I saw my first legless man hop himself across the road...I also watched as hundreds of people streamed passed him and did there best to avoid him by completely ignoring him. We were at a bus stop in front of Jolibees when we heard some ruckus and two young boys went running by. We turned around to see the cause of this, and there hoping towards us was a legless man. Everyone, including myself, turned away as he continued to quickly hop passed us and to the edge of the road. I could barely comprehend what I just saw, so I turned to look at him again. I did not want to look at his legs, so I looked at his face, and was captivated by what I saw. He was young looking, maybe in his 20s or 30s. His eyes did not have that hallow, empty look like so many homeless. And though it seemed so out of place, and almost wrong, he looked happy and somewhat content. But he had big scar on his right cheek that told me his life was anything but happy. I was surprised that He did not look at us, nor was he begging for money. He just studied the road intently, and once let out a weird sounding cry, as if he was trying to speak but couldn't. Then I noticed he wore sandals on his hands. I assume so that they wouldn't be shredded as he hopped around the city.
A couple times I thought he would turn and look as us, maybe ask for money, or chase us like he chased the boys, but he never did. I kept expecting him to make eye contact with sad, sad eyes, but he would not. He just sat there, waiting for the road to clear. I wanted to say something to him, do something, anything but stare. I asked Pastor if I should give him money. He said No. I figured because then everyone would want money. I asked if we should do something, but everyone just looked at me with an amused compassion and said something I don't remember. All I was hearing is that they didn't want to help, and even louder, my own guilt for not doing anything. My heart was breaking for this man. I wanted so badly to talk to him, to share Jesus's love with him, and let him know not everyone was ignoring him, and that someone cares, but to be honest, i was afraid of him. Could he even speak? Would he be angry with me for taking pity on him? (He looked very vicious with the boys) Or would he appreciate it if I talked to him? Treated him like a human, and not a dog? A very faint memory of a wheel chair ministry came to my mind, and thought maybe it was Ser Jess I heard mention it. I asked Ser Jess about it, but he had no idea what I was talking about. He said he'd consider it. I wanted very bady to get this man a wheel chair. A feeling creep into my heart, and I knew it was wrong to feel this way, but i was frustrated that none of the men would step up and talk to him. After all, it might be safer, and more normal for them to speak with him. Another memory from Africa, of one of our leaders carrying a young girl with cybrilpalsy to the doctor, jumped into my head. It didn't really matter that I was a girl, and the guys were probably just as scared as me. Deep in my heart, I knew I should try to reach out to this man. But I hesitated, and about the time I felt like I was going to risk my life and talk to him, the road cleared and he hopped very quickly across the road on his hands, and disappeared into the dark streets.
I was relieved, but also cut like a knife and as I walked across the street and jumped into a van with Jesus stickers all over it. Shame poured over me like water. What kind of christian am I? I like to think i'm helping when I share the gospel, or participate in prayer meeting, or when I play with beautiful healthy orphan children, or hold a bible study, but is it all hypocritial if I won't help someone who really needs it?
Someone who does not have a safe place to live, who can't speak, who probably doesn't have any friends or family, who doesn't even have legs??
The story of this leg-less man continues to torment me. What would Jesus have done? He surely would not have stood by and watched. Jesus would probably heal him, or at least talk to him. The only way i've been comforted is to know that Jesus loves this man, and his heart is breaking for him too. And not just because he's leg-less, but for his soul. He could be saved, and that would explain the light in his eyes, but what if he's not? I know Jesus is intercessing for this man, and i'll be praying for him too. Maybe our story is not over. RM said he's been directing cars at that Jolibee's for years, and sometimes people pay him or give him food. Maybe i'll see him again next year, and next year, maybe i'll be able to do something. Maybe I could try to talk with him. Maybe we could get him a wheel chair and he could live with us at Saringyaman. Maybe he could learn to speak, read and write. Best of all, maybe he'll learn of Jesus and accept him into his heart!
I fell so unqualifyed for this, but if no one else will, i will.
Please be praying for this man (and me), and all the missionaries all around the world that have to deal with things like this every single day. Pray for the ugly, crippled, disabled, and legless, because in reality, they are beautiful, wonderful people just like the rest of us. It's hard enough what they have to go through, and most of them do it alone.
Why are the hands of God (us christians) not reaching?
"Why aren't His hands healingWhy are the hands of God (us christians) not reaching?
Why aren't His words teaching
And if we are the Body
Why aren't His feet going
Why is His love not showing them there is a way
Jesus paid much too high a price
For us to pick and choose who should come
And we are the Body of Christ" ~ Casting Crowns song
Obviously, the story of this man has greatly impacted me, and for awhile I forgot that there are Christians helping the disabled. I realize there are a lot of Christians doing a lot to help the disabled. There are many wheel chair missions, medical clinics, hospitals, families adopting disabled and mentally ill children etc. Even my church was involved with raising money for a hospital for disabled children in Africa. It just all seems so impersonal because i've never been so close to a disabled person, who hasn't been helped, and no idea of how to help in real life.
And even though I despaired for awhile over this one man's life, I am comforted that others are being healed, and that
And even though I despaired for awhile over this one man's life, I am comforted that others are being healed, and that
JESUS IS MOVING, HIS HANDS ARE HEALING, HIS WORDS ARE TEACHING, AND HIS LOVE IS SHOWING THE LOST THE WAY!
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--> "What would Jesus do?" This one really hit me. Most of us go to church every Sunday, for some even everyday, to listen to God's word. Don't we realize what does the Word of God wants us to do? Reach out to people and share them what we have, and that is Jesus. I mean ALL people. Most of the time, we choose the people we want to have a conversation. We're choosy that is. But God wants all people to be saved: the crippled, the mute, the ill, everyone! That is because God loves us all and He wants to share His love to all of us, with us realizing it. To experience life with Jesus as the center of it. It would be really nice to die in body and live forever in spirit, don't you think?
Always do to the answer "What would Jesus do?" I'm sure, it'll be the best thing to be done. :)
Anne's blog ---> link
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--> "What would Jesus do?" This one really hit me. Most of us go to church every Sunday, for some even everyday, to listen to God's word. Don't we realize what does the Word of God wants us to do? Reach out to people and share them what we have, and that is Jesus. I mean ALL people. Most of the time, we choose the people we want to have a conversation. We're choosy that is. But God wants all people to be saved: the crippled, the mute, the ill, everyone! That is because God loves us all and He wants to share His love to all of us, with us realizing it. To experience life with Jesus as the center of it. It would be really nice to die in body and live forever in spirit, don't you think?
Always do to the answer "What would Jesus do?" I'm sure, it'll be the best thing to be done. :)
Anne's blog ---> link
