For Better or For Worse

 

Over the past week and a half we’ve been working in a
leprosy colony in Bangkok, Thailand. 
One thing you should know is that these people have been healed from
leprosy, but still bear the deformities that this disease had on them in the
past.  However, society still is
very wary/cautious when it comes to giving them jobs/medical treatment,
therefore many of the former lepers are out-casted in a sense to colonies such
as this one.

 

Our team has been working with the children in a “preschool�
type setting that they call a “nursery� helping teaching, entertain, and feed
them.  These children are the
children and grandchildren of those who live in this colony. 

 

We’ve also been making hospital visits to those are in there
for anywhere from a few days up to 30+ years, as well as making home visits to
the members of the church that is held in this community.  We have been incredibly blessed to hear
stories of how God has blessed these people over and over again.

 

In this blog I would like to talk specifically about one
couple that we have visited in their home a few times.  To give you an idea of who they are, I
will tell you a little bit about them. 
The man can barely walk, as the muscles in his legs are severely
deteriorated and his toes have been gone for quite some time due to
leprosy.  He is blind and nearly
deaf (his wife scream everything into his ear and then giggles).  The muscle and cartlidge in his nose
and mouth are almost completely deteriorated causing him to need to hold a cloth
to his mouth to catch the drool. 
The woman is 60% blind, but still tries to hammer nails into the wall to
hang up mosquito nets while we all cringe and she giggles because she can
probably hear our gasps!

 

Even still, this couple cannot suppress the insurmountable
joy that Jesus has given them.  As
they speak and interact with each other you can feel the love and warmth, even
after 40+ years together and after leprosy has destroyed much of the husband’s
health.  This couple knows what it
truly means to stand before God and really mean the vows “for better or for
worse, in sickness and in health.�

 

As he holds the cloth to his mouth, his is still, with every
word, praising his Savior.  He
cannot stop talking about serving God, how he misses being able to hold Bible
studies in their home, serving in the church, and how much God has blessed
him!  Wow!  This man and woman, along with many
other Christian in this community have definitely humbled me as I’ve sat in awe
at how much they LOVE our God.  I
cannot even begin to tell you how convicting, but also encouraging it has been
to hear story after story of how God has blessed and excited the hearts and
souls of these people in the midst of their disease.  I’m still worried about my petty, insignificant frustrations.   I want, I deeply desire this kind
of passion, faith, and love for my Savior.  I want to get out of the way, be filled up completely with
Jesus…and WAY less of myself.