(photos couldnt be loaded to the blog. check them out on my facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/#!/zach.murphy.5682/media_set?set=a.10153032673754300.1073741858.527984299&type=1 )
Part of our ministry here in Apolo is speaking at church events throughout the week. Last Sunday in particular, we were told we would be speaking at a community event with the Baptist church. So we walk to the Baptist church only to be told that the event was being held on the other side of town at a new site for the church about 2 kilometers away. So we hike across town about 30 minutes late for the “start” of church. Of course we are aware of Bolivian time at this point, but today we would get a whole new meaning. We were used to Bolivian time being about a 30 minute delay and therefore were expecting to jump right into our song and dance since we were getting there half an hour later than the projected time. However, there are a couple of other factors that go in to Bolivian time being; 1. How far away from town the meeting place is and 2. How many people are expected to be at the event. Since this event was a ways out of town and a bigger community event, that meant that our 30 minute tardy arrival was about an hour early Bolivian time. In fact, they were just starting to set up. That extra hour gave me the opportunity to meet Elaina. A tiny woman who had a big impact on my faith and joy in Christ.
When we first arrive in the church compound, which consisted of 1 brick wall, a couple of wooden posts outlining the area, and two tarps hanging for shelter from the sun, it would have been very easy to miss Elaina. She sat crouched in the shade of a short mud wall. Knees bent, reaching about 2.5 feet tall, she sat there with her hand outstretched towards us. At first glance you may have thought she was only begging for money or food, but with the extent of your own arm, you realize she was only looking to greet you to church. Embracing her hand was an invitation to bend down and kiss her on the cheek. And once she had your attention, she had a lot to say. With the biggest smile she would ramble on about her life and why she was here and why her posture was the way it was. We had a translator, but Elaina’s enthusiasm hardly allowed room for interpretation as she kept motoring about her story. There was such a joy in her eyes and energy in her voice as she told us of how she has been moving from place to place looking for work since she had crippled both her arms and legs. As much as my knees hurt from crouching down with her and my ears ached from trying to pick up her Spanish, I couldn’t remove myself from the situation. I was inspired by her joy and endurance despite the things she had been through and seeing her still try her hardest even in a small town of Apolo. And then her faith. She asked us with such sincerity if we could pray for her healing. So we crouched down and thanked God for her joy and that His will be done in and through her spirit.
As with many people that I meet on the race, I was humbled. I keep asking and wondering how I am in the situation of traveling the world and meeting these people who will never have half the opportunities I am presented with. Why I was chosen to have the upbringing I did and the health and opportunities I have and will have I may never know this side of eternity. But it is the people like Elaina here in Apolo, Bolivia and Gerald of Camp Hope in Quito, Ecuador who bring a joy to the life they have been given that will constantly humble me and never let me waste a blessing from the Lord.I ask that you join me in continuing to pray specifically for Elaina and that she will be provided for and pain will be eased and motion revived in her crippled body.
