My squad and I have been presented with various opportunities to serve this month; one of which is medical camps. Doctors from the local hospital, which is down the street from where we are staying, assemble and load up the ambulances with medicine and supplies, then head out to remote villages. The objective is simple: These doctors and pharmacists set up shop in a village, treat and diagnose patients, dispense complimentary medication as needed, and bring us along to interact/pray for patients. I have also served as a pharmacist and in other capacities at these medical camps, and they’ve opened the door to some of my favorite memories in India.
A few weeks ago, my team and I ventured to the nearby village of Lazongphi for a medical camp. We arrived and congregated in the front yard of the chief, flanked by patients waiting to be seen.
It was there that I met Ledguun, a 22 year old village member. We spoke of political and economic affairs in the States, cars, motorcycles, soccer, and traveling. We clicked instantly and he introduced me to some of his friends. As we sat and chatted as they waited to be seen, I asked my new friends about life in their village, and the huge turnout that day. Ledguun then spoke to the immense poverty in his village, informing me that Lazongphi was one of the poorest villages in all of East India, and the poorest in the state of Manipur.
“How many of these people would be able to afford this medicine today if it werent’ complimentary?” I asked.
Ledguun took a long look around, and almost ashamedly responded, “None.”
I felt a tugging on my heart to spruce to action as the morning progressed into us playing soccer. Soon after, we were surrounded by children and adults wanting to join in the fun. As we played, I noticed that most around me weren’t wearing shoes.
Dismayed, and puzzled, I again pulled Ledguun aside and asked him about it. He confirmed my suspicions by relaying that most in his village didn’t own a pair of shoes. Some owned cheap flip flops, but most couldn’t afford a proper pair of shoes.
The tugging on my heart having swelled, I marched up to the chief’s front door and asked to see him. I decided he’d know about this issue and could possibly help. He arrived and I introduced myself. We shook hands as I relayed to him the events of the day, and the reason for my visit. He confirmed that many in the village did indeed live without shoes. I told him I wanted to help. I asked who in his village he knew that absolutely needed shoes the worst. I wanted to start with the poorest of the poor. Hesitantly, he scribbled down three names on a sheet of paper. He then scribbled three more.
“Here,” he said. These six are in desperate need and have never had a pair of shoes,” he remarked. We exchanged contact information and he told me he would text our ministry contact once he had the correct sizes.
Upbeat, but cautiously optimistic, I waited for a week and a half to hear anything.
This past Wednesday, word finally came from our contact that we could purchase the shoes. We ventured into the market, and when my contact pulled up his message from the chief, there were nine names. Five women, and three men. We selected casual dress flats for the women and Chuck Taylor’s for the men.
The next day, my contact and I pulled up to the Chief’s house, and soon after, the villagers were assembled. We all sat in the chief’s living room, and I was able to say a few words about the Race and our heart to bless and serve them with Christ’s love.
Then, as so often happens in moments of bliss and impact, time transitioned into slow motion as I took in the scene.
Villagers started beaming excitedly as we distributed the shoes. I’ll never forget the look on these people’s faces.
“Red is my favorite color!” Exclaimed one man, after unlacing his brand new Chuck’s.
One woman was beside herself with anticipation as she unwrapped her shoes. Once on, she triumphantly paraded around the living room, laughing joyously the entire time. Then, she took them off and put them back in the plastic wrapping from which they came, and muttered something in her language to the chief. He translated and told me, “She’s going to keep them wrapped up and wait for Christmas to open them. She won’t have a Christmas present so she’s going to wait to wear them until then.”
Just then, a young man on my left, who was collecting the shoes for his mother, who was at work, commented, “My mother has never had a pair of shoes. She has done her best to provide for me, and will be so excited to have these.”
Upon engaging in conversations, taking a few photos, and downing some chai tea, the villagers dispersed, leaving just the Chief, my contact, and myself.
The Chief smiled and said, “When I went to their homes to ask what size shoe they wore, no one knew. They had never had a pair, or one at their disposal to measure with.” Kenny told me how he used his fingers to come to a rough estimate,
I sat, astounded and speechless, fully grasping the gravity of what had just occurred.
I think praying over patients at these villages is the coolest thing. Playing soccer with locals, taking pictures with toddlers, it’s all awesome. But if I see a need, and can physically meet it in the short time I’m living in the country, and yet, ignore it, I don’t think that other stuff means as much.
I wanted to do the Race to make a difference in lives. I’ve been immensely blessed and I delight in blessing others in turn. I strive to leave my mark on this world by impacting lives with love, and inspiring others to do the same.
I don’t think love is about changing people. I think it’s about meeting them where they are, and then doing something to display that love, regardless of social class or religion. Everyone deserves to feel loved, and sometimes, that can be as simple as a pair of shoes.
I’m blessed to be in the position to take initiative to bless and love others. I’m eternally grateful to my supporters for their role in helping me get here. As we transition to Nepal, I want to continue meeting needs as we encounter our next wave of people on this adventure.
Thank you for all your love and support. Your benevolence has paved the way for stories like this. I can’t thank you enough and I’m honored to have you on this journey with me.
Adventure on!
Alex
