So far, one of the most beautiful gifts that I have been given is the opportunity to watch our contact, Emmanuel, minister to the people of Las Charcas. On a typical day of ministry, we follow him door to door as we share the gospel, pray for the sick and simply visit the people of this village community. Each gathering brings perspective and insight as Emmanuel leads by example in loving the people of his hometown.
Our pastor, Emmanuel (red shirt), with his wife and local children.
Another new friend/translator is Juan Carlos (pretending to be a horse).
Team Relentless: Abby, Austin, Molly, Ty, Johhfrank and Janelle
While most of these visits are productive and life giving, the encounter that caught me off guard occurred on the day team Relentless entered Raphael’s dirt floor shack:
The smell of urine was overwhelming as we entered the small house and found a man paralyzed from the waist down. He was curled on a little bed with the tiniest arms and legs I have ever seen on a man. His pants and bed sheets were stained, and flies were buzzing around him. The sight stunned us at first, but we quickly recovered and began asking about his life and salvation.
His paralysis was caused by a car accident, and his perception of time told him that he had been in bed for three years. Thirteen was the reality. Thirteen years. Paralyzed and confined to one room.
The entire experience was equally devastating and appalling. I couldn’t wrap my mind around the reality of this man’s existence. He continued to tell us that he lived in peace and believed in Jesus Christ, his Savior. While I was thinking that constant cries and complaints from this man would be more than justified, his only appeal was for orange soda. That was seriously his single request. He really wanted orange soda.
As we searched for the most uplifting words to share, Emmanuel sent his son to buy soda and then suggested that we turn our Bibles to Matthew 25:40.
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’”
All of a sudden, we were the ones being ministered to. We read more from this passage in Matthew, the story of the sheep and the goats, as we continued to just be with Raphael. He kept asking that we stay, so we stayed. We prayed. We soaked up the affirmation from Emmanuel as we read, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat . . . I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” Matthew 25:34-36
When the orange soda was delivered, we watched as Emmanuel poured the delicacy into a pinto-bean-can-turned-cup. Raphael could only muster the energy to take a tiny sip, but he was thankful for the drink as well as the fellowship.
We prayed for healing and peace before we left, and sadness overwhelmed my spirit. I have been blessed with abundantly more than I deserve. This man, this son, cannot walk, has little family and thinks that he has been in bed for three years instead of thirteen in truth. Thirteen years.
So many of my friends and family have told me that it takes major courage to go on The World Race. As we were leaving Raphael, I did not feel courageous. I felt small and helpless and thankful for the people who have given their lives to serve the sick. My brother-in-law, Eric, daily cares for least of these in the emergency room. Two of my best friends, Lindsey and Courtney, work as nurses around the clock to provide care and comfort to sick patients.
To you all, I pass on Emmanuel’s encouragement. Thank you for living a life of love through service.
Typical views from our days of ministry.
