I wrote this next blog a couple weeks ago but somehow I didn’t post it. 

 

One week ago I had an accident while we were rafting and I dislocated my toe. The process has been tough. Crutches, pain, meds, long and painful ice sessions. Not being able to walk or go upstairs/downstairs and instead have to being carried by someone in my team. Don’t get me wrong I really appreciate it but it’s hard to not even be able to go and get a cup of hot chocolate by myself. Even thinking about showers because this week we had bucket showers…

 

So that being said it has been an eye opener for me. In the name of Jesus I will heal soon, but the story that I’m going to tell you is different. His life is like that now and probably for the rest of his life. 

 

This is Graciano’s story: 

 

(Lima, Peru)

 

 

Graciano’s life was completely changed after that. The bullet entered his back and spine – all the way up through almost his chest and close to the heart. It’s a miracle that he is alive!  He tried to stand up but he couldn’t. His legs didn’t respond, they didn’t move at all. All he could see was the blood and people gathering around him asking him to not fall sleep and try to not move. A lot of questions with no answers.  While he tried to find an explanation of what happened he was fighting for his life. Not knowing that one day he will regret fighting and that he would rather in his had died than to suffer in the pain that was to come… But He still had to do it. He needed to fight! For his son, for his life. 

 

30 years later here we are sitting on his couch trying to contain the tears while we are hearing the story of his life. He said so many times during the recovery process he thought about committing suicide but because of his son he didn’t. He said since 30 years ago he is condemned to a wheelchair for life. It was a hard process, he couldn’t continue with the same job at work but they offered him a different one. He didn’t have the same salary so he will go in his wheelchair from his house to work everyday back and fourth instead of taking a bus or taxi because he needed to save the money to sustain his son. 

 

He couldn’t do what he was used to. But he had to learn how to live with it. Now He knows about Jesus and his endless love. Now he sees life in a different way and he is so thankful that he is alive. Things completely changed but he knows his God never change and when we trust him we don’t have to understand. What a life lesson he has taught me. 

 

The best part is that the day I met him was a day we were going to give him a new wheelchair. We were working with the project at a church where we were working with Camino de Vida. They give free wheelchairs to people who really need it. And the best part of this ministry is that they do a follow up. More than just a wheelchair, they bring Jesus to every family they give a wheelchair. And even more incredible, if something happens to the wheelchair in next couple years they will replace it for free too so they don’t have to beg for a new one or even a used one.

 

Thank you Graciano! You have changed my life.! You will always be in my prayers and thoughts. Hope you are enjoying of your new wheelchair 🙂 

 

This blog is dedicated to all of those who have a disability. You are not alone! God is there with you. The God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not. The one who has power to do what he has promised. He is breaking new ground and he will bring new life out of you. 

And if you are reading this and you don’t have a physical disability i would like to encourage you to take a moment and think about those who have one and have been through a hard time in their lives. I want to encourage you to thank God for what you have. And also to be a light for those in need and break all those spiritual disabilities that are not allowing you to see his goodness. I would like to encourage you to pray for those in hospitals, in streets, for those who are suffering.