Today, along with two other guys from my squad, I was able to take Francis home after he ate some soup and got his wound cleaned by the nurse here at Pop Up.
I was busy working in the kitchen when the nurse came to tell me that Francis was outside the gate and had been out there all day. She had treated his wound and he was just waiting for the soup kitchen to begin. I immediately went to get him and bring him in. I couldn’t stand the thought of him just being out in the hot sun all day. So I brought Francis to the room we are staying in beside the kitchen and asked if he would like some soup and bread. He said yes and I got it for him. He began eating the bread as the soup was cooling. I fed him the soup and some water until he was full.
He was then ready to go home so I prepared him some soup and bread to take home for dinner. He refused the soup at first but I then insisted that we would carry it for him home along with a bottle of water. He was so thankful for everything. The smile on his face was evidence of his joyfulness.
We took turns pushing him in his wheel chair to his home. It was a good mile away and I couldn’t believe that he takes himself all that way every day. There is a big hill on the main road that he takes and I can’t imagine pulling myself up as Francis does.
We eventually arrived at the place which he lives. We got to this house and travelled up behind it into a gate. We went through the gate and there were suddenly shacks after shacks lined up as a maze. We went through twist and turns in the path until we reached his small one room shack which he shares with a friend. The friend unlocked the broke down metal door of which Francis wheelchair does not fit into. He then pulled himself out of his wheelchair into his home. I went in and sat his soup and other things inside and told him good bye and I would see him on Friday.
Francis was so thankful for every little thing that was done for him today. He had a big smile on his face the entire time I was with him. I got to know more about him today. He is from Zimbabwe and came here to work. He sells some chips and sweets.
I pray that he has friends that help take care of him and that do not take advantage of him. I pray that he knows God and that the light of Jesus shines through him for his neighbors and everyone that he comes in contact with to see.
Francis really could use a new wheelchair. His is old and worn out yet he makes due. I am working on finding out how much a new one would be. Hopefully we will be able to help him with that.
The compassion I have felt for Francis is the compassion that I want to always have for everyone. I don’t always have such but I know it’s possible.
Please continue to pray for Francis and all the others living in such poverty in this area. If you would like to help out in getting Francis a new wheelchair or anything else please let me know. My e-mail is [email protected] .
Thanks so much for continuing to follow my updates.
