Let me introduce you to Esther and
Chalis. This is a couple we met while evangelizing. John and Tash met
them first and led Esther to the Lord. The next day I went out with
John to give Esther a Bible. Chalis is blind and also has a problem
with his leg making it difficult to walk. After their first meeting,
John and Tash prayed for him, and that same day he received papers
from the Kenya government to apply for disability. He had been
waiting for awhile to receive that. He needed to fill out some
paperwork, submit two passport photos and pay 500 Kenya shillings
(about $6.50) for the application. Esther and Chalis live on Esther’s
small business of selling food. They live in a tiny room with walls
made of mud and sticks. So, the money for the application process
would be difficult. We told them we could help out.
John took a photo of Chalis and went to
town that afternoon to print his passport photos. We went back the
next day with those as well as the money they needed for the
application process. Chalis had a neighbor help him fill out the
paperwork. When we gave them the money and photos, they were so
grateful. They would have to go to town to submit the application. We
asked if they had money for the transport needed to get into town.
They didn’t, so we gave them another 120 shillings for transport.
Again, they were so grateful. We
visited more with them. While talking more with Chalis, we began to
realize he knew Jesus in his mind but not with his heart. He had told
the others earlier that he was a Christian, but after talking more
about it, we realized he didn’t really have a relationship with
Christ. So, we began to share some scriptures with him and explain
more about being a Christian. He listened intently and then decided
he wanted Jesus in his life too.
We prayed with him and he invited Jesus
into his heart. It was a wonderful moment. After praying he pointed
to our translator Phyllis and said he could see something white she
was holding. She had a white handkerchief in her hand. God was
opening his eyes! He still couldn’t see much, but that was probably
the most he’s seen since he’s been blind. We praised the Lord
together and asked for continued healing for his vision. We told him
even if God didn’t fully restore his vision, he would see perfectly
when in heaven some day.
A week later (today), we visited Esther
and Chalis again. They turned in the disability forms. It will be
about a three-month waiting process before it will be approved. We
are praying for the process to go quickly so he can receive support.
Chalis said his vision is slowly improving. He still can’t see much,
but I believe God is continuing to work in his life, both physically
and spiritually.
