His name is Deione.
He lives at a home for intellectually disabled adults called Alta Du Toit.
My first day there, I met him and spoke to him for fifteen seconds, and then he ran away. Any interaction with him that day never lasted longer than fifteen seconds, before he would run away. Out of the eight hours of being at Alta Du Toit my first day, I engaged with Deione for less than the total sum of one minute. To be honest, I didn’t even really remember Deione that much.
The next day that we had planned to go to Alta Du Toit, I was sick and was not able to go. After others returned, they informed me that Deione kept asking where I was, and that he really missed me, and that he loved me.
What? You mean to tell me that after less than a minute of interaction, I made an impact on this young man’s life?
The next day that I was able to go to Alta Du Toit, I get there excited to start the day, but especially to see Deione. The room that we spend the entire day in is the size of a warehouse, and there are people in and around the outside of the room. I can’t find Deione. I’m enjoying saying hello to all the people, and enjoying the jocular, but sincere questions asking if I have ever met Justin Bieber, and if I could take them to his house. It was going to be a fine day, but then it happened.
Across the other end of the room, I see Deione running across the room, with the biggest smile on his face, shouting my name and waving at me with such dedication. The embrace almost knocked me to the ground, but for scoring a zero on Physical Touch, I had never been so excited to receive a hug. Then, a few seconds later, he was gone. This would happen throughout the day about five more times.
The last day at Alta Du Toit, something miraculous happened. I spent much longer than fifteen seconds with Deione. In fact, I spent almost an entire lunch break with him. We couldn’t really communicate, but he would just sit there, looking at me, and smiling and laughing. Normally, this would be really awkward and strange, but all I could think about was how pure this young man’s joy was. He was so happy. No care in the world.
…”let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16
Never question the ability of God to use you in any situation. Never underestimate the impact that you can have on the lives of others, whether you have known them your whole life, or if you have just known them for a few days.
Even Fifteen Seconds.
Me and Deione. Photo by Marina Razumovsky
