Day 3 Blog: Strength in Unity
Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NRSV)
“Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up the other; but woe to the one who is alone and falls and does not have another to help.”
Inspiring Quote:
“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” — Helen Keller
Whew! Today our team proved Helen was correcto (that’s español for correct – I’m so bilingual! — not-o!) — “Together we can do so much.” And today we did! The doctors saw everything from hernias to tonsils, backaches to carpal tunnel, from gunshots to motorcycle accidents. They referred surgeries for tonsillectomies, hysterectomies, lumpectomies, fixerupsomeknees, and more. There were so many patients we had to stay an hour later. (Fun fact: Dr. David Chenault loves seeing the maximum number of patients possible, because that is why we are here!)
In the mobility clinic we saw many families forced to lift up and carry their loved ones wherever they went. Let me share one story about Josue who is 16 years old. He lives in a rural village where the roads are unpaved. Josue has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy. He can stand on his right foot but cannot walk. When he was 8 years old, he used a pediatric wheelchair, which he continued using until he outgrew it at age 14. Since then, his mother has had to carry him everywhere. Josue weighs 150 pounds which is a physical strain for his mother. John and I were putting a wheelchair together when we heard some screaming coming from somewhere in our mobility clinic. Turns out, it wasn’t someone screaming in pain, it was Josue hollering with joy. We spotted Josue and his family laughing out loud with everyone wearing huge smiles. Today Josue received a sturdy, foldable, and comfortable wheelchair. Now when his mom lifts him up, she can lovingly place him in a safe wheelchair so they can get around in life together. Receiving a wheelchair is life-transforming for the entire family. Definitely there will be more laughter for Josue and his family in the future—that is a great reward for our work!!
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for the people You have placed in my life. Help me to be a source of encouragement and strength to others. Amen.
Best,
Rev. Paul Nazarian
Team Blogger
