Today is the fourth and final day of the clinic, and it has been a tiring but deeply satisfying experience.
It has become very clear through our work distributing wheelchairs (or other mobility aids, when needed) that what we do has both a physical and a spiritual dimension.
At the clinic, our amazing PTs and OTs fit each recipient with a wheelchair, lifting them up, sometimes literally, from the ground and giving them new freedom and dignity. It’s inspiring to see how happy people are to receive them.
This is the physical component of what we do. But just as important is the spiritual element. After they receive their wheelchair, we want to emphasize God’s love for them. I’ve had the privilege of talking and praying with the recipients at that point. Free Wheelchair Mission provides a short message telling each person that God loves them and that this wheelchair is a gift made possible by His love.
This often becomes an emotional moment. Some recipients are moved to tears. Some clasp their hands together and lift them in thanks. Some point upward to God. In some cases, they’ve even prayed for all of us. The reactions vary, but most are strong and heartfelt.
Some of the recipients seem to have a deep faith, yet I imagine it would be only human, especially in difficult circumstances, to sometimes question God’s love. So the wheelchair can be a tangible reminder that He has not forgotten them.
After we speak about God’s love, I ask if I may pray for them. I always end the prayer by asking that the wheelchair be a daily reminder of God’s love, and that they in turn will pass that love along to others.
As this clinic comes to a close, I know I can speak for all of us when I say it has been a great blessing, not just for the patients, but for us as well. We thank God for the opportunity to serve our brothers and sisters in Christ.
