notice where this man's shoes are?? He's been walking like this for a long time, I think!
This cute "mama" was all smiles when she got her chair! She had such a sweet attitude
Ok, so I admit it, I was having a bit of a pity party the last few days. I'm ashamed of myself, but I was doing it. This morning I have snapped out of it and I will show you why! ! See the man and woman above. they have great smiles, right?? Well the photo doesn't show the bottom half of their bodies which are deformed and shrunken. This morning the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints donated another 21 wheel-chairs to 21 handicapped persons here in Kinshasa. This is the second such morning that I have attended to watch people receive the life-giving gift of mobility. One of the things that has touched my heart very much is how many. many people here are physically impaired. Apparently some of them have withered or mishapen legs because well-meaning nurses have given injections improperly when they were babies. Many have incured injuries from the war. Some have been injured from accidents. It is heart-breaking to see so many who have difficulties. But most of them have found ways to continue with their lives and most have a great attitude and smile.
Below (or wherever it happens to pop up--I'm still a novice at this blogging thing) will be a few photos of some of the people as they made their way to receive their wheelchair. The routine that they have to go through to receive a wheelchair is that they come and request one from this
"Centre de handicappe". Their social service people interview them, then visit their homes to make sure that they can use a wheelchair in their homes and also to make sure that they won't just take the chair and sell it for profit, etc. After they pass that test, then the center chooses those to coordinate with the number of chairs that will be donated that time. The church is able to have a nice plaque on the back of each chair that it gives which says, "Gift of the Church of Jesus-Christ of Latter-day Saints". So the church is widely recognized as a charitable and giving church.
Ok, so the pictures are loading in ascending order, so you'll see the ones I wanted you to see last, first--but as the scriptures say, the first shall be last and the last shall be first....so you'll just have to figure it all out, because I'm not smart enough to figure out how to move them.
6 comments:
We don't care what order the pictures come. We are just greatful for them and for your service. I think we all need to take time to stop and count our blessings!! We love you and what you are doing.
Ed & Carole
That is so touching to see the people who receive the chairs - I certainly think your experiences have made a lot of us feel that we have NO complaints - or should have none. What a difference the chairs must make for these amazing people. Not only mobility but to be able to carry something as they go...
It was great to hear about the wheelchair project on the blog. Thanks so much for taking the time to post it and share some of you time with us. We are indeed blessed with great medical care and mostly healthy bodies. And you are right, we have no room to complain. It is a blessing for us to read about and share your mission. Keep up the good work you two. I know you are considered angels by these people!
President and Sister Livingstone:
My husband (Bruce Young) and I (Margaret Young) serve in the 46th branch of the Provo MTC. We have four missionaries currently in our branch who we will be sending to you. (I hope one is already there. He was having problems getting his visa.) I would love to check out your blog periodically so we can see what's happening on their missions. There was no contact information for you, so I'm just using this method. Could you e-mail me at Margaret_Young at BYU.edu ? I send love and greetings from Ned and Carolyn Hill and Bill and Sid Price. Darius Gray wondered if you had also presided over the Detroit mission.
THANK YOU!!
It's always amazing how people can smile in spite of adversity. Thank you so much for sharing this.
Wow, how wonderful to see such good things going on in your area, and your smiles say it all! It makes us all feel we need to be more grateful and more giving! We think you are both wonderful! Keep up the great work!
Cheryl & Mike
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