A Little Too Late

Well, I finally have a blog. I should've gotten one earlier, when I had things to write about. Tomorrow is our last work day. I guess I'll try to write as much as I can then!!! Today was an optional day. I still had some gifts to buy, so I stayed behind and walked around Kampala with Michelle. There is nothing significant about walking around down town, or spending money, but God has odd ways of showing his face, even in what seems to be the ordinary. We saw a lot of people begging on the roadside. They were so worn and broken. They didn't have the strength to even ask for money. They sat until someone would see them in their pity, and press a few shillings into their outstretched hands. Many of them were too twisted to sit up. They would never see or feel the joy of walking. When we went by, all I could do is feel sorry for them. I could never imagine living that sort of lifestyle. Would my loved ones put me out to beg each day because I was too much of an eyesore? Too expensive? Too hard to take care of? Too sad to look at? Of course not. They would want me to be better. They would love on me. Had any of those people ever felt love ever before? It wasn't until later that I thought of a bible story that relates to what I experienced today exactly. It's the story of Bartimaeus, found in
Mark 10:46-52. Here it goes:

46Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a
large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus was sitting by
the roadside begging. 47When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he
began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" 48Many
rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of
David, have mercy on me!" 49Jesus stopped and said "Call him." So they
called to the blind man, "Cheer up! On your feet! He's calling to you."
50Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.
51"What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him. The blind man said
"Rabbi, I want to see." 52"Go." said Jesus, "your faith has healed you."
Immediately he recieved his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

Wow. What an amazing experience for Bartimaeus (Let's just call him Bart). Can you imagine what it was like? Put yourself in his sandals for just a minute. You had heard that this Jesus guy had performed some major miracles. He raised people from the dead, turned water into wine, taught the lame to walk. Surely he would be able to heal your own eyesight. You can't believe it when you hear that he is walking your way. You yell "Jesus! Son of Nazareth! Come and heal me!" Others surrounding you are embarrassed. They know that Jesus doesn't need to deal with such petty things. They think that the rich and important take first priority. You scream even louder. No one is going to keep you from Jesus. Suddenly, you hear his voice. You stretch out your hands to him, running your hands over his face, memorizing every detail with your fingertips. You tell him that you want to see more than anything in the world. Instantly, a bright light fills your eyes. You blink into the sunlight, and suddenly his face comes into focus. Jesus is the very first thing that you see. "Because of your faith, you have been healed." he says. Do you mumble a thank you and then trudge on home? NO!!! You jump up and shout "Hallejluiah!" Then you do a dance because you are so happy. What a beautiful blessing!!!

I hope that by now you kind of grasp what I'm getting at. The people I saw in downtown Kampala are all, in some way, Bart. They are hurt and broken and they have no hope. The story of Bart was special to me, because despite the fact that the story occured over two thousand years ago, the same sort of broken people are still needing the same savior.

Thank you to all who chose to read my entire ramble. It took me a while to sort my thoughts out into words, so I really hope ya'll enjoyed it.