Manuel

Jul 31, 2008

From our Missions Trip to Reynosa, Mexico:

We went to tarp a rooftop of a poor family with three children. The middle child was lying on the inside of a dirt floor, no clothes, except for a t-shirt. He was lying on his back with what seemed like severe autism. I told Paul we need to pray for him. 10 minutes later I looked outside, and there he was sitting on a chair with what seemed to be Terret's Syndrome. I looked away. I was still tarping the roof. I looked back and now he was on the ground, in the middle of our walking path. I went over and picked him up and sat him on the chair and began to talk with him. His name, I found out from his mother, sitting nearby, was Manuel. Manuel was blind. His mother was looking on. He was reaching out for something different or new. He was trying to pry the pocket knife out of my hand. I grabbed his hands. He felt my ring. ANILLO I said in spanish.

Then I drew his curled hands close to my face and he started to feel who I was. He got to my fuzz on my chin, and I said BARBA. The Lord was stirring me to pray with him and bring some joy. He continued to get to KNOW me by feeling my ANILLO and my BARBA. Bill Loeb was nearby and looked on stunned.

I think Bill saw a connection happening--especially as I interlocked my fingers with his, and then brought his arms up, then down, then to my barba and anillo. It wasn't but maybe 5 times of doing this 5 times that he began to crack a smile. By the 15th time, this boy was bringing forth the most authentic belly laugh. It was precious. The Spirit was thick. Suddenly there was shade all around us. I looked to see our roofing team of 7 guys standing around Manuel and I, taking in the moment.

Perhaps it was the first time ever or in a very long time this boy had laughed so hard for so long. I think the Lord did something in his life he will never forget--and though he lived in the farthest house in the colonia, he was not far nor isolated from God's loving arms. We prayed for the family and Manuel---then had to leave. If we go back near his home, I will visit him again

 

-cc

 

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