As you read this I am in Chicago for The Global Leadership Conference. The teen trip has come to an end. Lives were impacted. More then I dare even guess. Teenagers saying that they never realize how good they have it. As they left for the airport I urged them to think of the stories and faces. Not to get home and fall back to comfort and forget.
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| I asked myself "who is this mighty little wonder?" |
The thing that sticks in my heart is the Lieu, the "little" 27 year-old who came to receive here wheelchair. When I first met her I looked in wonder, asking who is this mighty young lady and what makes her tick. Her poor body "folded" into little more then a box. Please forgive me, I do not mean to be disrespectful in any way. Truth is I feel the opposite. I have total respect and want to honor her as a one of my hero's.
I often have said that the biggest poverty I see in Vietnam is a lack of hope. Yet this young lady had hope! In fact she was almost cocky in her attitude. When we asked; how will you get home. She said; "if my mother was here she'd help but she's at the hospital. But now with this wheelchair I can take myself home!" We even told her we'd find someone to help but she quickly replied "don't worry about me I'm fine!"
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| Still has hope and reason to live |
I so often say that the young generation has no heart but perhaps it is different things that make their hearts beat. A passion for life that maybe different from mine? The families we met at the heart meeting. For the first time I said no to all. Now before you begin the rock throwing and email blasts allow me to explain. None had test recently and I am unable to designate funds if they are unable to have surgery. Once designated, I consider them spent and what if emergency cases come along. I did get news they have all been approved for surgery in the next 2-3 weeks and yes gibtk will fund them!
Or the families we visited for building compassion homes. I snivel when my air-conditioning is not working properly much less is my home would not keep weather out...
Or my little Lieu, folded into a box and yet a passion to live. My problems seem so insignificant. I need to thank the Free Wheelchair mission team once again. Thanks to a new program they launched giving us containers of medical equipment, which we in turn give to hospitals. Who will then provide free or discounted surgery and treatments.
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| This surgeon can straighten her arms to begin with and then maybe her legs to..!!!! |
Thanks to the "gift in kind program" (GIK) part of the agreement is the hospitals send out surgeons and doctors. We have found kids coming for colds but in fact need heart surgery. Others coming for wheelchairs, but surgery can correct. And on this trip the surgeon was very familiar with Lieu's condition and after checking her out asked if she'd like her arms straightened she said YES!!! He told us the legs maybe more difficult but he can straighten her arms and she will be able to wash her own hair! (She kept it short so it was easier to take care of.)
So maybe this thing called hope can be contagious? Lieu has given me a new insight to hope. I see GIBTK as "Hope Peddlers"
Before I turn this letter over to one of our teens I like to remind you our annual Gala is Nov. 5th. I "hope" you can come. If not please consider donating, every little bit helps us. The Gala is a large part of our budget. Can be done safely at www.gibtk.org
Here's a note from Katie Verstraete, 18
"It's early morning when our group takes a short ride back into the countryside to build wheelchairs for recipients we knew nothing about. As we approached the recipient's home several thoughts and questions came to mind. What will their story be? What will their reaction be once receiving their wheelchair?"
"Our group crowded into a small room where a woman by the name of Lan sat upright in her bed. Her family was scattered throughout the home watching eagerly of what was to come. The interview began and we learned of her story. She is seventy-six, single, and had moved to Danang to find work."
"Lan explains to us that after having surgery in 1976 to remove a tumor in her spinal column she became very weak and unable to walk. Lan has been living with her loving sister who asked her to move in with five years ago as Lan was no longer able to care for herself. It wasn't until this past year that she became unable to walk."
"She tells us that she has minimal pain but finds herself missing out on many things. To my surprise, again, it's the "small" things we take for granted everyday that she misses. From being outside to going to the bathroom without help and simply having independence."
"The family gathers closer and we meet her older sister. It's impossible to ignore the excitement she has to no longer rely so heavily on those around her and her families' excitement for her. Just a few days prior the whole family learned Lan would be receiving a wheelchair and one the young kids explained enthusiastically how she's going to push her great aunt around their home."
"As the interview came to an end the rest of the group was finishing the wheelchair and it was time for Lan to test it out. Once lifted into the chair she was wheeled outside onto their patio where she became insistent on pushing herself without help!"
"It's truly incredible to see such prominent strength from Lan, her family members, and all of the Vietnamese people. I am more than humbled to see how with this wheelchair comes the gift of mobility and independence opening a new chapter of life to such an incredible person and her family."
><((((º> BBlessed
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