It was our second day back in the village after furlough. Many people had come to greet us and tell us how happy they were that we were back, and now I was anxious to start getting the house in running order.

“Daddy!” Amber called. “There’s a man here in a truck.”

I groaned inwardly knowing that my to-do list would have to wait. Slowly, I descended the stairs, praying for God’s wisdom, love and grace to empathize with this man and understand the need he was likely here to tell me about. I glanced at his truck. He can’t be that bad off if he has a vehicle, I thought. Then I saw him hobbling around the corner of the truck, leaning heavily on his wife and walking with extreme difficulty.

We introduced ourselves, and I learned that his name was Vita. Taking a seat in one of our chairs, he began to share his story. “I used to live in America,” he said in very clear English. “I drove a truck for many years. I have been in most of the 50 states, not including Alaska and Hawaii. But you can see, I have this problem.” He gestured toward his limp arm and leg. “I’m in bad shape. I moved here about six years ago because I got lonely in America after my kids grew up and my first wife died. I was thinking that I could make a go of it here. But my business went bad, and I lost everything. Now I’m selling ice cream just to live. I know I’m not healthy, and my wife isn’t either. I want to make sure my little girls can make it. Can you help me? My brother loaned me this truck because I can’t drive a motorbike. I’m sorry I haven’t brushed my teeth. Can you help me get to the Christian hospital? It is my only hope.”
“May I pray for you?” I felt impressed to ask.

“Sure,” he said. “I don’t believe in all that Buddhist stuff anyway. When I was in America I went to church.” So we bowed our heads and prayed.

“Thank you,” he said after I ended the prayer. “You know, the church I went to in the States was a Seventh-day Adventist church. Do you have a church here? I want my wife and daughters to learn about Jesus, too. They don’t know God yet.” I promised to visit Vita at his house soon. He lives in a village about 40 minutes away.

A few days later I went to see him and helped him get some medical attention. Now that his physical health has improved, we look forward to meeting with his family and helping with their spiritual needs as well.

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