Wheelchair Distribution
Today is always a wonderful day. It’s when our team has the opportunity to help fit disabled men, women and children with wheelchairs, canes, crutches and walkers. Bethel Ministries International is primarily a wheelchair ministry. While they build houses, install stoves and help in education, their main passion is helping the disabled.
The reality of life for most disabled is that they are hidden away and treated as less than they should be. Life is hard in Guatemala anyway, but being disabled puts you completely off the social radar. The roads are difficult for the average person, image being in a wheelchair trying to navigate dirt, rocks and hills.
A Full day
We had to drive about 1.5 hours to Chichicastenango. It was a beautiful drive, getting to go past Lake Atitlan. Once we arrived, we had to unload and set up all the chairs. Several people on the team had never fitted someone for a wheelchair. Emily took the time to help all of us ensure we knew how to fit someone and modify the chair when necessary. And, it was necessary a lot.
Bethel already has a profile of each person who is receiving a chair. But, all bodies are different, so for most chairs, some modifications were necessary. Bethel has all the tools set up at stations where we worked with the people.
The first step is to find the correct width chair. You don’t want it being too big, and certainly not tight while sitting. The hardest part came next as we needed to adjust the footrests for their feet. This turns out to be very difficult. Because many of them did not have long legs, we had to cut down to size the footrests. Many adjustments, cuts, remeasure, etc. Then we needed to put a seat belt on the chair. Many of the roads can cause the person to be thrown out of the chair. Then, if needed, we put a leg strap to keep their legs from falling through.
Sleeping in the dirt
My favorite person today was a woman named Isabell. She is 82 years old and lives all alone. She has no family and cannot walk. She is fortunate enough to receive some government assistance to pay for her rent. But, everything else must be provided by generous neighbors. She does not have a bed, and sleeps on the dirt floor each night. Imagine your sweet grandmother having to crawl on the floor and find a place to lay her head in the dirt. She had the sweetest spirit and a smile on her face. She didn’t ask for anything, but I couldn’t help but offer some assistance. Some of our good friends from Louisville gave me some money to give to someone special. The minute I met Isabell, I knew this was the one. Bethel is going to coordinate Isabell getting a bed. I know there is so much she needs, but this is a good start.
A successful Day
Forty-four people received a wheelchair today. That does not count all of the walkers, canes and crutches given away. Three people gave their lives to Christ. Everyone’s lives were changed…including mine.
How you can help
Bethel is running very low on wheelchairs and clothing. If you know someone who works at a hospital or nursing care center, please let me know. I have a trailer and will gladly drive where necessary. The disabled in Guatemala need your help. Together, we can help change lives.
Dave’s Poem
Sometimes things
Don’t work out right
Sometimes things
Aren’t a perfect fit
You should spend a day sometime with An imperfect body
Of humble souls
Work out a hundred
Technical details
To size and fit
The human condition
To wheels in motion
Wheelchairs can be
Like our flesh and bones
The pieces sometimes
Don’t fit in just right
But if you take a leap of faith
With your heart
You just mind find
In Christ’s able arms
You can adapt and overcome
I wonder on the side
Of the resurrection
What was the story
Of the ones who
Who rolled away the stone
Today I wonder
What is the story
Of the ones
Who rolled away those wheelchairs
Carrying hope
And restoration
To new frontiers
Poem #2
For us
Mobility pay the bills
For some humble
Is a house
With no frills
Thunder brings
Rain
Thunder brings
Renewal
But when your life
Your existence
Hovers two inches
Above dirt and land
Thunder brings
Cold wet and calamity
Guatemalans are perfect situated
For epic sunsets
And panoramic views
Of God’s awesome glory
But many are million miles
From a perfect situation
Walk into a house
With no floor
Listen to their stories
Until only your tears
Can take anymore
Then take the the journey back
With Anna
Francisco
To homes 5 hours further away
Than my mind’s eye
And your heart can imagine
When you live two inches above
The dirt
Your tears don’t have that far to fall
Jesus you are the greatest of us
Teach us every day
To love your children
Even the ones
With the least of all