Here’s a gentleman who has been to our house a couple of times — looking for money for medical help.  He was in a motorcycle accident that damaged his leg.  I spared you the close up view, in which you can see clear to bone.  It was an obvious medical need so on his first visit I was glad to give him some money to help get it taken care of.

But nothing is as simple as that.  He came back early this month for more money.  The injured area is still in need of medical attention, and he was unable to produce any reciepts indicating appropriate use of the last money we gave him.  I hate to be cynical but one does wonder if he just “drank” the money and is now in need of more.  Just in case, our day guard gave him a stern lecture on the importance of staying away from alcohol and tobacco in order for the injury to heal properly.  He seemed sincere, and claimed to be a follower of Jesus, praising God for our assistance.

For what it’s worth, I gave him more money – the amount he said he needed for the next treatment.  And he’s to bring a reciept with him before I’ll give any more help.  But one also wonders whether he’s even getting quality health care.  Some medical facilities are more interested in how to separate the patient from his money than how to provide quality health care.  What I’d really prefer to do is send him to a mission hospital where there is at least one expat missionary doctor.  But at this point we just don’t have the contacts to make that happen.

Meanwhile, I prayed with him for complete healing.  And I encouraged him to rely on God alone to heal him – not to do sacrifices to, or pray to false gods or ancestors.  I think I gave him a one year daily devotional in French too.  And we trust God to do something in this man’s life  — to bring glory to the name of Jesus.  Would you pray for him too?  And please pray that if he comes again, the Lord will give me wisdom to deal with him in a way that honors the Lord and respects the man.