STORY #2
A few weeks after I got home from Africa I volunteered for a week at a Young Life Capernaum camp. A camp dedicated to kids and young adults with disabilities. This week was one of the greatest privileges of my life (although I did not know this going into it).
Before this week, I had never really had anything to do with people who had disabilities or special needs. I just didn’t know how to relate or what to say. Of course, I would never be ugly or make fun, and I try not to stare, but be their friend?! Uh, that might be asking too much.
But what I learned this week was that you CAN laugh with them and you CAN talk to them just like normal. They want to be accepted and loved just like me, just as they are.
I was struck by the similarities of Africa and Young Life camp:
- Both places were full of uncomfortable situations.
- Both places were full of language barriers.
- Both places give the BEST hugs and have the most GENUINE smiles. Because both places have the same core desire that I do, our life experiences may offer us different perspectives, but deep down our desire to dream, be loved, have friends, experience triumphs and hurts – IT’S THE SAME.
And God started to shake the comfort out of me. I met a girl named Koren.
She is trapped in her body. Her central nervous system just doesn’t work. By all intensive purposes, it appears like nobody is home. But somebody is at home. She’s absolutely brilliant and so desperately wants to be treated with respect. I spent some time with her one afternoon and afterwards had to go for what I like to call a “cry walk” with God begging for forgiveness for how I have ignored or been too uncomfortable to care.
Even the time that I spent with her I had to force myself to stay. All of her body language said, “Get away from me.” But I had to trust that what she had TYPED was true. That she desired to hug me and respond well but her body didn’t allow it. I had to force myself to talk to her like a 29 year old and not a baby. I had to force myself to simply sit and be with her. And I’m so glad I did.
I interviewed her so that you guys could meet her. I hope you enjoy and soak in what she has to say.
Jesus tells us – “Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Well, doesn’t that make SO much sense!!!
Pavis and Koren have FOUND LIFE in the midst of what many might perceive as LOST LIFE.
Meeting Pavis and Koren gave me perspective. It might seem like God has allowed some really bad things to happen in their lives, but I’m encouraged and in awe of how they have responded despite what’s in front of them.
Neither of them said, “Oh, it’s been so great!!!” or “I’ve NEVER been mad at or questioned God.” They just love Him. And are continuing to simply wake up each morning and live for Him.
I’m not saying that Koren or I or Revolve have the right answer but it helps to get some perspective that I hope pushes us closer to wanting to engage with God. To not stop asking the hard questions. To keep wrestling with Him.
We won’t ever be able to have all the answers but my hope is that we scoot a little closer to trusting Him with our lives.
STORY #3
And just to finish strong – the day after I got back from camp – I fell down the stairs and here I still sit nursing my swollen ankle that won’t heal because I won’t stay off of it.
