Street Stories - A Ringside Seat To Over 4 Decades Of Taking Jesus To The Streets Of The World

leprosy, many of the people there had turned their artistic hobbies into ways to bring in income.

Some painted, some did wood sculptures and other did various artisan endeavors that they sold outside the community to help provide their livelihood. As I walked up to an elderly gentleman whose body was being ravaged by leprosy, I held out my hand to him waiting for his handshake. He hesitated and glanced at me with a puzzled look. I noticed one of his ears had been eaten away. His eyes were sunken in and had very dark circles around them. I also noticed the fingers on his hands were deteriorated down to his knuckles. I forced my hand of greeting forward again and he slowly reached out and shook my hand. As I shook the man’s hand I told him, along with others who had crowded around, “We have come from America to tell you that Jesus Loves You.” I continued, “We have come from half-way around the world to let you know God has not forgotten about you.” A group of us gathered and prayed. Pastor Steve led in prayer. Then to my shock and surprise, the elderly man stricken with leprosy lifted what was left of his hands toward heaven and in his native Bahasa Indonesian language, began to beseech the Lord. I thought he was probably afraid for me to touch him. He was concerned for me.

He prayed for our team. He prayed for our mission to Padang Pariaman. He passionately blessed the Lord. I

172

Made with FlippingBook Digital Publishing Software