Do you remember Manwana -- the young boy we wrote about two months ago? I returned to his village this weekend where we have been working to improve health conditions by supporting rural dispensaries, ensuring potable water sources, and training personnel. Of course, I took the opportunity to visit Manwana and his mother to fulfill a promise made to this 11-year old boy several months back … to find him a wheelchair.

It’s not every day I get to play Santa Claus … but this indeed was one such day. I could never aptly describe the expression on his face when I pulled up next to his hut and offloaded a shiny and sturdy wheelchair with wheels and suspension adapted to this sandy environment. It was secured by the American Baptist Men of Indiana and sent overseas by White Cross. I also brought along a new set of clothes sent by a 12-year old boy from Maine, and funds from a retired pastor and wife to enable Manwana to go to school. If there exists an adjective to describe in one word: surprised, excited, ecstatic, thrilled, overwhelmed, and just plain full of joy … that was the look on his face!

On my way back to Kinshasa near the end of our week-long trip, I passed by his village again to see how he was getting along. His response surprised me.

I saw him at the far end of his village quite a bit down the road from his home and surrounded by a group of children; likely a part of the village he had never been before. The presence of a wheelchair may have seemed like a miracle for Manwana …….but it was a spectacular event for every young boy and girl in the village who had never touched a bicycle. Every child in the village wanted to push Manwana along….and in fact they called his wheelchair “notre velo” (our bike). I found him in the midst of a group of boys and girls his age, full of delight and joy. Several days ago no one wanted to be near him…now he was the center of attention. “How do you feel?” I asked him. “Clean” he said… “Doctor, I feel really clean”.

As I got back in the jeep I mentioned to an African friend who was travelling with me that perhaps I should have bought him more clothes if ‘clean’ was so important to him. Dr Ngoma chucked. “He was speaking of his hands being clean, not his clothes”, my colleague explained to me.

Manwana has spent his entire life using his hands as feet, pulling and dragging his lame body behind on the ground. Every day for Manwana to be outside meant that his hands would be constantly in the dirt ….and his face and body inches from the ground. But now he is out of the dirt and eye-to-eye with his peers. His hands which were as calloused and thick as the soles of our feet…are now being prepared for nobler tasks…..reading, writing, learning, touching … and perhaps one day healing and sharing.

Doctor he said … I feel really clean!

Thank you for your support and your prayers … so we may let others know of one who makes us all … ‘truly clean’.

Bill and Ann Clemmer

International Ministries

clemmer@congokin.org

“And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up.” (James 5:15)