It was late January 2023.
I was in Kilifi, a county in Kenya on the Indian Ocean.
A few months earlier, I would never have imagined that I would ever see the Indian Ocean.
Yet, here I am.
We were a few miles inland as our group was driven in a 7 passenger vehicle along dusty, country roads.
It was early afternoon.
I was en route to what is known as a “distribution.”
A “distribution” refers to an event of compassion and celebration, where leg disabled people are brought together, for each one to receive his or her Mobility Cart.
This was my first.
It was being held under a metal roofed, open walled building that seemed to be used as a marketplace of sorts.
I was excited.
I’ve seen many videos which have documented distributions both in Kenya and other countries. Sometimes as many as 75 people receive a Mobility Cart.
Here I am … part of an amazing event.
Today, 15 people would be raised from the dirt and given the gift of mobility.
The vehicle delivering the Mobility Carts arrived first. 15 Mobility Carts awaited the growing crowd of beneficiaries and their families.
There were 8 of us, Americans, joining the Kenyan staff of Partners for Care.
The staff was experienced in conducting distributions and proceeded to assign to each American a Kenyan beneficiary.
I was assigned to Dickson.
Together, we opened the shipping box and began the 15-minute process of assembling Dickson’s Mobility Cart.
In spite of his obvious physical disability, Dickson eagerly took part in the assembly of the device that would change his life forever.
Dickson used the wrenches to tighten the nuts and bolts which kept the seat in place. His disability did not extend to his mind, hands, or fingers. He was capable.
Soon, Dickson and all the beneficiaries of this afternoon’s distribution were seated on their assembled Mobility Carts for a group photo.
Dickson’s smile tells the story.
His happiness, seen in his face, reveals the gratitude of his heart for the works of kindness which made his new life possible.
As I worked with Dickson to assemble his ticket to opportunity, I represented each of you … the Mobility Worldwide supporters who made Dickson’s encounter with his destiny possible.
I thought of those who drilled the holes and deburred the sharp metal edges; those who built the parts and assembled the components into Mobility Carts; packed with loving care for safe delivery to the beneficiary; those who gave of their time, talents, money, and resources.
Dickson’s opportunity for a life could not have happened if not for you.
So what did I learn from Dickson?
I learned that poverty can be measured in terms of access to opportunities.
As a middle class citizen of the United States of America, I take for granted the opportunities I have had in my life.
As a leg disabled man in Kenya, Dickson had virtually no opportunities.
His only means of movement was crawling in the dirt.
No opportunities leave you assigned to the role of a life as a beggar.
Today, Dickson witnessed a miracle in his life.
Today, Dickson received the gift of opportunities!
His life was changed in an instant.
Now Dickson has mobility. He has the option to move about his community. He is enabled to engage in commerce, to experience dignity, and to provide transportation for life giving water to his family’s hut.
There are many others, who like Dickson, seek dignity in their lives. They simply desire an opportunity to participate, not a handout.
Because God created me, as well you, as His child and as a citizen of the United States of America, we have a unique opportunity.
We are positioned to give opportunities for the leg disabled to experience a real life. These people are arguably the poorest of the poor.
By giving people like Dickson, living in countries such as Kenya the life changing gift of mobility, we can share the love of Christ with others in a truly meaningful way.
God has given us endless opportunities to love our neighbors.
Let’s not miss one single opportunity to be a brother to those whom Christ calls His children.
Affluence used selfishly can be a curse, but it’s a blessing if invested in opportunities for those who have none.
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