A wheelchair for Rachel
A moving gift in more ways than one! Colin Bond reports with a story from his recent trip to Africa.

Rachel tells Rev. Steve her story

We (that's Rev Steve Adyeri, Rev Alan Hall, USA, and his wife Heather and myself, pastor Colin Bond) were walking along the street one hot dusty day in Fort Portal, Western Uganda when we saw this legless lady trying to cross the busy road. Have you ever imagined what it must be like to cross a road through traffic when you are only a metre high? Can the traffic see you? Can you see oncoming traffic? This lady was dragging herself across with leg stumps hidden in her dusty skirt.

Steve, a local pastor, spoke the language and asked her story. (See pic above.) A picture unfolded of a happy girl growing up in a pastor's family when tragedy struck. She stepped on a land mine. Both legs were blown off. Thirteen years old with life before her and now no legs. Recently she lost her parents so now has to get about as best she can. Imagine the bewildered unbelief when we asked if she would like a wheel chair!

Rachel with her new wheelchair and (l-r) Rev. Alan Hall, his wife Heather, and Pastor Colin Bond

Come with us, let's put one together." (Foolish statement from those inexperienced in wheel-chair assembly!) We offered to carry her up the steps. Years of independence brought refusal. How do you climb steps with no legs? She watched patiently as we took one hour, two hours assembling the wheel chair. Being pastors we took the liberty of stealing one from the supply stored by Evelyn of 'Outreach to Africa' trusting she would not prosecute us! (Check out the wonderful work Evelyn does for the poor on www.outreachtoafrica.org)

Rachel practices getting into her new set of wheels!

The bemused look on Rachel's face began to lift as things took shape until a big smile could not be repressed as realisation dawned - "It's for me!" Independence refused to let us lift her into the chair; with one stump on the chair, one on the ground, this pretty lady lay flat on the ground, a quick heave and 'bingo' - mobility! (See pic right)

Your interest, your support, your encouragement has brought a happy smile and a hope for the future to one lovely lady! Thank you!

A big smile of thanks!