Wow, what a day, today was medical again. But we didn't go to a colony. That will be tomorrow. Instead, we took five boys, and five leprosy patients to the hospital to receive treatment that the clinic here can't provide. I was lucky enough to get to take care of Joseph. He is sixteen, and in 10th Standard. He is in Life Dance, and we had already connected as we talked about dance. He wants to learn to tap. We've talked about Singin' in the Rain and Step Up. He lights up whenever he talks about dance. Love him!
We talked about life. As I said before, last week's Prayer Time was on self-esteem. This week it is on humility. He said he was confused. Last week you told me to be proud. This week you are telling me to be humble. It doesn't make sense. So I told him that a good self-esteem wasn't about pride, but about knowing who you are, what your gifts are, being grateful for them, and choosing to develop and share those. I asked, what if someone came up to you and told you were a very good dancer, and you said, no I'm not. Do you think that's humility? He said that he did this all the time. I told him that it was alright to just say thank you. And to be grateful that God blessed him with such a beautiful gift, and teachers to help him develop and share that gift. We talked about being honest in our assessment of ourselves, but also giving credit to those who helped get us there. I told him that a prideful person would say, I know I'm a good dancer, and I'm a lot better than you! But a humble person would simply say thank you. He thanked me and said he had this question and was so confused, but that now he had the answer. Such a string and peaceful person. He is the president of Life Dance. He was voted in, but he was hesitant to take the position, because he had been president last year. Vicky, the Life Dance director told him he didn't have to do it if he didn't want to. But he decided that if that's what they wanted, he would do it. I pointed out that he was a humble leader. He said, no I am not humble. I said, only a humble person would say they weren't humble. He just smiled and shook his head. Just so dear.
He also told me of a man who traveled hundreds of miles by wheelchair. I was astonished, and said, wow! he must have really strong arms! He said no, not arms, but will. He has strong will! I love his perspective. This is his last year here, and he is heartsick. He says he wants to be a better student and finish strong. I told him if he had a strong will like the man in the wheelchair, he could do whatever he wanted. He smiled and nodded. We probably talked for two hours straight. I could easily have gone two more. I love how his mind works!
The entire time we talked, we were in a big waiting room, waiting to see the dermatologist. He has a skin condition that needed attention. Some bumps and skin discoloration. He told me about his father who has leprosy. Come to find out, he was very worried about his skin condition, wondering if it was leprosy because of his father. There are definitely genetic markers with leprosy. They called us in, took a look at him, said it was a fungus, the condition would go away quickly, and the light spots would correct themselves within six months to a year. They gave him a prescription, and sent us on our way. He looked at me, smiled and said, they look, they write, two minutes, done! So simple, but so scary. It really brought home to me the stark reality these kids are dealing with every day. Sobering. I will never forget today and the great privilege of talking with my remarkable friend, Joseph.
We talked about life. As I said before, last week's Prayer Time was on self-esteem. This week it is on humility. He said he was confused. Last week you told me to be proud. This week you are telling me to be humble. It doesn't make sense. So I told him that a good self-esteem wasn't about pride, but about knowing who you are, what your gifts are, being grateful for them, and choosing to develop and share those. I asked, what if someone came up to you and told you were a very good dancer, and you said, no I'm not. Do you think that's humility? He said that he did this all the time. I told him that it was alright to just say thank you. And to be grateful that God blessed him with such a beautiful gift, and teachers to help him develop and share that gift. We talked about being honest in our assessment of ourselves, but also giving credit to those who helped get us there. I told him that a prideful person would say, I know I'm a good dancer, and I'm a lot better than you! But a humble person would simply say thank you. He thanked me and said he had this question and was so confused, but that now he had the answer. Such a string and peaceful person. He is the president of Life Dance. He was voted in, but he was hesitant to take the position, because he had been president last year. Vicky, the Life Dance director told him he didn't have to do it if he didn't want to. But he decided that if that's what they wanted, he would do it. I pointed out that he was a humble leader. He said, no I am not humble. I said, only a humble person would say they weren't humble. He just smiled and shook his head. Just so dear.
He also told me of a man who traveled hundreds of miles by wheelchair. I was astonished, and said, wow! he must have really strong arms! He said no, not arms, but will. He has strong will! I love his perspective. This is his last year here, and he is heartsick. He says he wants to be a better student and finish strong. I told him if he had a strong will like the man in the wheelchair, he could do whatever he wanted. He smiled and nodded. We probably talked for two hours straight. I could easily have gone two more. I love how his mind works!
The entire time we talked, we were in a big waiting room, waiting to see the dermatologist. He has a skin condition that needed attention. Some bumps and skin discoloration. He told me about his father who has leprosy. Come to find out, he was very worried about his skin condition, wondering if it was leprosy because of his father. There are definitely genetic markers with leprosy. They called us in, took a look at him, said it was a fungus, the condition would go away quickly, and the light spots would correct themselves within six months to a year. They gave him a prescription, and sent us on our way. He looked at me, smiled and said, they look, they write, two minutes, done! So simple, but so scary. It really brought home to me the stark reality these kids are dealing with every day. Sobering. I will never forget today and the great privilege of talking with my remarkable friend, Joseph.
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