Lazarus

Before I came to Ghana, I don't think I had ever known someone named Lazarus.  We have met a young boy here by that name.  He has an interesting story that we want to share with you.


Over 9 months ago, Lazarus was at his school in Tamale playing soccer.  I can't seem to get all the details, but somehow he sustained some sort of injury to his left leg while playing soccer.  As I am told, he didn't tell his parents about it right away and the injury got worse.  He initially went to the local hospital in Tamale, but his leg just kept getting worse.  He was brought here for further treatment and he's been here since then -- about 9 months.

At some point during his hospital stay here, both his parents were killed in a car wreck while traveling here to visit him.  When we arrived here,  that was where his story ended.

Since we arrived here, Lazarus lost something else dear to him -- his left leg below the knee.  Yes, his injury could not be fixed so he had to have a below the knee amputation of his left leg.  He now walks with either a borrowed walker from the hospital or some homemade crutches (just called "sticks" here).

He is a very bright child, speaks very good English is very frequently reading his Bible when I visit him.  He has begun to be a bit more mobile lately and leaves the hospital sometimes and visits the different missionary homes.  On Sunday, he wanted to go to church so we picked him up out in front of the hospital and he went to church with us.  At one point during the service, we noticed he was bent over in his own lap just sobbing.  He has lost so much in his short life that it just breaks your heart.

We took him (and a few other boys that were with us) home with us and we all enjoyed some "joliff rice" that we get from one of the local "fast food" stands in the village.  Then he watched a movie with Natalie while the other boys played soccer outside.

He doesn't always let his handicap get him down, though.  As you see here, he even manages to ride a bicycle sometimes.  Amazing!!

Lazarus is a Christian, but he still needs our prayers.  He does have an uncle here in town and his grandmother.  He will go to live with his grandmother when he is finally healed enough to leave the hospital.  That will not be a very good situation as his grandmother really doesn't have enough money for food for herself, not to mention Lazarus.

A prosthesis is in the works for him.  Some money has been provided to make that happen when his leg is ready for it.

Please pray for Lazarus and his grandmother.  He is a super-sharp kid that just hasn't been given a break.

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