In the last 18 months there has been this one house that has ALWAYS been closed to any of the efforts of the Plastic City team. We originally stopped and no one was home. Then as we continued walking a Muslim woman and her two children came walking. We asked about an eye test and she gladly accepted one. We backtracked to discover that this was the very house that has been closed to us. She invited us in, was tested for glasses and then offered gracious hospitality. She chopped and served us sugarcane, offered us guava from her tree, and gave us bags to carry more with us. As we chewed on our sugarcane and enjoyed the moment Geny, one of the Guyana Leadership Team, was chatting away with our new friend. Forty-five minutes later we realized that God opened a door that we could not open on our own.
· Another time we found ourselves learning about flowers like bridal bouquet, silver dollar and the croton. Geny and the homeowner chatted about sewing. Once the eye checks were complete and the glasses fitted the homeowner expressed gratitude and acknowledged that we saw a need and acted in response to God’s calling. Her cousin, who was also tested then stated how she was to go for glasses and would have had to spend $150. In a moment we realized God was allowing us to make a huge impact. As we were leaving we saw the Hindu flags in her yard and realized that God gave us a great opportunity.
· As we were finishing eye checks, Geny turned and asked: “Are we going to the rum shop? The owner wants an eye check.” We said yes. What started as one test turned into ten. Due to Compton, a Guyanese male team member, we were able to do the exams. Angie, Geny and Compton interacted with the men of plastic city who would have normally been unreachable. Stephanie and Valerie kept us running smoothly by supplying the appropriate glasses.
“Lord when did we see you hungry and feed you or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you? The king will reply, I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine you did for me.”
Matthew 25: 37-40.
As we talked about our day we realized God allowed us tend to the least of these… strangers, those in a prison of spiritual darkness and many with physical needs.