Meet Mooba

Manny and I have been spending some time this past week with a friend of our's, Thomas. He's a carpenter here in our quarter, a twenty something that is a real great guy to be around. He is not demanding and just hangs out. Some people it's hard to know why they want to be friends, for friendship or for possible benefits, as I have mentioned before. We were at his carpentry shop and I noticed something unusual. A little boy was crawling up behind Manny who was sitting on a log beside the carpentry shop. I thought maybe he wanted to frighten Manny, but then I realized that this was not his intention. He couldn't walk. As he came closer I saw his difficulty, he was mentally challenged and evidently physically as well. As we interacted him, it seemed to be cerebral palsy, although really I have no idea. He talked with great labor, and his body just did not move with his mind, you could tell. He could stand by holding onto something. His name is Mooba, but kids seem to call him Moosa. He deeply touched me. He smiled and laughed as Manny drew a stick man playing soccer on a scrap block of wood. I did wonder after; did I really care? I have always felt a deep compassion for challenged children and adults, but I have had more experiences with younger ones. Here in Natitingou this has come to a new level, you could say. Simply because here those mentally challenged are desperately neglected. I wondered if the rate here for mentally handicaps was less, but in actuality it's probably the same as global averages, only thing is that many here do not survive past infancy. And those that do are kept in hiding, just sitting in their homes. There are a couple that wander the streets, one girl with down's syndrome lives here in our quarter. And now there is Mooba too. Mooba is fortunate in some ways, he is able to play outside, he seems to have friends and siblings that care well for him. So what can I do for him? I do not really now. He seemed to enjoy our attention, since we were strangers, but that only lasts for a while. Sometimes I question if I am not just pitying him. Anyone who is not completely hardened in their heart, would at least feel some sympathy, some form of concern for him. So is my compassion for him really that special. I've often thought of my aspirations to help mentally and physically challenged children as well a special mission. A desire from God, and indeed to help them would be godly, but is it really more than just simply pity and feeling sorry. I know God will answer those question for me. But whatever the case, I am so privileged and glad to have met Mooba, and I pray there will opportunities to touch his life for Christ. I hope you have met some Mooba's too, maybe in your church, in your neighbor, or school, not simply those obviously challenged but the undercovered challenged as well, the needy that do not show it! May God lead us all!