In retrospect, I see how God used the “Lady Under the Bridge” to take me to a place where I never planned to go. I discovered a hidden society in which people like her, worked, lived, socialized and played. “Tins and Trash” were their way of life.
It was an unforgiving place where a putrid stench of raw garbage from 6 million people mixed with an already heavily laden diesel smoked air. The dump served as home and workplace to a people who, exhibited signs of leprosy. It was a place where God showed up to a people that others had forgotten or ignored.
To describe the scene of these dear people huddled together, listening intently to stories of Jesus is difficult to describe. Here, were a people found. A new life was theirs. A life that would bring them hope and a love that was unconditional. Only God could offer such. The people that received were changed and remain changed to this day.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
The Lady Under the Bridge
I praise God for whom He allows me to come in contact with. Each day took me by a landmark (bridge) where I would catch a taxi. It was at this place where I became acquainted with “The Lady Under the Bridge”.
I never did find out her name. Through her I began to understand love. She was missing all of her teeth except for 2; part of her nose was missing due to leprosy, her hands, something I shall never forget, were calloused likely from picking tin and most fingers did not reach beyond the first knuckle. Her feet were swollen and I doubt even if given the opportunity, she would not be able to wear shoes. Her bed was made out of scraps of cardboard and plastic and her food supply was minimal. What she was able to muster up were bits of injera and meat on which flies already had their first feast. Her washroom was literally inches away from where she slept, causing her living quarters to have an unforgettable stench. Her lips mumbled a language that was even foreign to the people of Addis but this did not become a barrier to our friendship. One thing that blessed me more than anything was her radiant smile that seemed to stretch from ear to ear.
As I would walk by her, my eyes could not ignore what they saw nor could my heart resist from invading her space. God enabled me to love unconditionally. Something inside me caused my arms to stretch out and draw her close. Her heart beat next to mine. The joy and love I felt was overwhelming! I now understood love. God’s love.
He began a work in me that brought me to a people who like her suffered not only physical challenges but were the social outcasts. I would soon enter a new territory with conditions never imagined.
I never did find out her name. Through her I began to understand love. She was missing all of her teeth except for 2; part of her nose was missing due to leprosy, her hands, something I shall never forget, were calloused likely from picking tin and most fingers did not reach beyond the first knuckle. Her feet were swollen and I doubt even if given the opportunity, she would not be able to wear shoes. Her bed was made out of scraps of cardboard and plastic and her food supply was minimal. What she was able to muster up were bits of injera and meat on which flies already had their first feast. Her washroom was literally inches away from where she slept, causing her living quarters to have an unforgettable stench. Her lips mumbled a language that was even foreign to the people of Addis but this did not become a barrier to our friendship. One thing that blessed me more than anything was her radiant smile that seemed to stretch from ear to ear.
As I would walk by her, my eyes could not ignore what they saw nor could my heart resist from invading her space. God enabled me to love unconditionally. Something inside me caused my arms to stretch out and draw her close. Her heart beat next to mine. The joy and love I felt was overwhelming! I now understood love. God’s love.
He began a work in me that brought me to a people who like her suffered not only physical challenges but were the social outcasts. I would soon enter a new territory with conditions never imagined.
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