"Two Holes on One"

I have been looking so forward to writing this story as the memories I hold are as vivid as the day I met the man, “Two Holes on One”. Meeting him was a defining moment that changed my life drastically. It allowed me to work and minister to a people I never thought possible. I believe God purposed that moment.

Kate my surrogate daughter, Dundee my son/interpreter and I came upon this ram-shackled mud house where poverty and filth knew no limits. A tiny tin gate separated us from another world. An army made up of thousands of flies guarded the premise so that one wouldn’t want to enter. Yet there was something inside of me beckoning me to go in. It had to be God.

I distinctly remember the stifling smells. The sight of wee children scantly clothed and a mother coaxing me to go inside continue to be etched in my memory. Not sure of her motive, we took her up on her invitation.

Upon entrance to her home, a combination of no light and heavy smoke from the open fire caused a temporary blindness. Darkness gave way to an eerie feeling of abandonment, be it they or we.

As we settled in, a wooden plank became our seat. Our sight, now restored, took into account our new surroundings. It was not much different from other homes except for the curtain. It separated us from the unknown.

No time wasted, the maitre-d swung open the curtain and presented to us her husband. Affected by leprosy, husband did not resemble common man. He was without any resemblance of a nose and could claim only part of an ear. All he owned were “two holes on one” minute shriveled face.

Immediately God drew me to him. Without realizing, my arms enveloped this wee man. At once, tears began to stream down his face. I am not sure as to why, but my guess would be from the lack of touch he had experienced since showing signs of leprosy. It was here that God touched not only he, but God touched me.

As we walked home, fear began to grip my heart. Fear of becoming a leper myself or passing it on to my children / husband engulfed me. Ignorance on my part, yes, but that is how I felt.

Upon entering home, I found refuge in our bedroom. I immediately sought God and asked for His peace. For some reason I found myself reading Mark 1:40-42. The words jumped out at me. The scripture talked about how Jesus touched the leper and healed him. I experienced a freedom like never before. I now was released with the help of His spirit within me to do the same.

My restless soul was at peace. Without question, Jesus taught me how our arms, our hands, our feet and our lives are to be but an extension of Him. They, like He, had a purpose. That is, to reach out and touch those just like “Two Holes on One”.