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The sun was shining and it was unusually warm for the January day. In the back of the car, we had the promise of freedom for one teenage boy. We were delivering a cart wheelchair. He had a wheel chair, but with the thin wheels on the large rocks it was useless off the concrete slab that created the floor of their tent house.

We arrived at the home and the men immediately unload the large heavy box and begin to assemble. One of the Triumphant Mercy teachers and the family’s camp leader, puffing on his cigarette the entire time, begin looking at the instruction pictures while Nadine another team member of Triumphant Mercy chatted with the family. 

The wheel chair was made for a more “off road” experience and with its wide wheels would do great on the large white rocks that surrounded that their home. Nadine jokes that Farhan, the recipient of the wheel chair, will now be the local “delivery man” as the extra room in the back of the cart would be perfect for this.  Farhan, whose name translates to happy in English, sits in the corner not saying a word or engaging in conversation, but anxiously watching the men as they assemble his new “ride.” He sits with one hand over his mouth hiding the small smile that’s been on his face since we arrived.

The men finish their job and we move the chair outside. One of the men helps Farhan into his chair to have him test it out and practice. He holds a serious face while he practices with the hand pedals and the brake. But in an unguarded moment I catch a picture of a smile that’s snuck across his face and a sliver of joy appears.  That feeling of knowing that you may have just changed someone’s life comes in my heart and it’s times like this that make all the work worth it.

Kelsie