Resting Place of Kings
What a great name for the Leper Center—Resting Place of Kings (Taman Rista). This place of rest is being constructed in the middle of the jungle of Halmahera. There is one four-plex built and second four-plex is nearly completed. A nearby well provides clean water for the residents.
I went to visit the site and could see Hendrik, the first leper to take up residence at the base. He was supervising the work on the second of a series of four-plex housing units. He sees himself as the mayor of Taman Rista. It is his job to know what is happening on this site. It gives him purpose and some way to contribute. Hedrick quickly got down from his supervisory perch and greeted us. He had a puppy following him and he told us that it was his dog. It was clear that puppy was protective of him. It was interesting to see this little dog bonding with him because for 20 years Hendrik was banished from his village—they called him a dog and a number of other insults. Hendrick is happy and now that the tide has turned. He was just a “throw away human” in the view of the villagers who abandoned him but now he is the leader of a place of rest for other rejected souls. Hendrik is now walking on his own power. Last February, he received Physical Therapy from Michelle, a PT from L. A. He worked hard on the exercises she showed him and now he can walk. That is a great testimony—it showed his determination and the importance of Physical Therapy for lepers. We enjoyed seeing him and the progress on the Taman Rista. Hendrik has a new neighbor—Lazarus — a leper with badly damaged hands. Lazarus lives with his wife in the unit next to Hendrik.
The Taman Rista continues to be built. This place will truly be a resting place for the most rejected people of this region. It will fill as each four-plex is completed. The third unit will begin construction as soon as the funds become available. We see this as a chance not only to help the physical needs of those suffering from leprosy but also to re-build the emotional and spiritual person in some ways the emotional and spiritual needs are of equal importance. I also thank all of you who have helped with this Resting Place for Kings. It is just like the Lord to take rejected “dogs” and call them kings–reminds me of the story of the lame Mephibosheth in 2 Samuel 4. He saw himself as a rejected “dog” and became a welcomed guest at King David’s table. God does what He does best—brings hope to hopeless situations.