A Great Day
I am not sure how you define a great day. I think a good day is playing cards with three men who live at the Tamariska–Dwelling Place of Kings. Hendrik, William and Johanis were all rejected men. Hendrik and William are lepers and Johanis is an old man who had a stroke. Johanis has a son who works for our organization but he is low functioning and needs 24/7 care. Hendrik and William are rejected men–because of leprosy they are not welcomed by their family and village. All three of these men have no other place to go and no support outside of our care.
Sharing time laughing and interacting with these men is a valuable time in building friendship and confidence. Hendrik plays at a high level and likes to win. He is a skilled card player. William is just happy to be at the table and rarely wins. He could care less as long as he is included. Yohanis is sly. He looks like he is missing the plot of the game and then pulls off win after win. The card games happen to be the one thing we can do together. Friendship and caring have no language barriers. These men are my friends and we have rewarding times together.
What is a great day–it is spending time with rejected men. It is making them feel included and valued. I honestly do not see that their fingers and toes are gone. I see the person they are celebrate the joy of being friends. In some ways we all have faced rejection. Why not plan a great day being a friend.