This month ASELSI held our annual wheelchair giveaway in conjunction with Bethel Ministries. Even though Shes, our Guatemalan therapist, overseas the event, it is still one of my favorites. The day is filled with smiles and joy as people receive a wheelchair for the first time, get repairs on their current chair, or are given a replacement of a well-worn chair. Check out the video of this year’s giveaway.

This year I had mixed emotions as I watched the video. I thought of Marvin*, an adult with cerebral palsy, who first received his wheelchair when he was 21. Using the chair, he goes with his mother to the market and any place else they want to go in town. Just the other day, I saw her pushing him down the street. We shared big smiles as we greeted and passed.

At the same time there are children like Maria, a 12-year-old girl with cerebral palsy, who lives outside of town well off the main road. The path to the house is so narrow the family cannot push Maria in the chair to/from the house. Instead of being a mobility aid, the chair simply becomes a specialty chair for sitting and transport in the house.

When I asked one of our local workers why the communities don’t make the paths larger, the worker replied: “They won’t do that. They don’t care anything about those with disabilities.” Recently, I heard something similar when it came to my attention that even if they could use the chair to get to the main road, those driving the public transportation often won’t stop to pick them up. The drivers don’t want to take the extra time.

I understand it takes more time, resources, and effort to make these changes. I also know what failing to make these changes says about our hearts towards those with disabilities, for those that have been given information on how they can help. Some simply don’t know. Anyone with a disability in Guatemala is often seen as a punishment or burden. As a result, many don’t take the time to consider helping those with disabilities or their families.

My heart cries over this, not only out of sorrow for those hurting but also because I’m convicted of the hardness of my own heart. How often have I let my own judgments and misunderstanding about others keep me from reaching out to help? It is easy to justify reasons for not reaching out, but much harder to follow the example of Christ, showing kindness and love to those we do not understand, those who have hurt us, or those we have judged as unworthy.

Please pray with me as we seek opportunities to not only meet the physical needs of those with disabilities, but also strive to bring about change of perception of those with disabilities in the communities we serve. This often starts with an examination of my own heart.

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting (Psalm 139:23-24).

*Not real names of people