This will require some back story for those who might not know Aung Moe.
Three years ago, Aung Moe was brought to our house unconscious, and we rushed him to the hospital. He was diagnosed with meningeal encephalitis, and the doctors were pretty certain he was going to die. They asked us to choose how he would have liked to be cremated.
We requested that we wait until he actually died. And then we called a pastor friend of ours, who came and prayed for him in the midst of all of his friends.
And Aung Moe got better! It was quite the recovery, both miraculous and difficult. We eventually picked him up from the hospital still unable to walk and unable to see, and with a bill we certainly didn’t have the ability to pay. The hospital was actually grateful to have him out of their responsibility since he required so much care, and accepted less than 5% of the bill.
We got him back to his house, where he lived alone. His friends helped him with basic tasks and we provided food and things that he needed. He was able to walk again and could care for himself more and more, and now we only buy his food and basic needs week to week. A friend still makes his meals for him and many different people in the community look after him.
We are constantly trying to find new ways to try to help him–we’ve just recently ordered him a crank radio so he can listen through the day; we try to anticipate his needs of clothing or blankets for changing weather. He has gotten braver to ask for specific things, and it all gets easier as we learn more and more Burmese.
He has been diagnosed with cortical blindness. His eyes are functioning normally, but aren’t properly connecting to his brain. This can heal over time, but usually does within the first few months to a year, which we have long past. In recent visits to the eye doctor, they have told us he’s done healing and this is as good as it will get.
However, it continues to improve. Even in the last six months, he has begun to be able to see long distances, but still is unable to see nearer to him. Recently, we started encouraging the kids to pray for Aung Moe and they have really begun to be excited about it. Someone mentions him every week when ask for prayer requests, and we are all praying for his sight to return, particularly his near-sight, so that he might be able to work again some day.
This has been surprisingly complicated. I find myself hesitant to “get the kids hopes up”–a fancy way to say I’m skeptical and struggling to believe. I want them so badly to see Jesus–to see that He loves them and sees them, this little community right here on Samaksuppakan Road.
More and more in our time here, I struggle to believe his goodness. There are so many things we have prayed for that he has chosen not to fulfill. Or perhaps he is another way we can’t see–but again, this is fancy way to say it doesn’t look like it.
I struggle to understand that just because he CAN heal Aung Moe, that he might choose not to.
And it’s true, he might choose not to.
But I think we’re still called to pray, and even to pray for big things. Perhaps we’ll be the little widow in Luke 18, and our Good King will give justice speedily.
So while we pray together here, we wanted to ask you to join us. Please pray for Aung Moe’s sight, and even for work for him. We have it posted on our wall, and maybe you’d post it on yours? Print this picture of him or write his name somewhere, and pray with us.
When the Son of Man comes, may he find faith on earth! (Luke 18:8)
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