Dwelling Place of Kings
What a great name for the Leper Center — Resting Place of Kings (Taman Rista). In the middle of the jungle of Halmahera this place of rest is now being built. There is one four-plex built and second four-plex is nearly completed. A water well is now drilled next to the site to provide good water for the residents.
I went to visit the site and could see Hendrik, the first leper we brought to the base, supervising the work on the second four-plex housing unit. He sees himself as the mayor of Taman Rista. It was his job to know what is happening on this site. It also gives him purpose and someway to be valued. Hedrick quickly got down from his supervisory perch and greeted us. He had a puppy following him and he told us that was his dog. It was clear that puppy was protective of him. It is interesting to see this little dog bonding with him because for 20 years Hendrik was banished from his village—he was called a dog and other insults. He was happy and now the tide had turned. He was just a “throw away human” in the view of the villagers who abandoned him but now he was the leader of a place of rest for other rejected souls. The second thing I noticed was that Hendrik was now walking on his own power. Last February, he receives Physical Therapy from Michelle, a PT from L. A. He worked hard on the exercises she showed him and now he was walking. That is a great testimony—it showed his determination and the importance of Physical Therapy for lepers. We enjoyed seeing him and the progress for the Taman Rista. Hendrik had a new neighbor—Lazarus was also a leper. He has badly damaged hands and is joined with his wife. Lazarus lives 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. We will start the third unit as the funds become available. We see this as a chance not only to help the physical needs of those suffering the effects of 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.