One beautiful afternoon in India, I was sitting with a cute frail man named Mari while working in a leprosy colony. He was blind and held a cane close beside him. He laughed and smiled as I talked to him, utilizing the three Tamil phrases I knew and every other universal communication mode possible. He kissed my hand and talked with me. I remember having felt the Spirit guide me to sit beside him, my assignment for the day was not demanding and I know it is by the micromanaging design of our Father. Little did I know that this was a sweet beginning to a miraculous day.
While we sat in the street, the girls in charge of interviews asked if he would participate. He consented and I had the divinely arranged opportunity to accompany him. I helped him up and guided him to the interview stand.
In the interview, I learned his story. He started having problems at age 30, but lived in denial for 20 years. Alas, by age 50 he was diagnosed with leprosy and started receiving treatment. No wife, no children, and rejected by his parents, he told us about the shame and depression that came with the diagnosis of the disease. He felt worthless and attempted to take his life by poison. But God preserved him.
Unable to die and unable to live, he wandered from city to city, begging for food, until he came to the nearby leprosy hospital. We later went to this hospital to sing hymns and I was saddened by the terrible condition in which these humble men and women lived. I know it was by God's great omnipotent hand that Mari was in the leprosy colony the very day we came.
Even still, Mari's source of income is that of begging at the local temple. I wept as Mari explained that his desire to die continues. What sorrow filled my soul as my friend and brother sat before me, unaware of his great and infinite worth. I wept for his pain and his anguish. The interviewers and interpreter sat quiet. I reached out and held his hand. " Mari, you are important to God." I wish he could understand. I then felt an intense spiritual draw to him, and for the test of the day - I had the privilege of staying by his side.
The interview ended and I walked with him to the cleaning stations, helping him from seat to seat. His feet were unsteady, his cane tapped back and forth as he inched his way forward, his deformed hand clasped mine as he trusted me as his guide, his arm wrapped around my waist.
We became the best of friends. I kept him in my embrace, holding him close - his arm wrapped around my leg. We laughed together, communicating in laughter and smiles. "Syringe!" (Smile) I'd say and he would burst into giggles. It became a ritual of ours to place my hand on his chest and say "Mari Mari!" He then would exclaim in return "Joolia Joolia!"
If I wasn't kneeling by his side, I would stand beside him while my dear nursing friends would clean and bandage his ulcers. He would search for my leg, give it the biggest hug, and kiss my side - all to be sure I was still there with him.
Then I brought him to the doctor. After speaking with Mari in Tamil for a few minutes, the doctor turned to me and said, "Mari is very depressed." I really love and appreciate our doctor. It touched my heart to see how gentle and compassionate he was for our struggling brother. My love for the Savior deepened as I saw the doctor's demeanor and sorrow, despite the number of leprosy patients he cares for.
I asked the doctor what we could do to help Mari. We talked about the condition of the leprosy colony where Mari lived. The doctor said Mari's quality of life would be greatly enhanced if he moved into the leprosy colony.
I felt an overwhelming sense of love and compassion for Mari. I ached for his welfare and happiness. I felt Jesus fill my heart with a moving desire to do all I could to help. I felt Him empower me and call me to action. I stood, helping Mari stand with me, and walked directly to the leprosy colony director. After beckoning the translator to assist, I discussed with her what we needed to do so Mari could live in the colony and receive assistance therein. We made the arrangements and Mari was told to go to te hospital to fetch his things. Oh what a miracle! Thanks be to God!
As Elder Bednar, one of Christ's living apostles, said, I was "empowered through the Atonement to act as [an agent] (see D&C 58:26–29) and to impact [our] circumstances." (Bear Up Their Burdens with Ease)
I know it is because of our Savior, Jesus Christ, that all good is made possible. It is He who placed us there at that precise moment, it is He who empowered and guided me to help Mari, and it is He who will continue to strengthen Mari in this his affliction.
I thank Father for letting me feel a portion of His love and for enabling me to be His hands. Mari is so precious and beloved to God, and it was an honor to love him.
I watched as Mari walked away from the colony to the hospital, wandering the side of the road with his cane. Oh how my heart went out to him. My dear brother and friend. On the side of India's dangerous roads, he shuffled forward. I longed to help him, to embrace him, to guide him. But I could not. Into the distance he disappeared.
A little while later, Father allowed us the sweet experience of singing in the nearby hospital, the very one that Mari lived. But when we arrived, I could not find him. My heart went out into prayer as I searched for Mari. I pled to Father, requesting that He send His angels to bring him here safely and in time to say goodbye.
Meanwhile, the Spirit flooded the room as we sang songs of Jesus.
We walked among the sweet and frail hospital patients, out beloved brothers and sisters. We clasped their hands and held their faces.
But alas, it was time to go. As I walked down the dirt layered halls of the hospital, saying goodbye to each brother we passed, my eyes were drawn forward. I saw Mari standing at the end of the corridor at the hospital entrance! I ran to him and embraced him in my arms.
"Joolia Joolia!!" He cried as he recognized my voice and my embrace. Asking the doctor how to say it in Tamil - I told him I loved him. He was crying, and as was I.
This is just one of many sacred and precious moments while living in India. Oh how I thank and praise our God for being ever so intricately involved and intimately invested in our lives.
