Previous | Next 

REFLECTIONS
Daring to help

Hilda J. Born

Matthew 25:34-46

A big social concern in our day is AIDS. As we worry about getting this deadly disease, I often think of Willi Martens. He wasn’t foolhardy or immune; and the disease he dealt with wasn’t AIDS, but leprosy.

Willi was born in Ukraine. He was just two months old when the Makhno raiders gunned down his father in 1919. During the Second World War, Willi was forced into uniform and sent to the front. Following a bloody battle, he was presumed dead and left lying in the mud. Looters had already emptied his pockets and removed his watch, when a medical orderly discovered a pulse.

After discharge from hospital, Willi struggled to cope with the loss of his left eye and his left leg and a body riddled with shrapnel. The only place in the world that would accept maimed immigrants was Paraguay.

In Paraguay, there were many lepers with missing or partial limbs. For these Willi designed and carefully fitted braces and shoes to cushion their bumping tread.

Willi realized that God had spared him, so he did not hoard his skills from other unfortunates. Just as medical people everywhere selflessly care for sick bodies, so Willi helped the lepers. He eased their struggle during convalescence by the individualized supports he created. As a fellow sufferer, he helped others cope with their pain. He remembered Jesus’ words: “I was sick and you looked after me.”

Reflections is a column of brief reflections on Scripture passages. This one is by Hilda J. Born of Abbotsford, B.C. Freelance submissions (200-250 words in length) are welcome.

Previous | Next 

Last modified December 3, 1999.

© 1999 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
Masthead and usage information.