An example of Servants’ work
Mang Bong* has a clearly defined sleeping spot: Along a busy highway, tucked between the pillars of a footbridge. It is dirty and hot except in the wee hours of the morning. His umbrella provides minimal shelter from the rain and a tiny sense of privacy.
A family conflict a few years ago left him homeless. Bong, 55, also developed cataracts on both eyes and turned completely blind 3 years back. Since then, he got through by begging and had no one to help him seek treatment.
Jim*, who serves the poor, noticed Bong and offered to take him to the hospital. Together they endured long waiting queues at the hospital and social welfare offices so he could receive cataract surgery at little or no cost. Bong mostly knew what needed to be done; he simply could not see the way there.
I became involved shortly before the operation, when Jim was away and no other friend was available. Though Bong did not know me, he trusted me and came along.
A big concern was finding a safe place for Bong to recover. He needed a hygienic setting, yet neighbours offered many excuses. That was saddening.
The doctor warned that his diabetes might also have damaged Bong’s eyes, so there was no guarantee of success. Still, treating the cataracts was the best way forward.
Jim accompanied Bong to the first surgery. Hours later, Bong emerged, still unsteady, and called Jim’s name from a distance—the first time he had ever seen his companion!
That night, Jim’s landlady offered Bong the room Jim was leaving. It felt like an enormous gift, comfortingly different from the footbridge.
He recovered quickly, learned to apply his eyedrops, and received respectful care at the government hospital. I was deeply moved by the kindness shown to him there.
Two weeks later, I was able to take Bong for surgery on his second eye. – It was a world of a difference traveling with him now that he could see: He kept asking me about newer buildings, unknown to him, in his own vicinity. Much had changed during his years of blindness.
After the second operation, a friend from our Servants circle welcomed him into her home. With two seeing eyes, Bong now managed their steep stairs. Everyone shared in his joy.
During recovery, Bong also reconciled with his sister enough for her to invite him to stay. Slowly, he began to release some old bitterness and step into a new season. I hope that our empathetic listening to him will have helped a little.
Yet life remained hard. After returning to sleep on his highway spot, Bong’s bag was stolen, including the haircutting tools he hoped to use to earn again. Once a beautician, he now said simply, “I am truly starting afresh—at zero.” Fate often knows no mercy.
At his final check-up, all was well. The surgery and treatment had been free, thanks to government support for those truly in need. This was the fruit of all those tedious preparations beforehand.
On the way home, we bought basic haircutting supplies so Bong could restart not at zero, but at one.
We gave thanks to one another: for Jim’s and my company on this sight-giving journey. For his trust and my privilege to walk with him at this crucial time. For the opportunity he gave Jim and me to experience a beautiful piece of teamwork.
We also thanked our Creator and Redeemer, who made ways for all this to happen: For so many healing moments in all of us to take place.
This felt like a sacred moment. THANK YOU!
*Names are changed for privacy
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