“Different Talents”

I have realized many things over the years about myself (some more profound than others).  One that has become very apparent to me is, “I can’t do everything”.  We have all been given different skills and talents.  Some people are very artistic, some are analytical.  I am an organizer and connector.  One thing I cannot do is anything “mechanical”.  I freely admit it.  I’m not ashamed.  I have simply not been gifted with the skill of working on, and repairing complex equipment.

With this truth in mind, I have been at a loss over the past five years of collecting wheelchairs how best to handle chairs that are in very bad condition.  Power chairs are very heavy.  They also take up a lot of space on a shipping container.  In many cases, the best thing we can do is take all of the valuable pieces such as controllers, computers, hardware, etc and send them down to Guatemala so that those pieces can be used on other power chairs.  But, you have to be very careful so you don’t damage the electrical components in the process.  This is where I get really shaky!!!  I just don’t have that talent.  I have been praying for help for a very long time.

A couple of weeks ago, several of us were eating lunch and talking about life.  I mentioned that we had many power chairs that needed to have the controls taken off, but I felt unable to do it properly.  One of my friends sitting there was Tim, from Louisville.  Tim went to Guatemala with our group two years ago.  Tim just retired from working as a machinist.  Where I am weak in skill, Tim has a wealth of talent.  Tim looked at me with a big smile and said, “Brad, I’d love to work on those power chairs.  Bring a couple by my garage, and I’ll dismantle them.”  This is where you would hear the “Halleluiah Chorus” singing in the background!  I was so excited!!!

I immediately took Tim up on his offer.  I just dropped two chairs off at Tim’s house this weekend.  Knowing him, he probably has jumped in and already begun the process.

This reaffirms for me that we all have to work together to make this thing happen.  God has designed us to rely on each other.  We each play a part.  No one is better or more important than the other.  I am so thankful Tim volunteered.

If you know someone like this who has a talent, ask them to help.  Tell everyone you know about our needs.  Over time, our team will grow, and we will be much more effective in our connection and collection effort.

Dios Te Bendiga,

Brad