This is Benjamin. (Sister Eves calls him
"Benjamin the Wise" ) Not long ago he had a promising career to look forward to, playing professional rugby for his country of Samoa. However, an accident left him paralyzed from the neck down. He had attended the same school as a few of the missionaries who are serving here and one of them, Elder Ufagalilo, talked to Elder and Sister Eves about him. They were instumental in helping Benjamin get professional help and care so that he could move out of the hospital and back home.
Elder and Sister Eves took us to meet him a couple of weeks ago. This is where he lives. Mike said that the government helped to provide a home for him that could accomodate his hospital bed and wheelchair.
We left our shoes at the front entrance, as is customery here in Samoa.
The flooring you see is a luxury here, and you will notice that it appears to be very level. Another luxury. The Eves have made a DVD for Benjamin and his family to watch. They are gathered around the televison, watching the DVD and loving that
they are in it!
This is one of the angels that takes care of Benjamin. His uncle and wife (that's her, above) have raised him since he was a tiny babe. He has to be moved every 90 minutes so that he doesn't develop bedsores.
And here he is with his uncle. Although Benjamin is not a member of the LDS Church, the missionaries have befriended him and his family. We have grown to love him for the wonderful spirit he has. (His uncle
is LDS, and he told us at our last visit that he plans to start coming back to church. God moves in mysterious ways.)
These are some of his family members. They are so sweet and loving.
These guys were quick to group together and pose for a picture!
An interesting sidebar to the story. Elder and Sister Eves have a son who was also paralyzed when he was in high school. Do you think maybe the Lord had a hand in getting the Eves in touch with Benjamin? Oh, yes. He did.
Here he is in his wheelchair. The smile on Benjamin's face almost never disappears. He is the best example of a positive attitude I have ever seen. And he is wise beyond his short years.
These three will miss each other next month when the Eves return home to Hurricane. They've been good for each other. The rest of us will have to step up to the plate a bit.
This is Benjamin. (Sister Eves calls him "Benjamin the Wise" ) Not long ago he had a promising career to look forward to, playing professional rugby for his country of Samoa. However, an accident left him paralyzed from the neck down. He had attended the same school as a few of the missionaries who are serving here and one of them, Elder Ufagalilo, talked to Elder and Sister Eves about him. They were instumental in helping Benjamin get professional help and care so that he could move out of the hospital and back home.
Elder and Sister Eves took us to meet him a couple of weeks ago. This is where he lives. Mike said that the government helped to provide a home for him that could accomodate his hospital bed and wheelchair.
We left our shoes at the front entrance, as is customery here in Samoa.
The flooring you see is a luxury here, and you will notice that it appears to be very level. Another luxury. The Eves have made a DVD for Benjamin and his family to watch. They are gathered around the televison, watching the DVD and loving that they are in it!
This is one of the angels that takes care of Benjamin. His uncle and wife (that's her, above) have raised him since he was a tiny babe. He has to be moved every 90 minutes so that he doesn't develop bedsores.
And here he is with his uncle. Although Benjamin is not a member of the LDS Church, the missionaries have befriended him and his family. We have grown to love him for the wonderful spirit he has. (His uncle is LDS, and he told us at our last visit that he plans to start coming back to church. God moves in mysterious ways.)
These are some of his family members. They are so sweet and loving.
These guys were quick to group together and pose for a picture!
An interesting sidebar to the story. Elder and Sister Eves have a son who was also paralyzed when he was in high school. Do you think maybe the Lord had a hand in getting the Eves in touch with Benjamin? Oh, yes. He did.
Here he is in his wheelchair. The smile on Benjamin's face almost never disappears. He is the best example of a positive attitude I have ever seen. And he is wise beyond his short years.
These three will miss each other next month when the Eves return home to Hurricane. They've been good for each other. The rest of us will have to step up to the plate a bit. 
1 comment:
We miss you guys so much!! It looks like you are still doing so much to change the world for better:) We love you!!
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