Tiit and his friend Raul were two developmentally challenged young men who would often attend our youth fellowship back in 1993-96. I hadn't seen Tiit in probably 15 years, so i started to wonder what ever become of him. The youth would always welcome him and Raul to our meetings, we talked and laughed and prayed and ate together. And though at times it was a challenge to relate, we still treated them as friends, perhaps even more special as if they were family. Unfortunately we've lost contact since those days...
A couple of years ago i ran into Raul, as a friend and i were walking in Kalamaja. Kalamaja is an old part of Tallinn, and this area's name literally translated means 'FishHouse'. Though historically this area had ties to the fishing industry and has a quaint character of it's own, over the past decades it's also become an area where the socially challenged tend to reside. Certainly not the safest or cleanest part of town, in places it seems life there is just as slimy and smelly as the fish works once was, just in a different way.
Raul was walking down the street, looking weary, clothes filthy from a day of dumpster diving, but when he saw me an optimistic smile lit up his face, almost as i had always remembered him. I admit his appearance shocked me, since he always wore clean clothes when he attended our youth group. I hesitated in shaking his hand, Raul politely didn't reach out his hand either acknowledging his ratty appearance. We talked shortly, wished each other well along with a blessing, and my friend and i walked on to a restaurant to have dinner together. During that dinner i kept thinking about Raul wishing i had taken his phone number, address, or some contact information. Perhaps there might be something i could do to help him.
I'm not sure it was a coincidence that i was reminded of Tiit and Raul today. As this fellow i saw in church today, many of us are challenged in one way or another and have need of a brother's fellowship and friendship. Unfortunately so often we shy away from relating to strange and needy people, especially when they seem a bit smelly and slimy. I know, it's much easier to look and walk the other way.
So i was left wondering this afternoon, in the past 15 years have Tiit and Raul have found the kind of acceptance and love that each and every person needs? I'm not all implying that our acceptance and love towards them was perfect, far from it, but i can certainly say our caring was genuine.
After church, i walked in Kalamaja for a while, praying that perhaps God might bring Raul along my path again. I sincerely pray that there's someone in these mens lives who are caring and compassionate, perhaps sharing some fish and bread with them, along with the genuine love of Christ.
prologue: Sunday, 11 September 2011
God answered my prayer. I met Raul this afternoon, he was just as i saw him two years ago, coming from dumpster diving with two large plastic bags in hand full of empty bottles. He was happy to see me and exclaimed “God has blessed me today, i’ve earned over 30euros in just a couple of hours!” He then shared how he was working as a janitor for two months over the summer, but his employer never paid him wages that were promised. Sad when people take advantage of disadvantaged people, though it also made me angry that someone would abuse Raul’s trust. We walked together while he checked all the trash receptacles en-route for more bottles. You know, what others may have thought about Raul, his appearances or me walking with him, didn’t even bother me. I was glad God brought him along my path. I got his phone number, blessed him and we parted company. I hope to get together with him again next time i’m in Estonia.
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