> Special Delivery > > "We need a wheelchair," the familiar voice on the telephone > told me. Not an unusual request, because it was Dr. Charles > Shellenberger, a retired physician I know who for many years has > been living his dream as a volunteer, helping meet medical needs > of people of all ages in countries around the world. In my > work, he has called on me often over the past years with similar > requests. > Dr. Shellenberger explained in further detail, however, > what made this request unusual: "This wheelchair is for an > older man with no feet and legs, and it needs plenty of room in > the back and seat." > As the executive director of an association of more than > one hundred churches, I pass requests like this on to > individuals and groups in our association who can help. In this > case, I called the chairman of our ministry that supplies > medical equipment. The chairman, E. J. Culp, is another one of > our active, energetic volunteers in the golden age group who > take great satisfaction and pride in working for a good cause. > Within one week, E. J. and his group had used parts from two > older wheelchairs to make one wheelchair meeting Dr. > Shellenberger's specifications. > When I delivered the wheelchair, Dr. Shellenberger provided > more information. "Paul, I will be taking this chair with me > when our group goes to Siberia." I didn't want to appear > skeptical, question his enthusiasm or sound like a doubting > Thomas, so I simply said, "Great! We'll be praying for you and > your church group on this trip to Siberia." > But privately I wondered, "How in the world are they going > to get that wheelchair from here to their remote destination?" > Since I had traveled to that part of the world, I knew from > experience the obstacles, hassles and other "red tape" of taking > unusual items through customs. > Their ingenious plan was soon revealed to me. One of the > members of the volunteer group was pregnant. Dr. Shellenberger, > always known for his resourcefulness, simply wrote out a > statement, much like a prescription, for the airline and customs > officials explaining that the condition of the expectant mother > required her to ride in the wheelchair through the airports > between connecting flights, which, of course, would necessitate > her having the wheelchair aboard the flights. > All the airlines were very cooperative in meeting the > special needs of this expectant mother, as she conscientiously > followed "doctor's orders" all the way to Siberia! No one > questioned the radiant and rested expectant mother, and getting > through customs was an absolute breeze. > After arriving in Siberia, the group traveled to the remote > village that was the location of their work assignment. Just to > be on the safe side, all the while, the expectant mother took > her dutiful place in the wheelchair. As they approached the > place where they knew the older gentleman would be sitting on > the ground begging for food, excited anticipation filled each > member of the group. The expectant mother maneuvered herself up > beside him and stepped energetically away from the wheelchair. > Several men picked up the double amputee and placed him in the > specially prepared wheelchair. > With very little instruction, the overwhelmed man soon was > proudly navigating the wheelchair everywhere - his sense of > independence and dignity soaring! Now he was as radiant as the > wheelchair's prior occupant. > When people ask the Siberian gentleman how he got this > wheelchair, he replies with a smile, "Special delivery." > > By Paul Stripling > Reprinted by permission of Paul Stripling (c) 2000, from Chicken > Soup for the Golden Soul by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, > Paul J. Meyer, Barbara Russell Chesser and Amy Seegar. > > »§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§« You're Just Jealous Because The Voices Are Talking To Me Richiele Sloan ICQ #63829109 (Missi) »§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«:*´`³¤³´`*:»§«