Luc, sitting on a bench in the little square next to the SAMU social, withdrawn into himself. M. and I greet him, ask him how he's doing, and I sit down beside him.
We sense his inner suffering, his great loneliness, his prostration, his misery. He's at the SAMU social and waits all day before coming home in the evening. It's nice and sunny there.
M. asks him if he's hungry. He accepts an apple and bites into it. His back hurts and he complains that he can't move. You can feel his resignation and exhaustion.
We talk to him about God, about Jesus, he's not against it...he listens but seems so far away in his thoughts. We tell him how much God loves him, how precious his life is, we make conversation with a few simple questions. We tell him about the Franciscans, nearby on the other side of the boulevard. He doesn't know them.
"Do you agree that we pray for the healing of your back?"
He agrees but doesn't seem to believe it too much.
We pray for the healing of his back and hand over his life. We praise God. He seems to open up and relax a little. He moves a little.
We talk about his life. We suggest we pray together.
Do you know the Lord's Prayer?
He then tells us about his schooling in Dutch, where he heard the prayers. We pray the Our Father and Hail Mary in Dutch. He listens and seems moved.
"We're going to keep on praying for you Luc, for the healing of your back, there are 3 of us now praying for you! (He and we) and he replies, "No, 4!"
Surprised by his response!
"Yes, you're right, the Lord is praying with us!
"...and there are even 5 of us, with Mary!"
A smile on his lips.
We leave him, having told him of the presence of the Brothers close to his "home". Lord, bless him and heal him, continue to reveal yourself to him!
"Kakoule" doesn't have a first name, it's his name. It's like "ça coule", he says with a smile.
Originally from the Congo, he has been in Belgium for several years. He's waiting near the Gare du Midi. We simply approach him and ask if he's all right. A smile on his lips, the joy of contact!
"Are you waiting?". "Yes, I'm waiting for someone.
He enjoys conversation and is touched when people take an interest in him. He lives, we understand, in a very precarious situation, in Leeuw St Pierre. He doesn't have a job, but is currently taking a training course.
We tell him who we are and what we do: a street mission to meet people. He's happy, touched and tells us that he's a Christian too, and that he prays, but finds it hard to share his faith with others. He goes to mass (in Flemish) to meet God: "It's on the inside that it happens," he says with a smile.
But you can feel his thirst for presence at the same time.
We tell him about the convent and the joy that reigns there. He's enthusiastic and wants to come, maybe even this Sunday! We pray the "Our Father" and "Hail Mary" together. He likes it. He wants to take a selfie with us, then even a video 😉
Great!
Finally we understand from the next meeting that he's waiting his turn for the walking shower that's there on Fridays. But he tells us: "Actually, it was you I was waiting for". Thank you, Lord!
Joy in our hearts for this meeting, so beneficial for him and for us! See you soon, Kakoule! Lord, bless him!
On the same low wall, waiting for his turn to shower, we come across a handsome older man with a white beard, laughing eyes and a serene face, despite the poverty evident in his demeanor. This man seems full of wisdom. It's almost natural to approach him with a smile.
I almost feel I know him already. Kamel is his first name. He was a Muslim. Now he's Algerian. He married a Belgian Catholic and became a Catholic. "Not for her, but on my own! He's the father of 3 grown-up children, and he's delighted with their situation: "They're doing well!" He probably doesn't see them much. He's been alone since separating from his wife a long time ago.
That's what's made his life so precarious. He's also a member of SAMU social. He's touched by our meeting, and so are we! He's so happy to be praying with us, and we can feel a great sense of recollection and abandonment to God.
We also talk to him about the Franciscan friars and Sunday Mass here nearby. Joy on his face.
"I'll come!"
Thank you Lord for Kamel who has your face! Holy Spirit, lead him, Lord bless him! See you soon Kamel!
Our hearts were filled with joy after these three encounters.
Catherine
