Raymond is a Vet from the Korean War which is sometimes known as the Forgotten War due to the ease that we as a country forget that that war actually occurred.
Though it was a short war, about three years long, it was a deadly war.
3 years 54,000 American lives lost in Korea while the Vietnam War of nearly 18 years lost nearly 58,000 American’s.
Don’t worry, this is really not about the “Forgotten War” but it is about one of this war’s forgotten heroes: Raymond.
Matt and I met Raymond one day in the park. He approached us as we sat a picnic table talking. He asked if we could help him to adjust his radio to a particular station. He needed help because he could see the radio well enough to do himself – he was legally blind.
We asked what had happened to cause his blindness: “I got hit in the head during the war”
He was humble and not at all self focused but he was lamenting the gradual loss of his eye sight.
He explained further that there may be hope though the Veterans Administration to gain his sight back but it was hard to navigate that journey especially when you are homeless.
Raymond stayed upbeat as he pointed across the park at a woman with a shopping cart and explained that he was thankful that he had a Seeing Eye girl friend that made life possible.
Matt and I really wanted to help this humble man that most had forgotten… We told him that we had no resources but what we had we give to you if you will accept it. He allowed us to lay our hands on him and pray…so we prayed and he wept with joy.
Matt saw Raymond more than I did but we both enjoyed out new friend and kept praying for him.
The next sentence should talk about how he regained his sight…but as far as we know he hasn’t received his eye sight yet and in fact he lost more of his vision…
You see, his Seeing Eye girl friend who supplied vision for Raymond died a few months after this encounter…a brain clot quickly took her life.
Matt saw Raymond shortly after she died and he was sad. But we haven’t seen Raymond since and that makes us sad. But both Matt and I take joy in knowing that we had a moment to extend God’s Kingdom toward Raymond in prayer and friendship… it makes both Matt and I SEE each moment with others as His appointment.
Shaun Sheahan
PS Matt is a great friend and life partner. He and his amazing (and pregnant) wife Amy and their cool kid Nolan are part of NeiuCommunities with us.
Posted to Sheahanlife.com
Thanks for praying for us…
Shaun and Maria Sheahan
Thu, Jun 17, 2010
NC San Diego, San Diego, Shaun + Maria Sheahan