Brother Agustin

Herrera Agustin:  A man who uses a chair for a cane

Several  weeks ago as we were driving in the area where we live near Iloilo, we noticed a man who was somewhat disabled and needed assistance to walk. The man was older (I would guess over 50 years) and he was a little rough looking. We saw that he was using a plastic chair for a cane and we thought that maybe we should get him a real cane.

About this same time the sister missionaries in our area began to talk to the man. His name is Herrera Agustin. Mr. Agustin was receptive to the missionary’s invitation and they began teaching him. We asked the sisters if they thought that Mr. Agustin would like to have a regular cane or even a special cane. The Sisters said that Mr. Agustin has about 6 canes but he prefers his plastic chair. It looks kind of awkward to see him dragging that chair around. It is worn down and when it is at rest it sits on kind of an angle. He said that he likes the chair because when he gets tired he always has a place to sit and rest.

This Brother Agustin began coming to church and continued to receive the missionary discussions, and we were able to attend his baptism a few weeks later. Brother Agustin is  happy and friendly; and he is always one of the first people at church on Sunday morning.

The Bishop has recently tried to encourage members to come to church on time (many of the members come late to church, as much as a half hour late). The Bishop used Brother Agustin as an example and noted that he walks to church with his chair and is always early.

Last week when we came to church, we along with other missionaries came early and the gates were all locked so we were just waiting. Brother Agustin came early as usual.  More people came including the Bishop but he had given the key to another member and he was not there yet. There was getting to be a good size group of people, (about 50) who were standing along the road in front of the gates. I walked over to Brother Agustin, who was sitting in his chair, and began to visit with him. I told Brother Agustin that in case no one brings the keys next week that we should all bring chairs like his. Brother Agustin laughed and laughed and gave me a “high five”. I think that he could just visualize 50 people coming down the road dragging a plastic chair with them. I love Brother Agustin.

In thinking about this experience I thought about our missionaries (Charity and Andrew) and their expressions of love for some of the people they have been able to teach. When they express their love it is often in connection with something quirky about the person they have loved. I think that the love we feel sometimes is a gift from Heavenly Father. We see something that warms our heart or thrills us or amuses us or delights us about that person. It comes; and for a moment we see as God sees. It is a blessing and a gift to sometimes see as God Sees.