We have been called to be their eyes, their companion, their friend, their comfort and their hope.
In 1999, Martin L. Ibeh, was training to become a teacher in Southern part of Nigeria. One morning, while on the way to school, Martin ran into a seven year old boy called Lewechi; he was born blind. His poor mother always brought him to the roadside to beg, leaving him by himself throughout the day. When he’s hungry, Lewechi would eat whatever food item he received. When no one gave him anything, he had to starve for that day. He had no companion, no friend, no access to education. No one took him to Church. He seemed to have nothing to live for; it was a great pain for him spending most of his life alone in a world that reduced him to beggary.
That evening, thoughts of Lewechi’s condition couldn’t get off Martin’s mind, bringing back memories of his (Martin’s) sister, Lilian, who is blind. She was infected with rubella when she was an infant. Rubella got into her eyes, and before their parents realized it, it had robbed her of her sight. Sorrowfully, Martin spent that night fighting back tears as he mulled over the plight of so many youths living with a visual impairment, who are in the same unpleasant situation as Lilian & Lewechi, and those living with serious physical disabilities around the country. Some of them stay indoors by themselves all day long, feeling abandoned, without access to their basic needs. The government does not have any programs and services to help them. Some of the rich seem to see them and look away. One could imagine what it is like living without friends, without support, without anyone to show them the face of love. This can be more distressing for a person who cannot see.
Who would be their eyes, their companion, their friend, their comfort and hope?
God is calling someone to be there for them, to lead them through the way, to awaken consolation and joy in their hearts. We can’t hear and understand what the Lord wants us to do for Him until we stay still and listen to His gentle voice speaking in the silence of our hearts.
After his priestly ordination in 2018, Fr. Martin kept hearing the whispering of the Holy Spirit within him.
He felt the Lord calling him to make His comforting presence visible among the very poor who are in distressed conditions, to be His eyes to the blind, feet to the crippled, and voice to the voiceless.
Fr. Martin couldn’t silence this “still small voice”, for it was like a fire blazing deep inside his heart. After spending quality time praying and discerning a way forward, Fr. Martin contacted a very spirit-filled religious sister: Rev. Sr. MaryAnn Chimarame Odidika asking her to help oversee the development of the community in Nigeria. She generously accepted to take up this responsibility. In 2019, Father Martin started the Society of St. Bartimaeus, a community of prayer and accompaniment for those like Lewechi and Lilian who are blind and for those who are lonely living with severe physical disabilities.