The Blind Beggar: Part XXVI

It was five years later and the lives of Boulos and Amal changed drastically.  After a lifetime of wavering between atheism and agnosticism, Boulos became a Christian and worked with Charles and Rima.  Through the efforts of the trio, new converts were coming to Christ. 

Even more miraculous, Boulos had eye surgery and regained his vision.  It wasn’t perfect and he needed glasses to see clearly.  He started learning to read and began studying the bible in earnest.  He savored every sight he beheld.  Whenever possible, he sat and watched the sun set on the Mediterranean.  Each view thrilled his soul and warmed his heart. 

For two years, heartache followed Amal.  First, her oldest son became gravely ill.  After a long recovery, her husband was lost in an attack.  Daiwik was also seriously injured in the attack and eventually succumbed to his injuries.  The hearts of Amal and Madhura were broken for many long, dark months.  Since both women shared the losses of their husbands, they regularly turned to the other to endure the shadows that hovered over them. 

Eventually, Madhura returned to India to be with her remaining siblings.  She had no family left near her since her children moved out of the country years before.  It was the only way to have the support she needed.  Her departure left an added hole in Amal’s heart.  Before she left, Madhura encouraged Amal to begin writing again.  She had gained a large following prior to the terrible incidents that inflicted their lives.  Perhaps, she could use her talents to create an income and support herself and her children.  That is exactly what Amal did. 

Amal poured her pain onto the digital canvas.  While she eventually returned to painting the sunsets she saw, she wrote heart wrenching and moving verse of the pain in her heart.  Her words spoke what a multitude of her followers felt but could never express.  Her popularity exploded.  She set up accounts to get paid for blog views.  Amal never expected much but the income provided a comfortable living for her and her family. 

One night as he often did, Boulos told his story to a diverse audience.  He still had nerves each time he stood to talk.  He always told of how he felt like blind Bartimaeus whom Jesus healed in Jericho.  He told of how his heart was broken and he cried out to God to have mercy on him.  God did.  Miracles began occurring in his life after that night he gave his heart to Jesus. 

When Boulos would tell his life story, he always included parts of a young girl who showed compassion to him.  He never failed to mention how reaching out to the needy is required by those of faith.  While he wanted to honor his childhood love and her compassion by mentioning her in his story, he used a different name.  He called her Cristele. 

For some time, Boulos traveled by himself.  On this particular night, Charles and Rima attended the event where Boulos spoke.  The three of them enjoyed a warm reunion later that night and the following day. 

After Charles and Rima put the children down to bed, Rima said, “Remind me to tell Boulos about a writer I follow.”

“Ok, why do you need to tell him about that?”

“He loves sunsets, right?”

“Yes, he does.”

“When I started following her I thought of him but with his blindness, I just didn’t mention it.  Now that he can see and has been learning how to read, I thought it might be a way for him to practice reading.  You know people learn easier when it is something they love.  I think he would enjoy her descriptions.”