By Juli McGowan | Published: February 25, 2013
I first met Patrick, a 19 year old albino, while consulting at a nearby government hospital. After months of suffering with an untreated facial tumor, Patrick, an orphan raised by his grandmother, was brought to the hospital by the local area chief and diagnosed with advanced skin cancer. His disfigured face was simply another feature for people to stare at and to fear. Throughout his entire life, Patrick has been different, a social outcast trying to find acceptance. As I listened to Patrick share pieces of his story, I was struck most by the deep sadness within his eyes.
Albinos in East Africa have especially hard lives. Often, they are not even considered to be human. The myths that surround their unpigmented condition are extensive, and epidemic rates of skin cancer cause the life expectancy of albinos to drop to 30 years, with only 2% living beyond 40 years. While in other countries, people living with albinism have the same life expectancy as the general population.
At best, albinos face widespread misunderstanding and prejudice. At worst, as numerous accounts report, they are murdered and their body parts are sold at exorbitant rates to be used in the spells of witchcraft. Albino killings have been reported in 12 African countries, from South Africa to Kenya, but are most extensive in Tanzania.
Patrick, for so many reasons, was in need of a refuge. This past week, after finishing his first round of chemotherapy, Patrick came to be a guest at the Living Room. His body and spirit are wounded, and his prognosis remains unclear; but I have no doubt that God sees Patrick—not as a mistake but as one deeply loved and known. As the Living Room team, we have the privilege to speak this truth with our words as well as the actions of our lives. We have the opportunity to embrace Patrick, extending the unconditional and healing love of God that is for him.
Please join us in praying for Patrick’s healing—physically, emotionally and spiritually. Thank you, as always, for standing with us in this journey.
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