PETER’S STORY

Peter’s Story

Peter was very enthusiastic and driven he believed that anything you wanted you should go out and get it. Being a very disciplined person it did not matter what time he would retired to be bed he would naturally get up at 5:00 am. He grew up knowing that sometimes you would have to do without. Peter was never recognized for his efforts although he would be ready and willing to help his relatives and others. He was always called lazy because he would forget to do basic things around the house. Nevertheless if anyone in his family wanted any help whatsoever he would be the first person to be called on. He was generous with his money that he worked very hard for. As soon as his relatives would get the money the novelty would wear off. He was back to being a nobody, he was cursed if he tried to defend himself. Peter continued to work and managed to maintain himself, his mother and siblings.

Peter depended on his bicycle to help him get to work and to avoid transportation cost, everyone knew this but they did not hesitate to use it. As usual one day Peter woke up at 5:00 am to get ready for work. He got ready and realized that his bicycle was gone, he would have to report to work at 6:30 am. Peter did not have any money to get to work that morning because he gave his mother his last 500 dollar bill and the money he saved was in the bank. He had no choice but to do the walk that would take him about an This would make him half an hour late for work. Peter hurried to start his hour long walk on his arrival he was told by his supervisor that he was dismissed because of his tardiness. Peter tried his best to negotiate with the foreman but he was not making any progress with this man that hardened his heart. Unfortunately, he would have to do a hour walk home. When he arrived to his house and asked his mother who used his bicycle that night an argument ensued. His mother told him that he should leave the house because he did not wash the pot that he used in the morning to fry plaintain. He was again in bargaining mode and pleaded with his mother but she wanted him out so he had no choice. He thought long an hard about his trials and what was happening to him. He was not only sad but wondered what he was going to do to survive. He said a short prayer and carried on.

The first night out Peter had to sleep on the street but decided that he had to get another job because he could not live like this. The second day Peter was walking and looking for work everywhere but he was not fortunate enough to find anything. On the second night Peter was sitting on the side of the road contemplating his life when he heard a loud noise it was the sound of a squeaking brake and a collision, when he got up to look the vehicle was on the edge of a precipice. Peter and another young man ran out to see what could be done but when the other man saw what seemed to be danger he warned Peter and did not go further. When Peter was about to turn back he heard a lady shouting, “Help! Help! My baby is inside!” Peter made a swift turn and went back he made a hasty decision to rescue the young child first but he could not hear a sound from the child. The residents told him to move because he would be in danger but he still looked for the child. He pushed his hand through the broken window again and felt the head of the child. He forced the door and took the child from the vehicle. After he took the child out of the vehicle it fell about ten feet and rolled. The lady had a cut on her forehead but was still conscious and physically shaken. He was not sure where he was going to sleep that night but was sure that he had to find a place for the young child and her mother to get some rest . The residents of the community came out and were able to find a taxi to take the woman and child to the hospital. Peter still had the traumatised child in his arms and jumped in the taxi as well. When he arrived at the hospital the taxi man said to Peter that he had to pay even half the cost of the gas, and requested the money. The lady’s purse was trapped in the car so again it was his responsibility. Peter had money for a room he wanted to rent but had to use some of the money for the taxi. When they got to the hospital he tried to explain himself but was cut short by a nurse who recognized the woman. Peter still had the terrified child in his arms because the child held on to him and would not let go. When the doctor came in he tried to take the child from Peter but it was not possible. So he had to do the check up with Peter with the child in his arms. After he was at the hospital for about 3 hours the child fell asleep and Peter laid her down.

As usual Peter thought his work was done and did not even expect to get a thank you so he turned his back and was on his way. While on the way out he saw a food vendor and thought about the child. He decided to buy something that if the child should wake up she will have something to eat. He returned to the front desk and was about to give the nurse the food. Before he could give the items to the nurse he was approached by three men one of the man hugged him and they all told him thank you. The nurse called him an angel and asked him his name. The questions were coming so fast that Peter started to stutter, he was asked if there was anything he needed and what they could do for him. Peter recognized that he saw the man on TV he told the man that the only thing he wanted right now was work. The man laughed and thanked him and told him that he would give him a ride home and that he had a job for him and he should contact him in the morning. Peter told the man that he was not living anywhere right now but he could leave him at the side of the road. The man turned to Peter and told him he could not do that because he did not leave his wife and child behind. The man told Peter that he had a place that he could stay. Peter was brought to a house that was built behind the man’s house that was fully furnished. The next day Peter was given breakfast and lauded by everyone on the premises for saving the woman and child. Relatvies came from far to meet Peter. The man employed Peter and he moved up quickly, the man offered to help Peter so that he could start his own business. He was now to be a sub-contractor. The wife of his employer bought him his first truck because he saved her life. Her daughter still remained Peter’s friend and the little girl’s sister taught him how to do sign language because she could not speak. Peter still maintained discipline and work deligently and worked his way up until he bought a second truck on his own. Within 7 years Peter had a fleet of trucks. He was now a succesful businesman and was now the star among his relatives. He remembered the times that he was exluded and ridiculed but he continued to give to others. He taught his children to do the same. He never saw the need to be selfish he always thought about what was done for him and helped others. The sacrifices that he made were riches that were stored up for him. These riches were given to him at his lowest point. When he was homeless and jobless and should have felt helpless he did what he had to do to help another. All his years of hard work was paid in full by the grace of God.

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Philippians 2:3-7 – Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.