WHILE waiting for my turn to use a public toilet, a balut vendor friend from the urban community where I live came over and complained to me that he was experiencing chest pains radiating through his whole body. That was the same symptom he felt seven years ago in Saudi when he was hospitalized and a tube was inserted into his heart, he said. According to the doctor, that tube could last for 10 years but my friend suspected that he could have an attack anytime now because he has abused his body with only three hours of sleep daily to be able to support his family.

He has not told his wife about this to keep her from worrying but I insisted that he discuss the matter with her because she would shoulder the burden if anything happened to him. Perhaps together they could discover some solution to his problem. This is indeed a difficult dilemma for my friend. As I watched him go back into his house, I pleaded with the Lord for his healing.