In Sierra Leone, people often view amputees as a shameful reminder of the civil war. They don’t always treat them as they should. Many amputees have a hard time getting jobs. Some beg on the streets.  

“Many [amputees] are being rejected by their families and communities. They don’t believe they have love,” Pastor Samai says.  

That’s a very sad thing. But the good news for everyone is that God offers His love. In the Bible, He especially expresses His love for outsiders.  

Sinful humans might push these people away. But God cares for them, and so we should too. Jesus spoke about what will happen when He returns. He will bless those who feed the hungry and visit the sick and prisoners. (Matthew 25:37-40) 

 Can those with special needs, disabilities, or fewer resources live fulfilling lives? Yes! God uses “what is low and despised in the world.” He chooses “what is weak in the world to shame the strong.” (1 Corinthians 1:27-29) Our ideas of who are weak or low aren’t accurate. God is much stronger and wiser than any human.  

The people behind Farming on Crutches tell the truth. Amputees are valuable. Each person is worthy of respect as an image-bearer of God. 

Moustapha Jalloh was born without a leg. He is thriving as a Farming on Crutches trainee. He harvests his own rice and cassava crops. Mr. Jalloh says his harvest allowed him to pay for computer science training. He hopes to become an agricultural engineer. 

“We are created for fellowship, not isolation,” Pastor Samai says. “When we return [from training], we are not as we came. We go home to serve our community as rural leaders.”