‘Life can change in one split second’. While we’ve all heard this, very few of us have actually experienced it. And even fewer of us seek the direction to look at a tragedy and still see hope. Achangbe Zeme, born in the Dima Hasao district of Assam, loved living in the hills. Being a nature lover, he enjoyed observing birds and animals, and gazing into the vastness of the hills around him. Like any other child, he spent most of his time playing with his friends in the neighbourhood. He would spend hours playing cricket, running to and fro frantically trying to make runs!
One day Achangbe and a friend of his came down with fever. Soon they found out it was typhoid and jaundice. A dangerous combination. Since their families couldn’t afford to take them to a hospital, they did their best to treat them at home. With various home remedies being passed down from generations, the families did their best. But the children just kept getting sicker. Achangbe’s family found a way to admit him to a hospital nearby and he was immediately put on proper medication. Unfortunately, Achangbe’s friend succumbed to the illnesses and passed away. Achangbe eventually recovered and went back to normal life, as normal as it could be without his friend.
As Achangbe was getting back into his normal routine, one day he opened his eyes and was hit by the realisation that he had lost his eyesight! For a young boy, or for anyone of any age, such a sudden tragedy would have been devastating to say the least.
Being brought up in a Christian family, and having heard of the story of Job losing everything dear to him, and still being faithful to God, Achangbe said, “I was inspired to be like Job, to be strong in my faith.” His family was supportive and caring which made this sudden change in life a little easier to come to terms with. “When I would stay at home alone, I didn’t have anything to do, I didn’t have a purpose in life,” Achangbe recalls. He would sometimes bump into a guitar that was at home and try to strum it. It’s safe to say it sounded far from melodious initially!
With a lot of time on his hands, Achangbe taught himself to play the guitar a little. He was inspired to learn more to be able to contribute to his church after he heard someone preach about Matthew 11:12-14 which speaks about a fig tree that was cursed because it was barren, and eventually it withered and died. “I realised I need to have more faith, and be like a tree that gives fruit in all seasons,” Achangbe said, remembering the moment that led to him feeling purposeful. From that day on, he decided to use his talent of music to give God glory. He learnt different instruments such as the flute and harmonica, along with guitar. He even taught himself a unique way of holding the guitar! Achangbe believes, “Whether lame or blind, anyone can bring glory to God in their own way, and in their own capacity.”
Along with experiencing such a harrowing consequence of an illness, and relearning basics of everyday life, Achangbe learnt the most important thing – to continue to have faith in God and His plans for our life. With God’s strength, grace and mercy, Achange was able to turn his life around instead of giving up upon losing one of his most important senses. “I can’t see with my eyes, but God’s word has become my light and is guiding me on His path, and there is no excuse when it comes to giving God glory!” Achangbe says with a heart-warming sense of peace.
