21 October 2006

The Facility

Have you ever been trapped in a place or position where you don't want to be? You hate to be there, but you don't have a choice? You want to escape, but there is just nowhere else to go? We often find ourselves in situations we don't want to be in life, but what can we do about it? Nothing much... other than pray and hope someone can come and save us from our misery. But really... what do we know. What do I know. Compared to the endless entrapment the people in The Facility face... my problems are but a passing wind.


On Sunday, Mandy and I headed to The Facility after church. Mandy was one of my first mortals whom I pointed to God. Since then she grew wings and became an angel to many; one I could constantly turn to for support, especially when the people I was dealing with needed plenty of prayer. Today I needed some backup for where I was going could break even the most firm and resolute hearts.


What I am about to tell you is completely true, though I know you may find it too extreme to believe. Still, I'll take you into The Facility, and you shall see through my eyes exactly what I saw. Nothing could have prepared me for this.


The Facility
Imagine your world being limited to a single building. A tiny two story facility surrounded by a fence. That is what life is for the people living here in The Facility. And that is just the beginning.


Walking down the seemingly serene driveway beside an empty grass patch, you see many sitting at the front porch. They face the open gate and empty road outside but no longer show any longing to exit the place, for that hope has long past. Their faces show no signs of joy or gladness, but stare at you with hopeless eyes. You turn your glance away.


Through the narrow front door is a room with more beds than it should have. The smell is distinct; the walls are faded. Such living conditions fill every single room in the facility. But that is not what really makes the place oppressive.


The silence is.


People are everywhere, lying on beds or sitting on chairs; yet the only sounds heard are swift footsteps of the staff or a groan from the next room. Everyone is downcast and gloomy. No words are said. No one bothers to. There is no television to watch and the only phone present requires you to pay.


A lady beside you suddenly begins wailing loudly and you instinctively take a step away. Another across the room smiles at you. You look at her for a moment and then away. But you know from the corner of your eye that she still holds the frozen expression, staring and smiling at you. She smiles at you.


You try to ignore it and head upstairs. A man sits in a chair in the first room and tries to speak to you. As you draw nearer, you notice he is breathing through a hole in his neck. You can actually look into his windpipe and see some mucus expelled as he coughs. A staff member enters and tells you that he can talk to you if you cover the hole. You leave the room soon after.


Bodies twisted in ways you could never believe still held life do. Such widespread lethargy fills the air that few bother to walk about and just sit or lie down all day. Limbs turn weak and useless; some bend sideways while others just shrivel up. Sickness and ailments are prevalent. For some reason you look troubled.


Death is not uncommon here. It happens every now and then that people here have become numb to it and wait silently for their turn to come.


Some of those whose time has not come have stayed here for months, others a year, some two years, but some have been here for the last ten years. Ten years in this place.


All this seems almost like a horror movie and far too unrealistic to be true. Even I find what I have written sounding so far-fetched and implausible. How can a place like this exist in a civilized country? Guess what... It does. The fact that we can't believe it does not mean places like this don't exist. Allow me to continue...


Your family can visit you here. Once a month maybe. But many a time they don't. After all, they were the ones who sent you to The Facility.




What was your crime? Nothing actually- you're just old. But you understand your children need their own space don't you? And an old folks home is not that bad right?


Have you ever wondered how you'd feel if your children were to send you to The Facility? It may not happen to you, God bless you, but what did these people here think when they were younger?


Mandy and I left The Facility. But we return every fortnight in desperate attempts to dispel some of the gloom by talking to some of the people there. Progress has been slow. This is one world that needs saving, and there is little the 2 of us can do alone.


Believe what I say about The Facility. If not, see it for yourself. Either way... they need more help. Don't turn away, the way I first did there, when people look upon you with pitiful eyes. For the many people living in misery, you can save the world.