DAVID,THE SAINT…THE PHILANTHROPIST

It is unequivocal that the deeds and the morals of a person who is endowed with a noble conscience, reflect the purity and the authenticity of that person, and that the unimpaired soul does inevitably live in peace and tranquility. The person who embodies such soul paves and widens the means of creativity and innovation for himself, and by so doing, he appreciates the others and acquires the boons of life. Such a person did his best to pursue happiness and enrich his life with every possible joy.

David told me that he is from a small town west of Oakland, north California, that is where he was born and raised. When he was old enough, he joined the army, approximately in the mid- sixties, when Vietnam war was at its peak. I asked him whether he wanted to go to Vietnam and fight. He said that he didn’t stay long in the army, and was discharged in two years. Then he digressed” I am not gonna kill nobody!” I said to him, “ that is why they discharged you in a short time.” He shocked his shoulder inadvertently and his face reflected complacency, and calmness….he didn’t say anything more.

Some years ago, our friend Azhari Balool, introduced an American car mechanic to the Sudanese community in Monterey. Since that time, David, and that is his name, was always present, especially at  the week end, to repair the cars of the Sudanese individuals who reside in Monterey. That is why Sudanese always ask each other about the whereabouts of David,” have you seen David?” or is David coming this week end? Some of them plead,” please find me David by hook or crook.” Others insist to find him for them, even if he is under the ground!

David is an American car mechanic approximately in his sixties. He lives in Salinas in the vicinity of Monterey town. He leads a life of asceticism and austerity which is lucidly exhibited in what he says and what he does. He doesn’t work on Sunday, for he goes to church, but he is religious without bigotry.

I asked David if he had heard about Sudan, the country. He said had, and that he also learned that there are some problems and instability. Then he went into a soliloquy. He didn’t pursue the issue, and refrained from inquiring about the details of those problems in Sudan, though I was well prepared to answer, but his deep silence discouraged me.

David is slim and skinny, and he speaks in a low voice, almost whispering, however, he walks steadily with trust and tranquility as if he is an abstemious king in a luxurious throne. He lives in a trailer in the yard of an old woman whom he nurtures like a devoted son to a loving mother, though they are not blood related. I know David for more than a decade, and I heard a lot about him from friends and acquaintances, and I always had the idea to write about him. What I heard about him is worth to be documented and recorded. I met him before for a short time, but there was no enough time to talk to him, but meeting him motivated me more to write something worthy about his exceptional personality.

I told him that I intend to write an article about him, if he doesn’t mind. He responded affirmatively. In America and Europe a lot of people are exposed to different kinds of racism, especially foreigners, and Sudanese are not an exception.

In the field of car repair, there are numerous tricky tales that need to be documented. If you ponder about those stories, you will find parallel to them in Sudan, and everywhere in the world, there is no protection or immunity. Those who don’t follow their conscience are found in all places and at all times.

David is endowed with integrity, creativity and honesty. He is also keen to help others in an unparalleled way. Without any hesitation, he will tell you what is wrong with your car, and how much the spare parts, being new or old, cost. Not only this, but he also goes with you to the store to get the required parts, repairs your car, and he asks for less that the price of a sandwich! Sometimes David tells you there is nothing with your car, after he checks it, just take your car and go without charging you a penny!” There is nothing with your car, take it and go! He murmurs”, and because you don’t believe what you hear, you ask him if he really means what he says. His answer is incredible…” absolutely, I mean what I say.” Then he turns round and gives you his back while you are in oblivion. Sometimes, and true to his honesty, if he is not sure of what is wrong with your car, he advises you to take it to a high-tech garage, so that the computer can do its work. David not only does he considers his trade ( a car- mechanic) as a charity, but he also he is a man of letters, and he did author a book about theology!

The last time I met David was at his friend’s house, Yaseen Attahir. I thought my car was defective. I arrive to Yaseen’s house before him, and after a few minutes, David appeared driving his small red car equipped with all the tools necessary to do the job, He put on his Overall, and started to inspect my ailing car while I was watching with impatience and nostalgia…watching my car in the hands of David. After a short time, he told me that my car needed no repair. I didn’t believe myself in the beginning, and I asked him again, “what? “He replied with the same utterance, absolutely, without turning to face me. I asked him how much his charges were, he said, looking to the ground,” nothing”!...Then I said,” How come? “He said.” O.K. give me ten dollars”!” What ten dollars” I retorted…I debated that with myself, I was overwhelmed, and about to cry. What’s happening in the world?

Most people could not fathom David’ identity. What does he want in life? What is his goal, and where is his destiny? Why does he live such a wild, rugged and rough life? Nobody could tell!...Is he a prophet, a saint or an angel? Is he hiding something, as the cynics repeats over and over? However, what we know about him is enough. He epitomizes and incarnates the entity of the noble people who are the wedges and the pillars of the earth. Wherever those people go life is replete with luster, shine and vitality.. God bless David, may Allah pontificate his message and philosophy wherever he is.

Omar Abdallah Mohammad Ali

Translated by Elimam Ahmed

Monterey…California