Sommers:
Mark, how did the day go in Central Park?
(Cut to Mark Jacobs, Live feed)
Jacobs:
Leslie, as you can see from these clips, it’s been an interesting day.
(Cut to pre-recorded video, Mark Jacobs voice-over)
Jacobs:
The first day of healing in Central Park emphasized hope and excitement. The second day emphasized worry and fear. It started when people found themselves in a very different place in line this morning than they left last night. The rush to get a good spot knocked one woman over and left those in the back grumbling loudly that this was unfair. All worries turned to smiles as Mr. Nnkoba began his healing activities. The results today were just as spectacular as yesterday.
But those waiting in line took little solace in the miracles being performed in front of them. They expressed growing concern that something might cause Mr. Nnkoba to stop before he could get to them. Grumbling was loud at each break Mr. Nnkoba took, and at each of the five ambulance gurneys that went immediately to the front of the line. But there was an almost palpable fear when Mr. Nnkoba nearly collapsed and had to be almost carried to a nearby chair to drink some water and eat some food. Mr. Nnkoba continued his healing from a seated position, but the reality had set in.
Saunders:
(Caption: Liz Saunders, Manhattan) I waited a long time today and I was almost at the front of the line when he collapsed. I was afraid right then it was over. I’ve got - I mean I had - inoperable cancer and I was afraid I was going to have to leave without being healed. Thank God, that didn’t happen, and I can tell from my energy level that the cancer is gone.
In a way, it’s strange. I had come to terms with the fact that I might die. My will was ready and my relatives have information on how to access everything in my estate. But once I was given this hope I realized that I still want to live. To come that close and face the prospect of death again really frightened me.
I understand giving priority to people in ambulances who might die any second. I think it would be good if they did some other prioritization as well. If people in front of me in line today had been sick with colds or something, it would have been really bad to have to miss my chance to be cured of cancer so they could stop having the sniffles.
(Cut to live feed) Jacobs:
So far, the Church has not said anything about further prioritization of the visitors. Except for those in imminent danger, they are still seeing everyone on a first-come, first-served basis. They did hand out wristbands after Mr. Nnkoba finished at about 6:00 this evening. The bands have today’s date and a sequence number. The date is rather ominous as it allows for the possibility that someone who was in line when Mr. Nnkoba finished today could still be waiting at the end of the day tomorrow. But it’s good the Church is working things out. As crowds continue to grow, that scenario is becoming more likely.
(Cut to split screen - Live feed and studio)
Sommers:
Mark, what’s your sense. This is only the second day and the crowds are already becoming unhappy. How is this likely to end?
Jacobs:
I’m a little afraid to consider that, Leslie. You heard from Ms. Saunders that even people who had resigned hope now have hope rekindled. The people waiting in line when the healings stop are going to be unhappy, probably even angry. And this is already a larger crowd than I want to see turned into a mob.
Sommers:
We appreciate your work watching this story, Mark. Have a good night.
Jacobs:
Good night, Leslie. Mark Jacobs, WNYC Live.
Dobson:
(Caption: Anita Dobson, Bronx) It don’t make sense. I stand in line for 2 hours yesterday and another 4 hours today. My hips hurt so bad I can hardly stand up. The man behind me got diabetes. The woman in front of us got a sore elbow. Can you believe that? I stand behind a woman with a sore elbow when every second on my feet hurt? Is this Church for real?
Jacobs:
(Off camera.) How are your hips now.
Dobson: They fine. I got no pain. I don’t need these canes no more.
Jacobs, S:
(Caption: Sam Jacobs, Harlem) I don’ know. The woman in front of me was all mad because she said her hips and my diabetes was bad conditions and we shouldn’ have to wait behind those other folks. I ain’ worried ‘bout that. My diabetes is gone. I know it’s gone. I praise God it’s gone. She can be all mad if she want to. I just glad, too glad to be mad, you know what I mean? (laughs)
Jacobs:
How do you know your diabetes is gone?
Jacobs, S:
I know I’m better. I can’t tell you how I know. I jus’ know. I’ll see my doctor for sure, and let him tell me the good news again, but God already healed me. The doctor jus’ gonna confirm it.
Jacobs:
Despite complaints, people are still being healed. But the grumbling has turned to actual protests as this group demands a more fair way to organize the line. Like Ms. Dobson, this group thinks people’s illnesses need to be prioritized, although there’s no clear picture of how they think this should be done. Some people believe it’s the level of pain. Others say it’s the impact on your life. In fact, an argument looked like it might turn violent when people tried to answer that question.
As you can see, the visits by the ambulances are generating more unrest than yesterday. We’ve already had 10 today and people waiting in line have taken to shouting at the EMTs when they bring their gurneys to the front of the line. The police presence is growing as the crowd becomes more tense. The Church may have to change its strategy soon.
(Cut to split screen - Studio and live feed)
Sommers:
Mark, can you describe how the crowd is feeling right now?
Jacobs:
Leslie, it’s starting to have the feel of the gathering for some of the more angry protests I’ve covered. Here, on the afternoon of the third day, people like Sam Jacobs seem few and far between. On the first morning there was nothing but amazement and cheering as every person was healed. Today the healings seem to be hardly noticed. But every little glitch, each break Mr. Nnkoba takes, now seems to bring a big reaction.
Sommers:
Thanks, Mark.
Jacobs:
Mark Jacobs, WCNY Live.
(Cut to break. Return to guest studio)
Sommers:
We welcome back Dr. Samuel Estive, Pastor of NYC Seeker Church.
Estive:
Nice to see you again, Leslie.
Sommers:
Sam, what do you think of these latest developments?
Estive:
It’s human nature that abnormal things become normal rapidly. Whether that thing is a surprise gift, like this healing, or an unexpected trial, like a falling economy, people will soon see it as the new normal. Not only is history filled with examples, but so is the Bible. So it’s not surprising that the focus would have shifted from the healing to the logistical problems they’re having in the line. Maybe this was a little fast, Leslie, but we can’t say it’s unexpected.
Sommers:
Do you think Ms. Dobson is correct, that people with painful hips should be ahead of people with painful elbows?
Estive:
I’m not in a position to judge. I’d have to know what the person with the elbow is expected to do day-to-day, and what Ms. Dobson is expected to do day-to-day. A retiree with painful hips might need healing less than a package delivery person with a painful elbow. But it’s never easy to suffer pain so even the retiree deserves the miracle. I suspect that any prioritization scheme would create problems. Everyone thinks their need is important.
Sommers:
What do you think The Congregation at Central Park Church should do?
Estive:
I’m not sure there’s much they CAN do. Right now, the gift is coming through Mr. Nnkoba. He, and he alone, has to touch and speak to everyone for the healing to happen. He’s moving fast, but the crowd is growing faster. Ultimately it will be impossible for him to keep up. Even if nobody gets in line for the sniffles, as one person put it, people will continue to become seriously ill or injured. Once people begin arriving from overseas the crowd control will be extremely difficult.
But what can they do? Take reservations? That has all the same problems they have now except the people wait somewhere else. Sell tickets to the highest bidder? No true Christian wants to be selling access to the gifts of God. I don’t see anything the Church can do except keep going and see what God has in mind for the end game.
Sommers:
When do you think that will be?
Estive:
I have no way to know, no way to guess. Right now I don’t even know whether I hope it’s sooner or later. This whole thing is beyond me. I’m watching with everyone else, but I’m not sure I’m as excited as I was two days ago.
Sommers:
Thanks again, Sam, for taking time to talk with us.
Estive:
Any time, Leslie.
Tonsils grow back, appendices grow back. Would an observant Jew or muslim need to be re-circumcised?