Last Friday, after Hevis family decided against the long and risky surgical procedure, she and her mother set out for their return journey to Iraq via Jordan. They stayed with us for two days. Following four months of waiting, both of them were longing to see their family back home.
Hevis mother has four other children; the youngest is only seven years old. Hevi and her mother were very disappointed that the surgery would have been so difficult. However, when we saw them they were no longer grieving. We know that this has been a very difficult decision for them, but now they have accepted the situation as it is.
It was a long travel day for them last Friday. By the time they reached our house it was evening. Lawk (an Iraqi child waiting for an Israeli visa) and her young mother were very happy to have Kurdish-speaking people around.
The two mothers spent all Saturday talking. We hardly saw them all day. In the evening we had another opportunity to pray for Hevi and to call out to the Lord for a miracle in her life. Hevi and her mother joyfully accepted this and responded with a loud "amen."
Since we have known Hevi and her mother for such a long period of time, we were very disappointed that a surgery for her wasnt possible. We really had hoped that Hevi would be able to live a more energetic and new life. We can tell that she has learned to live with the boundaries of her weak body.
We will always remember Hevis smile. We pray that we will see her again by the Lords grace. Hevi is really looking forward to meeting up again with Shanaw and Kale, the two girls from the same town in Iraq who had successful surgeries. This group of girls was able to share many joyful and sometimes long hours together in Jerusalem.
This morning, shortly after 5 AM, we drove in heavy fog to the airport with Hevi and her mother. We said goodbye as they began the last leg of their journey back to Iraq.
Please leave a comment for the child or for the Shevet team.
Please leave a comment for the child or for the Shevet team.
Please leave a comment for the child or for the Shevet team.
Hevi was left here waiting. Hevi seems to handle it better than her mom, although at 12 years of age she understands the significance and seriousness of the situation. She has spent the time sitting in the office with different ones of us, chatting with us at each opportunity, including helping with a mini Kurdish-to-English dictionary. We've played lots of games, and done some creative craft projects. She has been helping her mom in the kitchen preparing parts of the meals too. Her personality is coming through--just how bright and creative she is has been easy to see during this time.Please leave a comment for the child or for the Shevet team.
Please leave a comment for the child or for the Shevet team.
Please leave a comment for the child or for the Shevet team.
Please leave a comment for the child or for the Shevet team.
Please leave a comment for the child or for the Shevet team.
A month ago we were informed that the surgeon was going on a two week vacation causing all surgeries to be postponed. We were told that all of the children staying at the Shevet house would be on the surgery schedule for the first two weeks of September. The first week of September has come and gone without any surgeries taking place. It was especially difficult for these families to see Shana and Mawa come to Israel a few weeks after them and then leave yesterday healthy. It has been nearly two months since the children made their journey to Israel. The hospital has completed all the necessary tests that are required before surgery. Now they must wait.
In the meantime the children have found many activities to pass the time. The Shevet office is decorated with their artwork, they had a water fight on the roof, and most recently we took a trip to the zoo. I think this group of kids enjoyed the zoo more than any other group. For most of them it was their first time seeing anything like this. As soon as we saw the first exhibit, the penguins, a few of the parents were on their phones calling their family in Iraq telling them where they were at and then passing the phone on to the children so that they could relay their excitement. We had a great time.
Most of the children dread the actual operation, but they have waited so long that even they are getting restless. They miss their families back home so much that they want to get it over with. Please pray that the doctors will be able to fit them into their schedule and pray for patience as they continue to wait.
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Hevi underwent a catheterization last Wednesday and the results remain uncertain. Hevi has one hole in her heart and an obstruction of the left pulmonary valve. Both of these problems the doctors have confirmed can be fixed, however, she is also missing a left pulmonary artery. Currently two of the doctors are on vacation. The doctor on duty informed me that once they return they will need to discuss whether or not it is possible to correct this. If they are unable to correct this Hevi will be limited in the activities she is able to do for the rest of her life. Hevi and her mother were understandably very upset when they heard the news. 
Unfortunately, they will not have a final answer for another two weeks.
In the meantime, Hevi has been enjoying playing with Kale and Shanaw at the Shevet house in Jerusalem. She is quiet and timid compared with the other girls, but she has a soft spirit about her.
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