Hussein's Heart Surgery
 Thursday,
April 17, 2008
Hussein Flies Home To Iraq Filed
by
As
I write, Hussein and his mother are about to fly out to Iraq. As we
rode to the airport together this morning, the reality of Hussein's
mom's brimming emotions about returning could be felt by everyone in
the car.
She had an emotional departure from our house in
Jerusalem two days ago, and it was obvious when we visited them last
evening in the apartment here in Amman that her heart was still full of
conflict about leavin g the people and the place where Hussein had received the help
he needed. She spoke of how wonderful the people are, that there are
many good people in Israel, and how thankful she is for the help they
have received.
And it is clear to those of us who first met her at the echocardiogram
screening in October that the experiences they've had have changed the
heart of both the mother as well as the son.
Hussein is still a lively, happy little boy, but no longer
blue because of a need for more oxygen. He gladly hopped into the taxi
to the airport this morning with his new friend Ariel, who accompanied
him and his mother from Jerusalem to Amman.
Hussein's
mother, on the other hand, was quietly emotional during the time we
spent together this day. They return to a very dangerous area of Iraq,
and it is beyond the comprehension of most of us the extreme contrast
she is experiencing at this time. While with us, she so enjoyed the
freedom to go about the city and know she was safe... now she returns
to the reality of a life I honestly cannot imagine. She was carrying so
many things in her heart! I felt as we rode home from the airport it
was as if a revolution was being birthed within her, one which perhaps
represents the desires of many others in her nation who have not had
the opportunity to experience the things she has. I pray the stirrings
and changes within her will truly be a catalyst for revelation as she
considers everything she has seen and heard, and that who she is now
can be accepted by those in her family and friends. May there be a
harvest of the good seed sown in the good soil of her heart which will
bring salvation. Please join me in praying for this beautiful mother
and her son, and their family, as well as for the peoples in the land
in which they live, to fulfill the good purpose God had when He created
them.
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 Monday,
April 14, 2008
Clean Bill of
Health Filed
by
Last
Monday the doctors adjusted Hussein’s pacemaker and requested
that he return to the hospital for one final echocardiogram on
Thursday. Thursday came and Hussein was given a clean bill of health.
A
few staff members have commented on how Hussein is much more outgoing
since his arrival to Israel a few months ago. He enjoyed posing for a
few pictures outside of the hospital just before leaving there for the
last time. Also included is a picture of Hussein’s goodbye at
the
Save A Child’s Heart home with Sarah and Nahro.
Hussein
has been healthy and energetic while staying at the Shevet Achim house
in Jerusalem as he and his mother await their departure to Amman.
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Tuesday,
April 1, 2008
Released from
Hospital Filed
by
Hussein posed with his
friend Sarah
while they were getting ready to leave the hospital last Friday.
Hussein is now staying at the Save A Child's Heart house located near
the hospital. His next echocardiogram is scheduled for Monday. He said
he hopes to come back to Jerusalem soon so he can wear the Berg kids'
Spider-Man suit.
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 Wednesday,
March 26, 2008
Increased Danger
Back Home Filed
by
I
had a chance to visit with Hussein and his mother today at the
hospital. They are still staying in the intermediate ICU.
Hussein's mother told me that he was recently coughing up some blood,
although everything else is going fine.
Hussein's
mom looked very drained while we were talking, and after a little while
of sitting with her, she got a phone call from her husband that made
her upset. He told her that there was a great increase of
conflict in the city where they live in Iraq, that it was dangerous in
the streets and on the paths leading into the city. He told
her
that he feared for the timing of her return with Hussein. This
was
very upsetting news.
Please be praying right now for
peace in
their city, and for peace in Hussein's mother's heart as she
continues with Hussein in recovery, and in preparation for their return
home.
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Wednesday,
March 12, 2008
Internal
Pacemaker Implanted TodayFiled
by
Hussein
enjoys his final meal and some fun activities before going to the
operating room for the second time. After two weeks of waiting for his
heart to regain its beat on its own, doctors have decided to remove the
external pacemaker (in foreground) and replace it with a small internal
pacemaker.
  war-torn
region, located in the heart of Iraq. To make matters worse, the
battery in this pacemaker must be replaced every three years. This fact
has been causing sleepless nights for mom, who cannot see how it will
ever be possible to afford the expense of travel and time to have this
done every three years. After the surgery Hussein's mother explains to
Autumn and Elly that her son is in much pain and discomfort and again
expresses her deep concern for her son's well being. Reassurance,
encouragement and consolation are all part of the personal care of the
Shevet team. Autumn and Elly explained in Arabic the necessity
of
the decision made by the doctors, and reassured her that God is able to
make provision for her son's long-term treatment.
Though
each
case is unique, one thing remains the same and true; the God of
Abraham, and the God of all of his descendants, is able to do
exceedingly more than all we could think or ask. Let's take Him at his
word and share the good news!
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Thursday,
February
28, 2008
Uncomfortable But
Still Smiling
Filed
by Hussein
continues hooked up to an external pace maker since his operation and
his heart is still not able to function 100% on its own. The nurse in
charge told me today that if the heart does not keep a steady beat on
its own after two weeks, then the most likely remedy would be to have a
internal pacemaker.
Hussein
seems to be in discomfort most of the time but he is always willing to
force a smile when the focus is on him.
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Wednesday,
February
27, 2008
Keeping A Steady
BeatFiled
by
Hussein
is out of ICU but he is not ready to wrestle! Although his operation
went according to plan, his heart is not keeping a steady rhythm. So at
this point his heart is hooked up to a little electronic box called an
external pacemaker. This is to keep that steady beat. Hussein
and
his mother could use your support so please keep them in your thoughts
and prayers. Please click the link below to drop them both a short
e-mail letting them know how much you care!
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Sunday,
February 24, 2008
Hussein's Surgery
a Success; Recovering in ICU
Filed
by
Hussein came through his
open heart surgery this morning and was in the ICU
when we arrived in hospital. The surgery was a success and doctors say
Hussein
is stable and is now beginning his recovery.
Mom
was emotional when they
finally allowed her into the ICU and she saw all the tubes and wires
and the artificial respiration; but she was encouraged with the
report from doctors and the nurse.
Please do pray
for Hussein
and his mom to get through this next couple of days. If all
goes well
nurses may begin the process of taking Hussein of the
respirator tomorrow.
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Friday,
February 22, 2008
Hussein to
Surgery Sunday Morning
Filed
by
After a few trips back
and forth, Hussein enters Wolfson Hospital tonight to ready for his
early morning surgery Sunday February 24th. His new temporary
home in the children's ward finds him full of energy and giving us a
'show stopping' entertainment as he introduces himself to the medical
staff.
I think we have a young
man who is looking forward to
his new energy, if you can believe he needs more than is now apparent
to everyone even before his surgery. Pray for his Mom....she
looks tired.
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 Tuesday,
February 19, 2008
Visit to the Dead
SeaFiled
by
What
does it take to bring joy and happiness to three Iraqi women and their
children when they've endured so much already? These families have been
away from their husbands and other children, left their country for
indefinite lengths of time, and watched their children undergo
difficult surgeries. So it was my family's desire to pamper the mothers
of Hussein, Tara
and Mustafa.
When
a simple request to visit the Dead Sea was made, I welcomed the
opportunity to spend some quality time doing what we love best: fun,
food, and fellowship. Summing up what Jesus said to Mary and
Martha: the worries, the preparation and work surrounding Him will  always
be there, but Mary chose what is better, to sit at His feet and listen
to Him, and He said, "That will not be taken from her." We at
Shevet are compelled to do many things: administration, logistics,
coordination, and all the things that go on within a well-tuned
ministry. It would be easy, like Martha, to be consumed with the things
pertaining to Jesus and His kingdom, but we want to be intentional
about our first love, which is to make disciples of all
nations. We do this at Shevet much of the time, through
friendship
evangelism but also recognize the need to share the Gospel in many
different ways, like taking the time to build relationships and
fulfilling the simple desires of the mothers and children. In
turn, as we go through the day, we watch the "walls" come down, and
many spiritual questions being asked. So
with eager expectation, Hussein, Mustafa, Tara, and their
mothers
got ready at 1:00pm yesterday for me to pick them up to begin their
afternoon of fun. The  women
enjoyed the sights en route to the Dead Sea, but faces broke out in
pure joy when glimpsing the sea for the first time. Mustafa
excitedly shared with his mother, "My dream came true. This is the sea
in my dream!" As we made our way down to the water's edge,
basking
in the beauty of it all, and sharing in some laughter, we soon found
ourselves in ankle-deep water, with our shoes still on! The
women
and boys did many things in our short time there: took some pictures on
cell phones, tasted the water (yuck!), threw some rocks, collected some
"treasure" (Mustafa's mother's term for sand, rock and salt). But one
thing we did not do was go swimming, as Tara's mother kept saying she
wanted to do.
Dusk quickly settled in
and dinnertime was
approaching, so after a long walk back up the hill, we piled in the van
and headed for home. Just a side note: as we were going through the
checkpoint, ironically I was the only one to have my passport checked,
which the women thought very funny! On our trip back to Jerusalem, all
three children quickly fell asleep. While
we were out sightseeing, my wife Michele was preparing "a feast" at the
request of Tara's mother, and was waiting for our return. Upon
entering our home, all the children quickly found a spot on the carpet
and played with puzzles together, while the mothers enjoyed paging
through American magazines until dinner was served.
The
fellowship was sweet, but all too soon, it was time to end the day and
return them to the Shevet house, as the children were becoming
tired. But a good day cannot end without some group pictures
to
savor the moments.
We
were richly blessed by and thankful for this opportunity to show
Christ's love. Our prayer is that we can say, like Paul in 1
Corinthians 2:14, "But thanks be to God, who always leads us in
triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the
fragrance of the knowledge of him."Notify
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 Sunday,
February 3, 2008
Hussein Survives
First TestsFiled
by
Hussein
and his mother were ready and waiting at the Shevet house on Hanevi'im
Street in Jerusalem. This was the morning of their first trip to
Wolfson Medical Center in Holon, near Tel Aviv.
We
left at
7:30am and arrived at 9:00am for their pre-admission testing. Hussein
underwent different tests, starting with a series of blood tests, EKG,
echocardiogram, and x-rays. Both mom and Hussein received a
tuberculosis test.
 I
have watched many children of differing ages go through these same
tests, some with great bravery, some in fear, some in pain. Some laugh,
some cry, some scream, and some kick. My hat's off to the brave doctors
and nurses who administer these tests!
I can
honestly say the ride back to Shevet was Hussein's highlight of the day!
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Wednesday,
January 30, 2008
Hussein Arrives in Snowstorm
Filed
by
After a 12-hour journey on snowy roads
in Jordan and Israel, Hussein and his mother arrived in Jerusalem at
10:00 tonight.  Snowplows
were out in full force, and schools were closed today because of
the big storm. Big by Jerusalem standards, at least.
When
Hank pulled up to the Shevet house in the faithful Ford van,
four-year-old Hussein was sleeping in his mother's arms. Stepping
gingerly through the slush and snow, we carried Hussein and the luggage
into the room they'll call home until Hussein's turn comes for his
heart surgery. "Home" happens to be the building which housed the first
children's hospital in the Middle East in the late 1800s, and which now
houses Shevet Achim's volunteers, Iraqi patients, and office. I think
Hussein already feels at home here--he's snoring peacefully while the
storm rages outside his door.
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