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Marwan's Heart Surgery
Monday
February 1, 2010
Spared For a Reason
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I have followed Marwan's story from just a few days after his birth when his life was in the hands of God.  His young mother left me speechless yesterday as I watched her sitting alone by an empty crib.  I went to her and asked, "WHERE is Marwan???"  When she told me he was in surgery to have his foot removed, it wasn't the language barrier that made me speechless.  I don't know what to say to ANY mother in that situation except, "I am so sorry."

Today I expected to visit Marwan in ICU but to my great surprise, his mother was holding him and mingling with the Iraqi mothers in the waiting room.  What a beautiful little boy he is becoming.  Our new coworker Vincent was able to translate to this mother my special interest for Marwan's  life  and the prayers that have been offered  before the throne of God for him.  After our conversation she allowed me to hold him.  I am thankful for the wonderful opportunity to pray for a special blessing on Marwan for his entire life.  The sleeping baby opened his big brown eyes as I prayed for him.  I asked Jesus to anoint his eyes to see Him and his ears to hear God speak to him.  As I touched his mouth I prayed that Marwan would speak the words of the Lord with love and truth to the people of his nation.  I asked that God would create in him a heart to serve Him all the days of his life and that his hands would always be busy with the work of the Lord.  As I prayed he looked into my eyes and gasped several times as though he was breathing in life and knowing his life had been chosen to be spared for a reason. 

I prayed that Marwan would be known throughout the land by the mark left at the end of his leg where God literally snatched him from the clutches of death.  We are grateful for the gift of Marwan's  life and for answered prayer.

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Wednesday
January 14, 2010
Marwan Out of Intensive Care
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What a delight to see Marwan in his mother's arms for the first time today (click the play arrow above to see the view from over her shoulder), out of the ICU and in the regular children's ward.  With only the little nose tube delivering oxygen to him now, his progress is evident. 

His mother understands the situation with his foot is not good and that people all over the world have been praying for her son. 

Please continue to pray for Marwan.  This baby has been in a struggle for his life from birth; now that his life has been saved, his future has not yet been determined.

We are still seeking God's mercy for this little one.  Please join us with your prayers.
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Thursday, December 31, 2009
The Dilemma Facing Marwan and His Doctors
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The seriousness of the need for prayer for Marwan was underscored today when we saw his left foot ourselves in the ICU. Doctors tell us they believe it will have to be removed due to the lack of blood flow, but they are waiting until the last possible moment before making such a fateful decision. This is our opportunity to intercede for Marwan and his future.


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Tuesday
December 29, 2009
A Smile From Marwan
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After hearing all kinds of dire reports about Marwan's progress, I finally went to see him myself in the ICU today, and found him slightly smiling, as if to say "the reports of my demise are greatly exaggerated."

By his bedside I found the ICU director Dr. Sion Houri, and asked him for an update on Marwan's condition and how we can be praying for him. Click the play arrow below to listen in:

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A blood vessel in Marwan's leg was damaged, cutting off circulation and leaving the foot blackened, but not beyond hope of recovery. (By the way, Dr. Houri is not normally an advocate of prayer, but he allowed that in this case it couldn't hurt.) Let's see what difference our prayers can make on Marwan's behalf!


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Friday, December 25, 2009
Eyes Open for Christmas
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Our coworker Mary found Marwan with his eyes open on the ICU on this Christmas Day; doctors report he is still stable.
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Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Emergency Surgery to Switch Great Arteries
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Tiny baby Marwan was born in Gaza with transposition of the great arteries, causing his heart to pump blue (rather than red) blood back to his body. We first received an urgent call from the Gaza hospital for prostaglandin, a medication to keep open the small ductus between the chambers of his heart and keep him alive until emergency transfer to Israel. After sending several day's supply of this medicine to Gaza, our staff in Jerusalem were able to arrange an emergency ambulance transfer to the Wolfson Medical Center, where Marwan had successful surgery to switch his arteries on Monday. Today we found Marwan, now 20 days old, stable in the ICU following surgery.
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Our name Shevet Achim is taken from the Hebrew of Psalm 133:  How good and how pleasant for
brothers to dwell together in unity... for there the LORD commanded the blessing--life forevermore.
© 2009 Shevet Achim