God's Miracles Surpass Language Barriers

Today was the day for which Kajeen’s mother both feared and longed. Jeff and I noticed the sleepless night that showed in her eyes the moment we stepped into the room where Kajeen had been waiting. In all of Um Kajeen's time with the Shevet community (the past 7 ½ weeks), she has not presented herself as completely overwhelmed with any specific emotion as we have been able to witness yesterday and today. In her anxiousness, she greeted us with a soaked face, whereas Kajeen was as cheerful as usual. I held Kajeen’s mother close as Jeff prayed for Kajeen to have a successful surgery.
 
We were told to come check the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) 4-4 ½ hours later. We went to spend our time in a public place where there is food, background music, and opportunities for “people watching.” Kajeen’s mother wanted no part in any of it. She spent a good amount of our time releasing her tears. I managed, with the little bit of Kurdish that I know, to encourage her that God is with Kajeen--yesterday, today and forever. She was also reminded of Psalm 34:18, “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” He knows her pains and keeps her tears for Kajeen in a special place. She cried even more and said “thank God.”  The only thing that seemed to help Um Kajeen remain calm in her emotions was to help me learn more about her--her family and their home in Iraq. Once she was asked questions about home and family, she appeared to recall good memories and we looked through a Kurdish/English dictionary for all the ways in which to define joy, hope, and amusement (since we were both recalling a memory of Kajeen jumping onto a bench to avoid a little puppy). 

Once the surgery had finished we all made haste to see Kajeen in recovery. Jeff was told by two of the head nurses watching over Kajeen that everything during the procedure went well and according to the doctor's hopes. Upon seeing Kajeen hooked up to the vitals equipment, Um Kajeen was so relieved and at peace that she didn’t even shed a tear. She smiled, touched Kajeen’s head and gave thanks to God.

There are not enough words within the human vocabulary of any language to express what it is like to be in and witness a series of moments in which God continues to provide miracle after miracle. Jesus, thank you, for every miracle that you  have done for Kajeen’s family and for all the miracles that you have yet to release.