Dear coworkers,
Last week we met Shana from Iraq, on the eve of the same difficult surgery at the Sheba Medical Center that took Sana's life seven months ago. Tonight following the surgery Israeli doctors are struggling to pull Shana out of multiple organ failure. Philip reports that Shana's liver has started to respond, but not yet her kidneys.
Friends, let's not grow weary in these battles, but fight for Shana's life in prayer as if she were our own daughter. And Shana's mother is a gentle, open, trusting woman--it means a lot to her to know she's not alone. If you'll respond to this email with an encouraging word or prayer, we'll translate and pass it along tomorrow.
You may remember the vivid blue feet of baby Yousif, who nearly died on arrival in Israel one month ago.
Take heart tonight by reading Madelyn's farewell blog as Yousif (now with pink feet) and his mother returned this weekend to Kurdistan, northern Iraq.
You'll also be encouraged to read "A Dream Come True" by our Gaza coordinator Lina, describing her long-awaited visit to the Gaza Strip this week. She was particularly moved by the Gaza hospital ward filled with children suffering from the lack of proper dialysis supplies and training. This week we'll inquire about connecting them with the excellent dialysis program at Jerusalem's Shaare Zedek hospital--which happens to be in the news tonight after a religious Israeli family donated their son's kidney to save a Palestinian child.
"Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity" (Psalm 133).
Jonathan for the Shevet Achim community in Jerusalem