One of the children I most wanted to follow up on when I learned I'd be able to go to Iraq last month was Zhino. Sometimes when new patients arrive, unique bonds are formed which knit hearts together as if we are truly family members. Zhino and I had this sort of bond. But because of my mother's death last summer I was in the US when Zhino left for home, so I didn't get to say goodbye to this special little girl. I was very excited to see her and see her progress, and I was not disappointed when her family brought her to the home of Shanaw after hearing we'd be there one afternoon.
Zhino came in with her big beautiful smile and marched straight over to give me a big hug, and then climbed up in my lap.
No more did she have to be carried everywhere she went, no more was her skin tinged with a blue pallor nor her lips blue, and no more did we see clubbed fingers on her little hands. Instead she was full of life and energy, and it was precious to see her whole family contentedly watch her interacting with us. When she sat down with him and her sister, her father expressed their deep thanks for everything that had been done for his dear daughter.
One of the most touching moments of the trip for me came during Zhino's visit. Her parents shared that while watching news reports on TV during the recent battles in the Gaza Strip, Zhino became very upset. Realizing that Israel was the home of her Shevet Achim friends, she expressed great concern for our safety, and apparently asked over and over to be sure that I was okay. For a little girl from Iraq to have that much concern for our well-being and that much love for us was quite striking to me. She now had faces to associate with those in what she thought was the war-zone, and wanted to know that nothing had happened to those she cares about. To me this is a picture of what powerful relationships are made through the chances we have to help these families--relationships rooted in the love of God which has the power to connect and change hearts and lives forever. May God receive great glory for what He's done in the life of Zhino, and may He receive a great harvest from the good seeds planted into her fertile heart.
Zhino and three other children and their mothers flew back to Iraq today after spending three days with us in Jordan following their heart surgeries in Israel. (Zhino is pictured above rear right.)
We still remember the long waiting time in Jordan before the surgeries. Everybody was very tense then, and it used to take a while before we could cheer them up and make them smile. Now, what a difference!
We were most concerned about Zhino before surgery because she looked so blue, and she is now smiling and rosy. We still remember how her mother used to be torn between hope and dispair and frequently broke down crying.
These last three days have been relaxed and happy, and the families joined with our family in our evening worship times.
It's so nice to release happy mothers and children home to their families. Thank you Lord for all of your grace.
After calling the hospital, she was told to bring her in. At the hospital, Zhino was diagnosed with a hernia and would need another surgery. It was obvious that Zhino and her mother were very disappointed when they heard the news, but Zhino still had her beautiful smile and enjoyed playing outside.Sunday, Zhino went in for a minor surgery. Not to worry, she is okay. She came out at about 1:00 p.m. and the doctors said it was a successful surgery. Zhino was a bit hungry when she came out and wanted something to eat. After asking the nurses, they agreed to let her eat a few crackers and a small cup of tea. This seemed to make her feel better. She was resting a little bit later. If she is still better tomorrow, the doctors will release her to return to the Save a Child's Heart house. Still pray for her, as we know any surgery can be painful.
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