Written by Adrienne

It started with a notebook, one that was hastily chosen in an airport bookstore and that was “full” of entirely too much white space…

…and a single, blue highlighter.

A bright-eyed, brown-skinned, beautiful little girl sat cross-legged on her hospital bed as I donned gown and gloves and peeked around the corner. Eyes brimming over with expectation greeted my own then began searching, scanning, patiently waiting for anything that I might have brought that could help her pass the long hours of her confinement.

“Lord, I’ve got nothin’,” I breathed inwardly. But just as He took the loaves and fishes and multiplied them beyond human understanding and expectation, He used a little notebook and a blue highlighter, multiplying their value in ways that only He can.

Her name is Shahad. I don’t speak her language, nor does she speak mine. We live half a world away from one another, our cultures are vastly different, and I know nothing of the challenges of a child with physical abnormalities of the heart.

But God DOES…

With a notebook, a highlighter, and through the whispers of His Spirit, He knit together two hearts from worlds apart.

Simple sketches turned into great works of art as small, creative hands repeatedly reached into her own bag of supplies and gleefully retrieved crayons, a marker, then some dazzling stickers.

We traced our hands side by side, one large and gloved, the other delicate and unprotected—one more aged that offers much guidance, and one that is waiting…waiting…waiting on guidance.

Only HE could have designed such a time of delight and joy as we shared today. Only HE could take such simple tools and make a work of art into a work of heART.

I pray this is a picture that will remain in my memory until He forever takes my hand into His own.

Thank you, Father, and thank you, sweet Shahad.

“That their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’smystery, that is, Christ Himself.” Colossians 2:2

PS Please pray for the doctors as they continue to monitor Shahad’s irregular heart patterns.  They are planning a electrical ablation procedure by catheter which they hope may help her.

There is never a boring moment with Shahad. Her joy fills the room like the light from a candle – you can’t help but smile too. We had so much fun today at the hospital: blowing bubbles, making necklaces together and even decorating a glove. As I looked round the room at Shahad and her mother, both laughing at the glove, I felt the difference God’s presence makes. He was there in a beautiful way, bringing his joy and peace to all three of us.

Shahad’s special spark of creativity, her beaming bright smile, and patient spirit always leave me feeling humbled as I reluctantly say goodbye. Today I was especially touched by this, and reminded of the words of Jesus:

“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder me, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” – Matthew 19:14.

Jesus places a high value on children – he welcomed them into his presence and spent time with them while on Earth. Shahad is teaching me a lot about the joy of the Lord; I see it in her smile, her laugh – in that excited look she gives me when I first walk into the room.

Please pray that God would continue working in the lives of Shahad and her mother. May they come to know him as the source of their hope and joy. May he continue to give them patience during their long stay in hospital.

When I came to the pediatric ward I didn’t know where I had to look for little Shahad. All I had was a guess that she might be in Room 7. So I started my search there. As I entered the room I was welcomed with a lovely wide smile from this little girl. A smile that was contagious, a smile that was brave and a smile that showed her beautiful heart at this young age. But it wasn’t only Shahad that welcomed me warmly, her mum gave me a very lovely hug as well. Even though the possibility of discharge was mentioned, Shahad has to stay a few days longer due to a new treatment. Little Shahad and her mum didn’t seem discouraged by that, it was quite the contrary because
both kept smiling at me. Shahad is such a beautiful and brave girl and I pray that she will someday get to know Jesus and his love for her. I was reminded of Isaiah 62:3:

“You will be a crown of splendor in the Lord’s hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God.”

My prayer is that little Shahad will encounter this worth that she has in God’s hand. That her beauty will not only shine from the outside but also through what is filling her on the inside which is God’s love for her. Please pray for a good response to the new medication and fast discharge.

Sheba hospital has a new beautiful patient and her name is Shahad. Shahad is a 6 year old girl from Gaza and had to stay for a night at our base in Jaffa. But on Tuesday morning we gave her a ride to the hospital, which wasn’t so easy because she felt very sick but she entered the hospital safely. Therefore she had an appointment for a pacemaker and needed to stay for the night. But that was no problem for our brave Shahad and she is still doing great.

Today we were blessed by Shahad’s beautiful smile. Even though she is very tired and they don’t know what the next step is for her, her joyful heart kept us smiling while she wore funny glasses. We talked about important things in life like whether she likes dogs or cats. It was so good to see how God is giving joy to her even in painful situations. He is great and caring for us all the time. Please pray that the doctors will make a decision about her staying or leaving soon.