New Creation

Posted March 26, 2020 by Ruth

Looking at Khonav now, I find it hard to believe she’s the same person who arrived here a couple of months ago. I still remember the kind, but quiet Khonav I met on that first Sunday morning; she had an obvious blue tinge to her skin tone and could only walk a short distance before exhaustion hit. Before her surgery, her energy levels were so low we had to take the car for the 30 second drive to the beach. This all seems worlds away from the Khonav we now have at Jaffa. Her energy is increasing every day, and with it her confidence and joyful spirit. More and more, despite the language barrier, we are seeing her beautiful personality shine through – her sense of humor, her creativity, and her care for those around her.

This past week we have had so much fun. From doing jigsaw puzzles to drawing on the windows with special window pens, Khonav is up for anything. Although I love seeing the way she approaches everything with so much enthusiasm, what has really encouraged me has been watching the way she draws the other children into activities. It is really valuable for children like seven year-old Ramyar to have an older role model like Khonav to look up to.

The families have a favorite board game that brings out the competitive side in everyone; since Khonav explained the rules, even the mums love it and take it very seriously. Almost every day, Khonav and Ramyar insist that we play – sometimes for hours on end. Today however, co-worker Markus had another idea. Equipped with various stationary supplies we decided to make our own board games instead. Khonav and Ramyar quickly got involved and even made dice to go with them.

Yesterday, we made the most of the sunshine and had an art session out on the balcony – everyone got involved! Khonav carefully painted a beautiful Kurdish flag and wrote “love” above it. She really loves her country and the people there. She’s always calling her friends back home and sending them lot of photos – I’m sure she misses them a lot. It really touches me to see this relational side of Khonav; she cares a lot about the people around her. She’s been constantly asking after our German volunteers who returned home last week; the love they showed her has obviously had a huge impact. This is a real testimony to how God uses our relationships here.

When I think of Khonav I think of 2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has gone, the new is here!” Just as she has experienced the physical transformation after her surgery, I pray that she would experience the spiritual transformation brought by being in Christ. Please keep praying for her as she waits for her final echo.

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A beautiful day for a beautiful girl

Posted March 12, 2020 by Georgia

Khonav and her mum have been asking when her CT scan will be for some time. This is possibly her final assessment needed to check whether her condition is good enough to return home.

Without being able to see “inside,” we can see such a big change on the outside for Khonav! Since the surgery, she has vastly improved in what she is capable of doing physically. She is also very determined not to have to use the wheelchair. She has been out to the Carmel Market, walked to the beach a few times and yesterday even had a (short) go on the exercise machines outside!

She is a lot of fun and full of life and excitement. It’s good to laugh with her, without her getting out of breath.

Today Khonav had duly fasted ahead of her CT scan, and was feeling hungry when we arrived at the hospital. As we were waiting, a really lovely doctor passed us, who had been very taken with Khonav while she was an inpatient.

So it was with great joy that she greeted Khonav and her mother. We hope she will be able to come to Khonav’s farewell party which….could be very soon!

The scan went smoothly, and afterwards we joined the other families waiting in the cardiology area. Khonav called her brother in Kurdistan to update him on the day.

We need to wait for the doctor to interpret the CT scan, and then perhaps Khonav will be cleared to return home and be reunited with her family. She and her mum will be sorely missed!

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Khonav's post-surgery assessment

Posted February 19, 2020 by Ruth

Khonav and her mum have a beautiful, positive outlook on life. It was a fairly long day for both of them and yet, they found things to be thankful for in every moment.

At Sheba Medical Center, after signing in on the fourth floor, Khonav’s first step was a blood test. On the way, she spotted a fish tank and we spent a while admiring all the fish. Khonav’s mum was really impressed by how beautiful they were – all sorts of colours and sizes.

After the blood test, we all made ready for Khonav’s echo-cardiogram. I was really impressed with how calmly she handled both the blood test and echo. Both Khonav and her mother have a real peacefulness about them, and a huge amount of patience.

Then came the wait for the doctor. Just as we sat down, we spotted the tea trolley! To be honest, we were all really excited by this. With hot chocolate, coffee, tea and cake, we sat together talking, looking at pictures, taking selfies, and looking at the rain out the window. Khonav’s love for all the other children at the Shevet house is really obvious. She is always asking about them and showing me pictures she’s taken of them. This is so reflective of God’s heart for community, and it’s so beautiful to see this heart in Khonav.

On the way out, I spotted Khonav’s drawing on the art board. I was very excited to see her talent on display. She’s come to be such a special friend to me during her time here.

God-willing after a CT scan, Khonav will be able to return to Kurdistan! She will probably need to return to Israel next year for another surgery.

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Home to Jaffa

Posted February 13, 2020 by Georgia

Co-worker Alena and I were greeted by multiple staff members at the hospital today, all of whom asked if we were looking for Khonav, as she is being discharged today. It seems like everyone has been captured by the wonderful friendliness of this special girl.

We reached Khonav in the classroom, doing some logic puzzles with one of the teachers. They were quite difficult even for us who fully understood the instructions!

When we left, both of the teachers said how much they will miss having Khonav around at the hospital. Thank God that He is in every circumstance, so despite having a big heart surgery, the beautiful qualities of friendship still are woven together.

The doctors and nurses enthusiastically expressed similarly, please to make sure that Khonav comes back to see them when she comes for an echo check up next week. One of the doctors had even given Khonav a beautiful bracelet as a gift.

Khonav’s radiant mother kindly took the time to say farewells to other mothers and grandmothers in the hospital whom she had been alongside during her stay. Despite the differences in language, she took the effort to use a few words in English and Arabic as well as her trademark embraces to leave everyone she met feeling sure that she cares for them and their situation.

Khonav and mum were welcomed back home to Jaffa by the other mothers with exactly the heartfelt enthusiasm they deserve. We have all really missed having them around, especially Halbast’s mother, who travelled to Israel with them weeks ago.

Thank God that Khonav is well enough to be home with us in Jaffa. Please continue to pray for her and that she can enjoy the benefits of her new health after the surgery.

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A bright smile

Posted February 12, 2020 by Joela

As co-worker Brianna and I entered Khonav’s hospital room, her face lit up and underneath her oxygen mask we could see a bright smile.

I haven’t seen Khonav and her mother in a week so there were many kisses and hugs. I just love them so much and the way they express their love to us. Of course, one of mum’s first questions was if we wanted something to eat! Her caring heart for Khonav and also for us is so beautiful.

After a while of sitting and chatting, the social workers came. These people are doing such a great job! Khonav went with them to a craft class to paint something. But before they went, Daiki Khonav showed us proudly a picture that Khonav drew – it was such a lovely moment.

After Khonav’s left lung collapsed yesterday, she is still recovering with high amounts of supplemental oxygen. She wasn’t too happy about wearing the mask, but it really helps her and she understood why she needs to wear it. Khonav talked a lot about coming home (to Jaffa) but before that will happen, she will need an x-ray tomorrow. Hopefully after the results, they can reduce the amount of needed oxygen so she can finally return to our home in Jaffa again.

I know she really wants to be at home, but I also know that she enjoys painting a lot so I am happy about the time she can spend in hospital to recover from everything. Please pray with me that she will not get upset about staying in the hospital a bit longer, but will enjoy painting even more. In our prayers we can also support her mother who is such a big help for Khonav.

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Almost discharged

Posted February 11, 2020 by Georgia

We got news early on in the day that Khonav was possibly…then definitely…being discharged today! She just needed to have an x-ray to confirm everything was OK. Co-worker Liza went downstairs with Khonav (who is now able to walk such a distance without support) and her mum to have this done. However, sadly, the x-ray revealed that part of her lung is collapsed! It was a shock to hear this for everyone, and especially Khonav who had been so looking forward to coming back home to Jaffa for quite some time now.

But, Khonav and her mum both have an unshakable spirit which keeps them joyful. Even in the circumstance of this sad news, Khonav’s mum took the time to help the grandma of another Shevet child, Asmaa, who was feeling unwell, by bringing her a sandwich to eat together whilst waiting for Asmaa’s catheterization.

Khonav’s condition is now being treated with oxygen, and she had cheered up by the end of the day. Her main concern was that she was hungry, but was laughing so much as the oxygen mask was obstructing her mouth. We took some pictures together and hoped that she will be coming back to our home in Jaffa very soon. Thank God for the continually beautiful patient and joyful spirit we see in these two. Hopefully Khonav will have recovered soon.

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Fearfully and wonderfully made

Posted February 10, 2020 by multiple authors

Written by Anna and Colin

Khonav’s chest tube drains were removed today! Together we walked around the hospital, and she loved being outside of her hospital room. She loved being free from the chest drainage tubes. Every step Khonav walked, her mother praised God.

The picture that she drew yesterday of a tree and a rose, was posted on a board outside of the unit. We all marveled at her creation. Today she drew a picture of a river and fields, which she described of as Kurdistan. She draws very beautifully.

Itt reminds us all of how God created her so fearfully and wonderfully, as we read in Psalm 139 this morning,

For you created my inmost being.

You knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from you

when I was made in the secret place,

when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.

We praise God for her improvement and look forward to having her return to our home in Jaffa soon.

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The great artist

Posted February 9, 2020 by Ruth

Today, Khonav’s inner artist made an appearance. I think we were equally excited this morning when she was invited to the little art room and offered all kinds of paints and pens and glitter. The black page quickly seemed to come to life as she sketched out a huge tree, accompanied by beautiful red flowers. Not wanting to be left out, I asked if I could join in. As Khonav and I sat there, drawing together, I felt so peaceful.

I think God loves it when we create – when we design and make things – because he is a creative God and we are made in his image. He is the great artist and we are his masterpiece. It was so beautiful to see this wonderful creativity in Khonav.

After our art session, Khonav and I played a puzzle game. Even though the instructions were explained in English, she seemed to understand the game much better than I. Khonav’s mum insisted I join them for lunch…and what a feast it was. I really don’t know how mum Khonav manages to make a hospital feel so welcoming, but every time I visit her, I feel like a guest at a banquet. Today there was pita bread with a large selection of fillings, and a delicious cheesecake which she’d acquired from somewhere. When Georgia joined us later, mum Khonav (to my amazement) produced even more food! Like creativity, hospitality is a gift from God – it’s so wonderful to see God’s own heart in these two amazing people.

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A beautiful transformation

Posted February 4, 2020 by Ruth

Today was the first time I’d seen Khonav since her operation. As soon as I spotted her, propped up against a pillow in her hospital bed, I ran over, not really able to contain my excitement. I can’t put into words how happy it made me to see her. She looks so, so good. Before the surgery, there was an underlying blue tinge to her skin, but now her complexion has completely changed. Everyone can see the difference!

Khonav and her mum are such a lovely pair; they have definitely come to feel like family during their time here. Hospitable even in hospital, Khonav’s mum ushered me to the big comfy chair next to Khonav’s bed and rushed off to bring us cakes from the tea trolley.

We had a really nice time together – looking at photos from Jaffa beach trips, writing our names, talking about how the other families were doing, and of course, eating cake! Khonav and her mum are really looking forward to coming back to Jaffa soon. It’s really good to see how at home they feel here, and I was really touched by how happy they were to see Georgia and I.

Please join us in thanking God for this wonderful change in Khonav. In the words of Psalm 75v9: “But as for me, I will always proclaim what God has done; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob”

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Filled with joy

Posted February 4, 2020 by Georgia

Khonav today is improving well, but is still on a high amount of oxygen support. Her mother is filled with so much joy over the changes she sees in her daughter.

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Come and see the transformation!

Posted February 2, 2020 by Georgia

Khonav’s mother was so eager to point out many parts of her daughter and ask us to confirm her excited suspicions: that she has had a complete transformation in the colour of her hands, feet and face. Yes, we had to agree with her, she is looking a beautiful colour, no longer blue.

The mother also has had a transformation. She was so so happy, it is hard to put into words. Thank God for the joy that she has. It was a very big blessing to see her beautiful face lit up with delight seeing Khonav.

Khonav was already in the secondary ICU, although with chest drains and with oxygen support from a nasal cannula. She was reasonably cheery and bravely said she wasn’t in too much pain. She needs to do some breathing exercises, which Claudia empathised with, and said from her own experience, it is one of the most painful things to do. Khonav’s mum was quite persistent in trying to encourage her to get on with the exercises.

Thank God for the quick recovery of our little sister Khonav after surgery, just on Thursday last week!

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Surgery day!

Posted January 30, 2020 by Georgia

After waiting over 13 years, Khonav’s time for surgery was finally here. Thank you God for opening the way for her. She has really been quite disabled with what she has been physically capable of, needing a wheelchair or a car to transport her around. Even an excited conversation could leave her short of breath, and her already blue skin tone turning darker.

So today the medical team were able to make a central shunt for her heart which should improve the amount of oxygen in her blood flow around the body. The surgeon afterwards commented how sad it was for her to have lived all these years with a heart in poor condition, and how it must have affected her quality of life. As I’m writing this now, I can’t help but think how beautiful Khonav’s life already is, despite what seems to have been a massive limitation. She has a fun-filled spirit and is quick to enjoy everything she can. She is extremely friendly, and she and her mother are very loving to everyone they meet. One of the words I think of which describes them is “content.” Always they are grateful, patient and happy with whatever they have. Sometimes just to sit together on the beach for an hour in almost silence together, they are content with it. It is really special and I love them both very much.

The day together with the mother was lovely also, as there were so many other Kurdish families and Shevet volunteers around the hospital. It makes it so much nicer to be all together. And Khonav’s mother kept asking after the other children whom she knew. She also comforted a Palestinian mother whose baby was having a catheterisation at the same time. Khonav’s mother has a big and generous heart.

After many hours, we received the news that Khonav’s surgery had finished and was successful. Our mother was extremely happy and relieved, finally able to relax and call her family and friends with the good news. We saw Khonav after she was stabilised in the ICU. What a beautiful transformation, already it was possible to see the brighter colour of her face. I said to her “Khonav my sister, you aren’t blue!” and she opened her eyes and moved her face and mouth in response. It was very special and peaceful to share the moment together, and through the sedation haze, she reached her fingers to hold our hands.

Thank God for bringing her safely through the surgery!

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Lifelong dream comes true

Posted January 29, 2020 by Almuth

Do you have a dream of your life? Khonav has. The 14-year-old just wants a surgery for her broken heart, that makes her able to experience the world out of the car or the wheelchair, to move faster than in slow motion. And praise God, today she was admitted in the hospital for a surgery tomorrow!

Our teenager started the day with a happy smile on her lips that shows also a little bit of confidence. And the smile remained on our beauty’s lips during the long waiting time in the hospital, the different examinations and the preparation for the surgery. What a gift to be able to smile facing a big surgery! Her mother is more anxious but also a very sweetheart and has got a happy spirit and is just such a good support for Khonav.

For me, Khonav is my little sister, the sister I always wished to have. And it is just so difficult to send her to the surgery. My heart is a little more worried than I usually experience since not all surgeries are so easy and completely successful. Therefore I need to build my trust in God – HE is good!

I know God knows all the dreams Khonav stores in her heart, for sure also her biggest one. Please God, hold Your hands over Khonav! Please pray for a good night and a blessed and shepherded surgery tomorrow!

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Khonav update

Posted January 17, 2020 by Alena

Today our beautiful Khonav had a blood test to check her uric acid levels. But the day was not a normal one for me, because my sister and her husband came with us to the hospital! They got to meet Khonav and her mum, and to spend the day with them. After the blood test, we waited to have the results and speak with a doctor. In between time, we got ice cream and coffee, and then were treated to lunch by little Halbast’s mum, who put out a spread of hospital food! This was my family’s first taste of Kurdish hospitality!

When the blood results came back, we got the good news that the medicine was working and her uric acid levels are normal! The day ended with Jonathan and Yousef coming to pick them up to take them back to Jerusalem, where they are very happy, as they have enjoyed their time in the guest house very much.

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Welcome home

Posted January 10, 2020 by Georgia

We welcomed Khonav and her mum back home to the Shevet base today. They are a delight to have here with us. The catheterisation went ahead as planned, and her case will be discussed by the doctors next week.

Khonav has been given some medication for her blood, and this was particularly appreciated by her mum, as she says in Kurdistan there was no medicine for her.

Thank God for the beautiful patient spirit of Khonav and her mother. Please pray that the doctors will soon agree on a plan to help Khonav’s condition

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Finally a Catheterization!

Posted January 9, 2020 by Lisa

It finally happened!

After being called in many times without having a procedure, Khonav got her Cath today. Her mum was very happy about this even though she was scared at the same time. Hope for a better quality life for her daughter however, gave her strength.

As I entered the hospital room in which Khonav was recovering, I found a sleepy smiling, beautiful Khonav. Her smile widened as I approached her bed. Khonav‘s Mum hugged me and I could feel how relieved she was. After the Cath, Khonav’s oxygen saturation dropped, but the amazing hospital staff took care of it.

Khonav and her mum were filled with so much joy which spread to me! They received all the instructions of the staff with love and patience. Together they were able to understand and communicate – a beautiful duet.

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Lovely Khonav

Posted January 7, 2020 by Alena

Lovely Khonav will, God willing, have her cath tomorrow! Even though it has been canceled twice before, we are hopeful because I talked to the nurse who said she was the only one scheduled for tomorrow! We went to the hospital in the late afternoon, and her bed in the secondary cardiac ICU was ready when we got there. It was crazy because the room was so empty! I’ve never seen the room with just one bed in it, usually there are four!

After that, we spent some time together doing what we love to do: braid Khonav’s hair! So she got out her brush to comb through, and then I french-braided her long, beautiful hair. We looked at pictures after. it’s funny because many Kurdish families love taking pictures, and it’s not until you go through the camera albums in their phones that you realize you’re in some of them! It’s a funny experience, but I also value this because they have documented many of the special moments we have together.

Please pray for Khonav’s cath tomorrow, she has waited long for this, and we pray that the results from the cath will be able to inform the doctors as to what surgery she needs. Thank you God for the wonderful medical staff, and for creating a way for beautiful Khonav to receive treatment.

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Trusting God for Khonav

Posted December 20, 2019 by Alena

Today, Joela and I brought lovely Khonav home to the Shevet house! She was supposed to have a catheterization on Thursday, but instead had a CT scan, so the hospital called to say she could come home until her catheterization. Hopefully it be scheduled for next week.

Her mother greeted us with her inherent warmth and benevolence, embracing us and saying a blessing. It was a very quick discharge, so we were done in about five minutes! They were happy to be back at Shevet upon arriving, to sleep in their bed and eat their own food! Please pray for our beautiful Khonav as she is looking towards her cath! Please also pray that we could continue to be like older sisters to her.

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The teddy bear

Posted December 20, 2019 by Michelle

written by Helen

We went to Sheba hospital today with a little lad called Rovar. Whilst there I visited a young lady of 14 years called Khonav. She had just been told she was allowed up out of bed to visit the bathroom, but was concerned that the nurse had walked away leaving the blood pressure cuff on. I took the cuff off, so that she was free to go.

When she came back, I asked her if she was too big for a teddy bear. She held out her hand. I placed the teddy in her hand, and she smiled and held it close to her. Mum got up and hugged me. Funny how a teddy bear can cross the language barrier. When I left, she smiled and waved.

Khonav was supposed to have a catheterization but the plan got changed during the day. Instead of a cath, she had a CT Scan which confirmed her diagnosis. After that, Khonav and her mum were taken to their room.

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First assessment

Posted December 18, 2019 by Georgia

Today was Khonav’s first “official” day at the hospital, despite her ER visit when she first arrived. She is settling in well and I think really enjoying her time in Israel. She went to the beach for the first time yesterday, although she was too tired to walk the 5 minute journey home, and we had to collect her in the car. It seems like they have grateful hearts for everything and I know this attitude of not grumbling is very beautiful to God.

Thankfully, today at the cardiology clinic, things went smoothly. It was very special to spend the day with Khonav and her mum, and with many of the other families. It felt a bit like everyone in the hospital was Kurdish today! Israa’s father was able to help navigate the new families around the hospital, and translate into Bahdini.

Khonav’s mum held my hand as we sat behind the curtain separating Khonav as she had her echo done. It was nice to be together and I hope she feels welcome and confident with the doctors here.

The cardiologist explained that despite the low saturations, he saw on her echo that her heart is functioning relatively well; she has a VSD and a problem with her pulmonary artery. Tomorrow he will carry out a diagnostic catheterisation, and get a better idea of her situation including the state of her coronary arteries so they can plan a surgery.

We all enjoyed a lunch together, and then Khonav was admitted into the secondary ICU. She will have the catheterisation tomorrow, so please pray that she will be safe and it will be successful for her

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Welcome to Israel

Posted December 14, 2019 by Georgia

Khonav and her mother arrived in Israel this morning, traveling from Kurdistan with another child, Halbast, and his mother. They were escorted from Kurdistan by our Shevet head nurse Colin, as we were concerned that both of these children might need oxygen given during the flight and could become unstable during their journey here.

I woke up to Colin calling me, saying that they had arrived and Khonav’s oxygen saturations had dropped dangerously low, so the airport doctor in Israel wanted to call an ambulance and transfer her immediately to Sheba ER. Co-worker Jana and I got up quickly as we realised a second car was needed to bring Halbast home, releasing Julio to translate for Khonav at the hospital.

The updates kept coming from Colin: “Her saturation has dropped to 40%”… “she’s improving, she’s stabilizing…” “the airport has not called an ambulance….”. Thank God that we don’t have to do any of these things in our own strength, but only we are joining in with what God has already laid out before us!

So, after we met them, Julio and I took Khonav to the emergency room of the hospital. Khonav is 14 years old, and very beautiful. She was very tired during the time I was with her today, and her whole body looks blue. Her main diagnosis is Tetralogy of Fallot, which is a combination of different structural heart defects. In addition to this, her body has developed some additional blood vessels to help provide oxygen to her body. She has never had any surgery before, and isn’t on any medication. Her normal oxygen saturation is around 60-75%. It seems a miracle that she has lived this long with a heart with so many complex problems.

Today we observed the problems of her heart condition in the ER. As her blood was drawn for the test, we were stunned by the colour of it; almost black, and very thick. Khonav was put on IV fluids to help hydrate her and improve her oxygen, however after one bag had infused, her oxygen saturations were as low as 30%.

Praise God that after another few hours of lying down and another infusion, she was stable at her usual saturations of between 60-75%.

Her mother was strong throughout the difficult day, despite her tiredness. I loved to see how she was caring for Khonav, and was able to be in a good spirit. We also received news from the mums back at our home, that they were waiting to welcome them, and wishing Khonav well.

We were able to bring her home after many hours in the ER. She will return to the hospital for her “official” first assessment on Wednesday, and hopefully to be admitted for a diagnostic catheterisation. Please pray for Khonav, that she will settle in well to our home, and that she and her mum will feel loved and welcome. Please also pray for her safety and healing of her heart in God’s timing and under his perfect care.

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