Thursday, February 1, 2007
Filed by

Yesterday evening at sunset, our bus was passing the Dead Sea as we approached our crossing point to leave Israel, and early this morning driving to the Amman airport God provided a beautiful sunrise, pictured above, to herald this special day for Sakar. She is going home today to a new life with a healthy heart. It seems to me that the wonder and joy of this reality sparkles in her eys and her smile in everything she surveys. And she has seen alot in the past 36 hours!
 
Before we boarded our bus yesterday, it was a pleasure to have friends come by to visit our guests, and then join other friends to take Sakar and her father walking through the Old City of Jerusalem. Abu Sakar shared with us that it had been a dream for him to see this place, and the amazement of its fulfillment showed in his eyes as we visited first the Westerrn Wall, then the Temple Mount where Al Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock stand, and finally, the Garden Tomb (see photos in previous entry below). They not only learned more about the history of these places, Abu Sakar and his daughter have also had the chance to experience a taste of the reality of these different beliefs during their stay. Many people came into their lives from many lands and many religions while they were with us and at Save a Child's Heart. What a humbling privilege it is to get to be among them, and watch as the God of love does His holy work.
 
After we finished our walk, we paused only long enough to have some lunch, and headed to the bus station for our journey. Neither the morning walk nor the bus trip to Jordan diminished Sakar's spunkiness, as she moved around the bus filling different empty seats, seemingly perusing both the passengers and the scenery from different perspectives as we travelled. Before long, we were ready to say goodbye to Israel. Thank you for praying for our border crossing... we again had a short and easy crossing experience through the Israeli side. (These crossing points are one of the times that our patients are usually most anxious about, and Sakar becomes more timid at those times, sticking close by and becoming more serious.) We were also treated well at the Jordan crossing; one of the passport control officers came out and spoke with us for a moment, and shared about his own child. These little interactions do a lot to ease the tensions for our patients and their parents, and I always thank God for those special moments!  It was not until we cleared the Jordan crossing and were heading through the mountains to Amman by taxi that Sakar fell asleep on my shoulder.
 
After arriving at the guest flat, they were able to briefly visit the other Iraqi families still waiting to come to Israel and get a little sleep. It was rather late, so I did not join in on their reunion. Sakar and her father were picked up early this morning for the final leg of their trip home. As we rode to the airport, I was able to share a second email sent to them which we'd just received from a family who has been praying for them. Afterwards, I reminded him that many people have been praying for them and will keep on praying. He said, ''Thank you very much... I know, I know.'' It is quite touching to the families to receive your emails, and usually they are very quiet as they seem to let the reality of your messages sink in. Please don't be hesitant if you have thought about sending a message for one of them. Your emails and prayers are an encouragement for them, and for all of us who are part of the story God is writing through this.

When we left them at the airport, Sakar had that bright and engaging smile on her face as I hugged her goodbye with tears of joy. Her father expressed many many thanks to everyone who has been part of helping them receive this help.  Sakar's father said he will let us know as soon as he can that they are home safely, so to close our blog about Sakar, we will report to you when they notify us.

For my part, it has been a joy to share my experiences of the relationship which came about because of her need for heart repair surgery. Now her heart is healthy again - what a blessing! Precious too is knowing that many special seeds of God's love and grace have been planted inside her, and she has many treasures in her heart to open as she ponders her experiences and her future. To me this is like a picture of the promise of God to give us new hearts, healed and whole, and the treasure He gives to us for a hope and a future. How wonderful it is to be loved by a God like that, and give Him thanks for all He has done!

 

 

Wednesday, January 31, 2007

What a day to close out Sakar's month in Israel!  Overnight hospitality in the Shevet Achim center from staff members Bethany and Martha (hmmm....hospitality, Bethany, and Martha....haven't we heard a story about this somewhere before?) was followed today by a trip with Alex, Jamie, and Donna to key biblical sites in Jerusalem, including the Western Wall (above) and Temple Mount (below).
Some journalists came along, since the story of an Iraqi girl coming to Israel for heart surgery  has drawn media attention.  Veteran Israeli journalist Nati Shohat of the Flash 90 agency has been deeply touched by this mission of mercy, and kindly supplied these copyrighted photos. And most significantly, an Arab Christian brother was alongside to explain to Sakar and her father the history behind these places they'd only heard about before.
The last stop was the Garden Tomb, which our little group had to themselves for a few minutes. This made for an open discussion of the gospel accounts of the death and resurrection of Jesus, perhaps the greatest difference of understanding between Muslims and Christians.  
On this sweet note of the empty tomb it was time to pack up and begin the long trip back across the Jordan river to Amman, and then on to Iraq.  Donna is traveling with Sakar and father, and they are still en route as this report is filed.  Look for her final report tomorrow.

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Filed by

For Sakar and her father, I am sure today will be totally unforgettable. This long-awaited day was not like anyone expected.  Abu Sakar ("father of Sakar") found out today that there was a bombing in their village in Iraq, and his brother was injured and in the hospital. He found out that all of the windows were blown out of his own house. But he was very thankful to learn that his wife and other two children were ok. The news of this tragedy sparked a change of plans for the timing of Sakar's dismissal. And thankfully, because she has made such good progress, after a final echo on her heart, the doctors were able to dismiss her today to leave for Iraq.
 
David, Alex, Jamie and I were driving from the Gaza border to the hospital with a van load of Palestinian patients when we got the news about what had happened. We discussed how to help the family, and began making contact with our friends in Amman about getting them back to Jordan so they can fly home as soon as possible. We took time to pray and ask for God's directions and connections to help us fit together all of the parts involved in helping the Gaza patients and the things we needed to address to get Sakar and her father home. He has faithfully helped us through the day as we had plans change, and change again!
 
I had alerted the church in Amman which is hosting our families that it might be the end of this week when Sakar was dismissed, and they were happily expecting them, and looking forward to seeing Sakar and her father again. No one expected the change of timing due to an act of terror, but the families and the church are ready to welcome them there. We asked them to begin praying for the brother of Abu Sakar, and his family members, immediately.  
 



After fond farewells to their new friends at Save a Child's Heart, this evening we drove Sakar and father from the hospital to the Shevet Achim center in Jerusalem to spend the night, and tomorrow we will leave for Jordan.

As dinner was prepared here, Abu Sakar called his family and found that his brother was better, and that his wife and children are ok.  Thanks be to God!



Please join with us in prayer for the comfort of all of Sakar's family at this very unique time while they experience the joy of her return home, along with thankfulness for her uncle's survival, while also dealing with the reality of the effects of terror on their home and lives.

Please pray for us as we cross the borders tomorrow, and return to Amman. In the coming days, they will leave for home... and our prayers can cover them all the way.

Filed by

Sakar came to the hospital today from the SACH house to have a follow up echocardiogram on her heart. She was given a very good report, for which we're thankful! When I saw her she was anxiously waiting for her friend Niga to come out of surgery. After she knew Niga was OK, she wandered down to the surgery ward to visit with the other children there. She spent some time with Hemen, much to his delight.
She is doing very well, and both she and her father are looking forward to the day in the next few weeks when they can return home to Iraq.

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Lord's Day, January 21, 2007