Well, we just finished our first full day in Iraq. Sarah and I were able to spend some time in the home of Leah, one of the kids who will be going to Turkey with us at the end of the week for surgery. She is a precious little one-year-old who has downs syndrome (I didn't realize that a large percentage of kids with downs also have heart defects). She has very low muscle tone, but her mother has been diligently working with her doing physical therapy exercises and - according to Jessica - has improved and developed amazingly in just the last couple of weeks.
What a blessing to meet this wonderful family, be served water, pepsi, tea, then more water, then grapes (you definitely don't go hungry around here), and then to be reminded that even though it is so easy to see the monumental differences from our culture, when it comes to being parents, we have everything in common. The desire to provide for, protect and love your child crosses cultures. The desperation a parent feels to fight for their child's life exists in its fullest regardless of who you are or where you live. I didn't need language to understand this mother's overwhelming yearning for the health and prosperity of her daughter. And that is who I met today: a mom who loves her daughter deeply, who places nothing of earthly value higher than her child's well-being, and who prays to God every night for his hand of blessing over her children.
I wish you could've met her, too...
4 comments:
me too :-) I am praying for you my sweet friend!
Me three! I am also praying for you, Leigh!!!
I'm glad to hear there was some Pepsi in that spread! At least you got some caffeine with all that liquid. : ) I'm so glad you got to spend a part of your day with a mom who, I'm SURE, was encouraged by your ability to understand exactly how she feels. I hope that was just the first of several more opportunities to do the same thing over the next few days. Praying the banquet goes well tomorrow! And that there are more than enough soccer balls to go around! : )
We did meet her--sorta--thanks to you. I would never have known about the existence of that mother and daughter if you hadn't told me.
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