As you know, we are in the process of looking for medical care for Daniel in the U.S. and I wanted to give you an update as to how that process is going.
We have put together a packet of information that includes a short newsletter-type publication telling Daniel's story, general information about Fishers of Men and the ministry here at Refuge Ranch, along with, of course, results from medical tests that Daniel has had performed here in Mexico.
We have sent that packet to 5 different hospitals in the U.S. These are hospitals with whom we have been able to make personal contact through individuals already involved with those institutions. The good news? Nobody has contacted us to say that they CAN'T take on Daniel's case. The bad news? Nobody has contacted us to say that they CAN take on Daniel's case.
(Up to the minute update: while uploading the pictures for this blog entry I checked our email. We just got our first rejection email from one of the institutions. They are unable to take Daniel's case mainly due to its complexity. Also, treating him would drain them of all the resources they have available to treat other international charity cases. We will continue to trust, wait and look!)
Besides these 5 institutions, I have also been in contact with a pediatric cardiologist in the Dallas area. For the last several months I have been following the blog of a little baby boy named Bowen. He is the son of the lead singer of the Christian music group "Sanctus Real". This group is originally from Toledo, OH (where I was born and the location of my home church); my home church also has several connections with this group. So, when I heard that the lead singer, Matt's, son had been diagnosed before birth with a serious congenital heart defect, I immediately began following their blog. (Check it out at: bowensheart.com ) I have left comments on several blog entries sharing a little bit about Daniel's situation. One of the other blog followers, whose son also suffers from a congenital heart defect, contacted me and has connected me with their pediatric cardiologist.
We have decided to wait to hear from these institutions before pursuing any others.
Daniel loves to "play" Connect Four - it's all filled up!
"Yeah, they all fall down!"There are days when I feel so hopeful. There are days when I feel so hopeless. There are days when Daniel's condition doesn't even seem real because he is so active and full of life: such a two year old! But, one look at his bluish fingernails or one listen to the cough that overtakes him due to a lack of oxygen after playing hard reminds me that his little heart isn't functioning correctly.
I really don't know what to think sometimes, other than to trust in God's sovereignty, His perfect wisdom and His perfect timing. While at times the hospitals seem willing to do all they can to help, other times comments are made that remind me that getting medical care in the U.S. is no small feat. It is difficult for non-U.S. citizens to get treatment in the U.S. and difficult for an institution to donate Daniel's care which will cost over $100,000 U.S. dollars! Daniel is dealing with defects in both his heart and lungs. His heart has been working harder than normal for nearly 3 years now and we know that it is enlarged. Therefore, until more testing is done we do not even know if Daniel's heart could handle surgery! But, we need a hospital willing to take his case to do the testing to find these things out!
(Securing a doctor and hospital is just the first step. We must then apply for a medical visa in order to be able to take Daniel to the U.S. and then find an organization willing to fly us to the U.S.)
So, after thinking through all of these things, time and time again, I sometimes feel like a hamster in one of those exercise wheels that runs and runs and doesn't get anywhere. My brain runs and runs and thinks and thinks and I always end up in one place: Daniel's life is in the Lord's hands; Daniel belongs to the Lord; God is sovereign; we just have to do our best to get Daniel the best care that we can and the rest is up to the Lord (opening the doors, healing him, etc.); we simply must love, care for and enjoy Daniel each day that we have him here at home with us.
"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." I Corinthians 13:13
Then I think: But isn't that all that we can do with anybody that we have here on earth? Love them, care for them and enjoy them until the Lord takes them home? Knowing that Daniel has a serious heart condition makes it seem so much more urgent to love him and enjoy him now, not knowing how long we will have him. But, isn't that true for everybody? We don't know when an accident could happen or a sudden illness could strike that could take away from us somebody that we assumed we would have around for a long time!
"Man's days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed." Job 14:5
So, Daniel is teaching me to love fully and try to live in THIS MOMENT, because this moment is all that I have. It is 6:32 a.m. 6:31 is gone and 6:33 has not yet arrived. Living that way is such a challenge! It is incredible how the small irritations in life can steal my joy, take my focus off of what is really important and trip me up to offend or hurt those that I love most! May the Lord help us too fully live now, in the fullness of His Spirit and His fruits!
"As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work." John 9:4
We truly covet your prayers in this whole situation: that the Lord's will would be done, because His will is perfect for each of us!
"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails." Proverbs 19:21
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