A Shocking News

I was shocked by what recently happened back at home.

When I called home this morning, my oldest brother told me that my niece went through a major surgery of her life two weeks ago.

About nine years ago, my niece was born with a hole in the heart. I don't know the medical term for this condition. She was born purplish in the skin. Though cute and loving looking, she always looked pale and was kept from doing those strenous activities that many kids love to do. Because of her condition (which basically means lack of oxigenated blood), my sis-in-law raised her with great care because any cuts or injuries could be extremely damaging and disastrous. She went through a lot of minor surgeries that treat the condition. The last and major one is the most important yet critical. In April last year, she was prepared to go for the major surgery. However, upon checking her blood and other conditions, the chance was only 50-50 survival. The doctor was reluctant to take the risk. So the surgery was indefinitely postponed. This is not uncommon according to the doctor, because many people in the similar condition waited and even never got operated because of the risk, and carried this condition all their lives.

Two weeks ago, my oldest brother and sis-in-law checked her into the KL hospital they used to go. The doctor re-examined and expressed more confidence in the surgery with her condition. The doctor advised that that could be the only better chance she could have for her life. To my oldest brother, it was a stressful decision to make for his daughter. But he took the risk for his daughter.

In the KL hospital, the surgery ended and my niece went into comma. For a week, she didn't wake up and her pulse, blood pressure went from bad to worse, to critical.....my sis-in-law fainted a few times because the pulse and blood pressure dropped below the critical level a few times. My niece almost didn't survive......I could imagine the kind of worry and pain that my oldest brother, sis-in-law and dad suffered, which was almost like what we suffered 5 years old when my mum passed away.

Thank God after one week, her condition stabilised. She woke up, but unfortunately she woke up fearful. She cries and has not been able to get into sleep at night. She sleeps in the day time and gets up in the middle of the night and stays up all night. She says she feels someone like a devil touching her at night. She always cries for more protection. Her other behavior's also changed. She no longer likes to write and draw like before. The doctor is now referring her to some psychological treatment.

For the first time in Peru, I really wish so much to be home sooner. God assured me this morning from my devotion in Psalms 29:11, "The LORD (The voice of the Lord that is powerful, in context) gives STRENGTH to his people; the LORD blesses his people with PEACE." I really pray for God's voice to bring peace and strength to my niece against the voice of the devil that is disturbing her soul now. I pray that God will send people to speak His Peace and Strength to her heart before SY and I reach home. O God, we are far, but you are NOT. We're limited, but you are NOT. I believe in a GOD that made the universe and fills the hearts of His every child. In His name, I will believe. AMEN.

My friends and family who are reading this....pray and believe along with me.