This past weekend I had one of those experiences that gives just a little bit more insight into the extravagant love of the Most High King whom I serve and devote my life to. I was compelled by a love that can only be accredited to Christ. The kind of love that compels a young boy to take a beating from his father when really it was meant for his younger brother. A love that compels a mother to take in a child out of the rain who is from "the other side of the tracks." A love that compels a father to spend all his savings to save his child's life.
The kind of love that would compel someone to spend ridiculous amounts on airfare, fly 11 hours and drive 2 more to then spend ONLY 3 hours with the one she loves. And in all that travelling, taking a risk. The risk that maybe the one she travelled to wouldn't remember her, or would be asleep that whole time, or just wouldn't receive her.
On Saturday I was welcomed into the home of a dear family, the Wallace's. Husband, wife and 2 little ones greeting me with hugs at the airport. Sunday morning, having made beans and rice for Dev and her father, and with small gifts of love it tow, we drove the 2 hours to find Dev in the PICU at St. Joseph's Children's Hospital.
When meeting Michelet, Dev's dad in the hallway, we exchanged a warm embrace and huge smiles! He then led us into Dev's room. She had just been given a new IV, and was very upset. I handed her the little baby doll I had brought. She took her in her arms right away. When Michelet asked if she remembered me, Amanda, she hesitantly looked and said, "Amanda." To help her remember I said to her, "heyou!" (this is what all the kids called us until the learned our names.) She gave a big smile then and kept saying, "hey you!" and giggling.
She came into my arms and sat on my lap playing for quite some time. She played with her doll and we sang all the songs we used to sing while at the clinic in Haiti. While still on my lap she began to shake. I wondered what it could be. The nurse thought it was just tired muscles. It turned out to be a high fever! The nurse then put cool cloths on her forehead and tummy. (I had the nurse put one on her baby doll too). Her dad was able to talk to her mom for the first time since leaving Haiti for the surgery. Listen to Dev's cute grown up conversation with her mom, "Yes, I am doing well. How is my brother? Has he died or he is alive?" (think in terms of "alive and well," rather than morbidly-I think it's a cultural way to converse). When, at the end of 3 short short short hours that passed as if it were only 20 minutes, saying goodbye felt a bit like leaving Haiti all over again. Somehow though, I had this idea that this was not the last I would see little Devekynabens!
For the next 24 hours Dev was in isolation as blood work was done, ect. All being negative to date-praise Jesus! And the most recent report being that Dev is up and walking around, playing in the play room and loving it!
My mama's heart just grows and grows for the children all across this planet earth! It is one that takes in joy and pain all at once and expands in ways that sees no limits in the fathomless depths of Christ's eternal love!
