Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Just to be with you, He gives EVERYthing!

"I've heard it said that a man would climb a mountain just to be with the one He loves. How many times has He broken that promise? It has never been done. Well I never climbed the highest mountains, but I walked the hill of Calvary. Just to be with you, I'd do anything. There's no price I would not pay. Just to be with you, I'll give anything. Yes, I'll give my life away. And I know that you don't understand the fullness of my love, how I died upon the cross for your sins, and I know that you don't realize how much that I give you, and I promise I would do it all again. Just to be with you, I've done everything. There's no price I did not pay. Just to be with you, I gave everything. Yes I gave my life away. " -Third Day


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!

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Devakynabens, you are blessed!






Devakynabens is the darling 2 year old wonder that captures the heart of all who see her. Her smile is shy and ever so sweet. A smile that shows itself for bubbles and baloons and stuffed puppets, but comes beaming out if ever a crowd is praising Jesus.

The first time I met Dev, she was clapping her hands to a worship song while sitting on her father's lap. He had come to our team's worship night seeking out prayer for his daughter's healing. She has multiple problems with her heart, requiring open heart surgery.

From that first week in Haiti, and the 4 weeks following, it was my aim to get her to a hospital for her surgery. AND NOW IT IS HAPPENING!!!! I left Haiti still trying, but at times it seemed hopeless. I knew I had to come to a place where I could honestly say to the Maker of the Universe, "You are in control. You have Dev in Your hands. You care for her even more. You have good and perfect plans for her. You will not leave her abandoned. You will come for her." And Oh, how He has!!!

Devakynabens flew into Florida last Friday. Her open-heart surgery is scheduled for Thursday morning at 8am. The surgery is much more complicated than it was at first thought to be. Please pray out of Psalm 121 for both Dev and Michellet. Pray for the Surgeons to be prepared for what they will do. Peace for Michellet. Miraculously quick healing for Dev!

(From Psalm 121) We serve a Lord who is Protector, He will not allow our foot to slip, nor will He allow the hand of the surgeons to slip. He never sleeps. No, our Protector never sleeps nor slumbers. Dev will have to be asleep for this surgery, but her LORD will not be. He is the shelter right by Michellet's side, when he is worried about his beloved daughter, he will find the shelter of His Lord. The Lord will keep Dev safe, He will protect her life. The Lord has protected her through earthquakes and rains. He has protected her travel to the USA. He will protect her for this surgery. He will protect her travel back home to her mom and brother. The Lord protects her coming in and her going out!!!!!!! Praise be the Covenant Maker and Keeper. The Creator of Heaven and earth!!!!!!