"But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15b)

woensdag 29 juni 2016

Isabel 2

I wrote last week with happy news that we were going home, so very excited. Then we had a last test on Thursday, to look for cause for the reflux. I was advised against it by several people, and for it by others. Eventually I decided to do it, but expected no surprises. On Friday afternoon I received a call that the paediatric surgeon wanted to see me on Saturday morning. This was a lovely man, but he had news. There seems to be an abnormality in Isabel's bowels that necessitate immediate surgery. He made sure that I understood that if we do not react, an emergency could arise that would give Isabel 6 hours before death. I got the point.

So, this morning I send through his motivational letter, just to be told that our medical aid does not cover any kind of congenital problem. Not exactly sure why. Carl is coming down for the surgery, everything is organised, except the medical aid. Our savings and all support have been depleted by the medical tests and treatment up to this point. We honestly thought we were covered in the event of hospitalisation. So, we want to ask that if there are people that do feel lead to help us out (we don't even know how much yet), to please do so urgently. If you do not feel lead, please ignore the request.

I keep thinking of the song: the steadfast love of the Lord never fadeth. He has carried us through deep waters the last few weeks. We continue to hang onto Him.

Waar we dachten dat we donderdag elkaar weer zouden ontmoeten in Zambia is het plaatje verandert naar woensdag in Zuid Afrika.
Afgelopen week heeft isabel nog een test ondergaan voor haar maag en slokdarm werking. Hier vondt de arts dat er iets niet goed is met haar 12 vingerige darm. Het lijkt of deze los zit. A.s. donderdag zal de chirurg gaan kijken en opereren als dit nodig blijkt te zijn. We zijn dankbaar dat dit naar voren is gekomen ongeacht of dit de hoofdzaak is voor haar trage ontwikkeling. Als deze darm zou draaien zou dit een levens bedreigende situatie geven. ( we kunnen nu maar dankbaar zijn dat alles zo langzaam gegaan is met de papieren.) Ik denk dat we een dezer dagen haar nederlandse paspoort kunnen ophalen. Prijs de Heere!)

Willen jullie bidden dat alles mag goedgaan en dat dit de oplossing zal zijn voor haar trage ontwikkeling. Willen jullie ook a.u.b. bidden dat de nodige financieen er zullen zijn voor a.s.s donderdag. De verzekering heeft de claim afgewezen omdat dit al voor haar geboorte is ontwikkeld. 

zondag 19 juni 2016

Isabel

This is little Isabel, our daughter born October last year. As mentioned before she has been real slow growing in many ways. In April her head circumference platoed and the pediatrician in Lusaka send me to South Africa for testing.

It's been two months now, so let me try and summarize where we are. We've had two battles while being here.

First has been trying to find the reason for Isabel's lack in growth and development. We've been to see quite a few different doctors, sending for a range of tests. To spare you the details: all physical tests have been normal. We could still do genetic testing- but decided it is not worth the money, since it wont change the treatment. We will probably still do three tests: two of them testing her brain's perception of visual and auditory stimuli and then a test to try and find the reason for her reflux. Meanwhile, we are doing speech-, occupational- and physiotherapy. The idea is to keep going for a few weeks, and then to do it by ourselves at home.



This brings me to battle two: getting back home. Isabel's travel papers were confiscated at the airport on arrival, and after two months we are still not able to travel. We will visit the dutch embassy again tomorrow morning (we've tried this from the south african and zambian angles numerous times)- really praying that we will have a real breakthrough tomorrow. This has been a difficult seperation on all of us (carl and the children came to south africa for two and a half weeks to break the time).

Just before you think I'm all negative, we have an entire list of points of thanks. We've seen God's provision that never seems to end. I promise to write down the whole testimony soon as this is history.

For now will you thank God with us for Isabel's life and health, for all the people who have helped us, housed us, clothed us, and blessed us in so many ways. And will you pray that our family can be united soon.