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.