It has been quite a while since I last posted anything, and several of you have been e-mailing me "complaining." Needless to say, life with 5 kids 10 and under has been busy, very challenging at times, exhausting, but GOOD. A friend asked me the other day if we had any regrets about hosting Afeefa, and without hesitation every member of our family would give a resounding "No Way!" We are so blessed to care for this precious little child of God. We love her as our own, and it has been such an honor to care for her.
Last night (when I should have been sleeping) I was thinking a lot about the last month and a half with Afeefa. I was amazed when I thought again about how many people are praying for her, her family and for us. I was also remembering with a smile on my face a conversation we had at the dinner table a couple of weeks ago. The kids were all wondering whether Afeefa has a middle name (we now know she does; Amatulla, which means servant of God in Arabic), then they proceeded to come up with middle names that they thought would be fitting. In the end, Joseph said that her middle name should be Hope because God has given her and her family new hope and because we Hope she will love Jesus and see not just with her eyes, but with her heart. We love her given name, but I can't help but think about Hope now every time I look at her. Then, last Sunday night we went to an outdoor worship service that our church's praise team was leading. Afeefa clapped and danced with all of the songs. One of the songs that has never touched me so deeply was one called "I Have a Hope." One of the lines in the song says, "He (Jesus) takes my darkness and He turns it into light." Those words hit me because we now know with certainty that Afeefa is AT LEAST seeing light----her world of darkness has been given the gift of light. What an amazing thing! And we are placing our hope in Christ to touch her eyes and allow her to see all of the beauties that this world has for her to behold. Please, join us in this prayer for her.
Today, some new signs of hope for Afeefa's vision: Caleb and Micah were sitting on the couch next to me while I held Afeefa. I looked at Afeefa and said, "Afeefa, look at me. Touch my face." She turned toward me and touched my face. I repeated this with her several times to make sure it wasn't my imagination, and she did it each time. Then, Micah said, "Afeefa, look at me! Touch my face!" She turned toward Micah and touched his face! Then, Caleb did it, and she did it again. I don't know about you, but this gives me hope for Afeefa's eyes---hope that perhaps she is already seeing more than just light. It was such a blessing to see her engage in this little game---something I know she wouldn't have done when she first came here.
Tuesday I take Afeefa to Detroit for another follow-up visit with Dr. Trese. Pray for safe travel and for a good appointment. Pray that he will be able to confirm what we see as good progress.
"Put your HOPE in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Saviour and my God." ~Psalm 42:5
