On the evening of February 4th, 1999, my husband and I welcomed our only daughter into the world. She was round and pink with a head full of dark hair and we were instantly smitten by her. The nurse wrapped her in a blanket and handed her to me—she was the loveliest thing I’d ever seen!
Moments later, the nurse leaned over and said, “I need to take her for a minute.” My daughter was rushed to a nearby examining table where nurses began suctioning her throat and doctors began filling the room. Something was terribly wrong.
Hours later, I followed my husband to the NICU where our girl was intubated with a breathing tube. Unbeknownst to us, she had been born with a benign tumor called a teratoma that had grown above her soft palate and was largely blocking her airway.
Through intensive surgery and weeks of recovery, the worry and fear we experienced was grueling. There were moments where we faced the unthinkable possibility of losing our daughter. At my lowest point, I remember leaning over her hospital bassinet and coming to the realization that God might not heal our baby. I was faced with this question:
Will I still be able to say that God is good if He chooses not to heal?
Oh, how I wrestled with that question! My prayers turned to cries, which turned to begging, which finally turned to…surrender. It was at that moment of surrender that I began to sing…
God is so good, He’s so good to me.
Over and over I sang that chorus, clinging to the Scripture, “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever!”(Psalm 107:1)
If you’ve ever experienced a serious medical challenge with a child or loved one, you know that sinking feeling of helplessness. There is, perhaps, no worse fear than the possibility of losing a life that is precious to you.
As you may know, Christians Care International has walked the healing journey with many families over the years. One of the most recent journeys has been with the family of our dear, sweet, Olivia, who is fighting for her life with a battle against Acute Leukemia. I can only imagine the worry and fear that has gripped Olivia’s parents as they helplessly stand by, hoping for the best.
My friends, let us stand in the gap for precious Olivia and for many others who deserve a fighting chance! As CCI assists Jewish orphans, widows, Holocaust survivors, and suffering families in Ukraine, let’s join hands in prayer and life-saving medical contributions. Without our help, there would be little chance for them to get the proper medical attention, or even have a chance at survival.
Along with supporting our Emergency Aid Program, I’d like to personally encourage you to reach out to someone close to you who is facing a medical challenge. Because my family went through it, I know how much it means to have people rally to your side.
Bringing hot meals, caring for our older children, purchasing gift cards, and offering to run errands for us were things people did during those weeks of medical crisis. I can’t tell you how wonderful even the smallest acts of kindness were!
Who needs your prayers and loving support during their current medical challenge? Will you find a way to reach out and support them? Thank you for standing in the gap. Your kindness will forever be remembered!
Walking the walk with all of you,
Jennifer Waddle, CCI Ministry Development Team