Hearts Touched and Healed
Sharing God’s love in a very real and tangible way is deeply evident as The Joshua Fund provides much needed funding to our ministry partner in Israel who arranges life-saving heart surgeries for children from neighboring Iraq and Gaza. It is an important example of coming together to bless both Israel and her neighbors through God’s grace and in the name of Jesus according to Matthew 25.
One example of this unique opportunity can be illustrated through the story of Fatima. It was a mild spring day when this effervescent five year old and her mother traveled from Northern Iraq to Israel with a team of loving volunteers in order for Fatima to undergo surgery to correct her combination of heart defects called Tetralogy of Fallot. It is a relatively common genetic heart defect which can express itself in up to four malformations. Fatima’s heart had three such related problems which affected her in every area of life, including an overall blue tint to her skin, clubbing of her fingers, marginalized growth and overall poor blood circulation. During their five week stay in Israel, Fatima received not only the highest quality of advanced medical care available, but also a loving environment to heal both physically and emotionally, as well as lifelong friendships with a caring staff and volunteers.
Fatima’s spunky and fun loving personality won over every person with whom she came in contact. Through many traumatic procedures and preparations for surgery, one of the Israeli doctors was able to speak words of comfort to her mother in Arabic and bring clarity to the symptoms that were troubling Fatima. And on the day of surgery, this little child who giggles and leaps around in joy underwent six and a half hours of surgery with a professional team of 15 people to correct each of the debilitating problems with her heart.
Once all the malformations were corrected, Fatima’s heart was restarted or ‘resurrected’ through a process of three methods applied in unison–potassium, warmth and reintroduction of blood into her system. As Fatima was transferred to the recovery room, a flood of emotions overcame her mother–fear, hope, confusion and gratitude. It was the culmination of a tremendous journey, and the beginning of yet another.
While most days were filled with what seemed like endless medical tests and complex recovery from open heart surgery, there was also a very special day when Fatima saw the Mediterranean Sea for the very first time, frolicked in the gentle waves and built endless sand castles. All worries and concerns seemed to fade away in those few hours–what a joy that our Creator has given us such beauty to enjoy, to soothe our weary hearts and minds. This was another profound example of His love and grace at work.
Following her initial recovery and follow up examinations near the end of five weeks in Israel, Fatima and her mother returned home to their family in Northern Iraq with a deep expression of gratitude to God and to the team of medical professionals and loving volunteers that reached out to help this special little girl. Will you please pray with us that God will continue to work deeply in this family with His healing touch and eternal, unquenchable love?
Much like Fatima, the Lord has provided for several dozen children each year to come to advanced medical facilities in Israel for surgical correction of life-threatening congenital heart defects. The Joshua Fund is honored to be able to participate in this ongoing effort to reach out to individuals and families in the epicenter region in such lasting ways.
Thank you for standing with us to bless those in need throughout the epicenter–it is the generous prayers and support of individuals around the world through which the Lord has allowed us to share His love with these precious children and their families.
Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad; Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope. – Acts 2:26
