Update on GN's surgery status

Have you joined us in daily prayer for
our rescued spirit child, GN? 

We are praying every day, at 1:11pm (Ghana Time),

that is 9:11a EST/8:11a CST through July 1st.

 Leave us a comment to let us know you are praying with us.

It seems I cannot escape God’s continued reminder His grace is sufficient for me, for us.  Why do people suffer?  Why are God’s plans sometimes so difficult?  How much can one person go through?  I’m sure these or others like these are familiar to many.  Truth is I’m not sure any of us will have the true, complete answer this side of Heaven. 

So, what is happening with GN’s progress…

Tuesday, June 18^th – Admitting & Procurement

A full day yesterday, included getting GN admitted into the hospital, pharmacy visits to purchase the shunt, other medical supplies, and of course additional unexpected expenses.  One of many things we take for granted in the US.  When you go for surgery here, we just show up and the doctors, nurses, administration, and various other hospital staff personnel handle all of the coordination of medication and supplies to perform the surgery.  They had been assured, this was everything needed. 

Wednesday, June 19^th – More Procurement, blood work, and more blood work

Today GN was to have pre-op blood work to prepare for surgery first thing tomorrow morning.  Unfortunately, when they arrived at the hospital this morning they discovered not only had the blood work not been done, but the hospital staff was waiting on Dave/Ellen to get this done.  First, they had to procure the necessary supplies (vials, etc.) from the lab (1/4 mile or so down the road from the hospital), then return to the hospital for the blood work to be drawn.  4 vials of blood were taken from our sweet boy, and back to the lab they went, only to discover 2 had begun to clot and needed to be redone.  So, 2 more vials were taken back to the hospital to be REDONE.  Oh, poor sweet baby GN.  Then, Ellen, practically ran back to the lab.  The blood work is being flown to Accra, expected to have results back at 4pm tomorrow afternoon.  While Ellen was running back to the lab, Dave was back at the pharmacy procuring MORE medication and supplies for surgery.  Yeah, there were MORE items not disclosed yesterday, needed for surgery.

Nothing about this process has been easy for them, as they take care of these arrangements for GN.  Nothing.

What does all this mean?

Concern – if GN’s blood work does not come back until 4PM tomorrow, will he be able to have surgery tomorrow?  And, if not, what impact is this to the overall process, as Friday may not be an option for surgery?  Will he be able to stay, will he have to give up his bed…?    There is no use asking all these questions.  The point is to pray.  The point is, if nothing else, God has proven over and over, His timing is always perfect.  Since Day 1 of GN entering our lives, God has shown how perfectly timing has worked out.      

Why does GN have this abnormality?  Why must he suffer?  Why are all the details and plans necessary for his surgery so difficult?  I was reading something on prayer for healing.  It reminded me of Paul’s writing in 2 Corinthians.  A Godly man of great faith, who had been a vessel of God for major healing in his time, did not find healing for his own ailments.  He begged for healing, for the Lord to remove this “thorn”, yet that was not God’s plan.  And, instead of being discouraged, instead of being frustrated, he glorified God.  He rejoiced in even these frustrations.  He rejoiced and he chose to walked in faith, believing this was a reminder to him to continue to lean on the only one who can carry it all.  So, here again, the Lord is reminding me – “My grace is sufficient for you…”  It’s pretty humorous really, as I have been running into this message just about every day, everywhere I turn. 

I don’t know why this process for GN’s healing is difficult, cumbersome, confusing, and/or whatever descriptive term that fits best.  I don’t know God’s ultimate reasoning or plans, but I have seen a glimpse.  We have seen a glimpse, a taste of the extraordinary situation building in the sole purpose of glorifying God.  We have seen a glimpse of the extraordinary purpose the restoration of GN’s life will have in the culture of “spirit children”.  Though there have been difficult steps, long days, moments of confusion, multiple running trips to the lab and pharmacy, additional expenses, cultural/language differences and many, many more - God is always near, He has a plan, and His plan is in perfect timing.  Lord, we lay our burden down.  We lay GN at your feet.  We intercede for this precious sweet baby boy, and ask for your divine timing to provide speedy lab results, earlier than anticipated.  We pray for surgery schedules to be wide open, allowing GN’s surgery to continue tomorrow.  And, Lord, we thank you and praise you for all you have done, are doing, and are about to do.

Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior,
    who daily bears our burdens.
²⁰ Our God is a God who saves;
    from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death. Psalms 68:19-21

Thanks Dave/Ellen for forwarding below video link...information on the type of procedure GN will undergo:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yb9dSjDykpI