July 15, 2008
Dear Family in Yeshua,
Ami has begun doing "new stuff" as he put it in the "gym" in the hospital, working out with weights. He's very happy.
My oldest son Aaron (27) is staying at the hospital this week, and giving me a much needed break. I've been with Ami 24/7 for 4 months now, with my other kids filling in a few days a week, as it's required for an adult to be with their children all the time.
I've noticed that Ami copes better emotionally when he's at the hospital than he does at home. Physically he is stronger and so is doing better in that way at home, but when he's home he goes out with his friends, walking around town, sitting down and talking with people, and the next day he is very depressed. He says he should be going out with friends, playing basketball, but instead he's going back to the hospital. He's seeing what he's lost, and it's huge. He's looking at his left foot, which looks mangled, and is shorter than the right now because of the first 3 toes which are partially amputated, at the skin grafts, which look appalling, at the many bulging scars, at his fingers that don't work well, at the left arm which hangs almost lifeless - it's daunting for a 15 year old. He has a pressure suit for the burns and all the scars which goes from the top of his neck to the bottom of his foot on the left side, and down to his mid-calf on the right, and now he has to put silicon pieces under the pressure suit to further soften and lighten the scars. He wears a brace on his right hand at night to lengthen the tendons, and a small brace on his left hand during the day to straighten out the clawing effect in his hand -
He doesn't hear well, he still has much shrapnel in his eyes which doctors are hoping won't come out, and he's in constant pain. It's easy for a 15 year old to feel he's lost more than he could ever regain.
When I open the Bible, the Lord is faithful to encourage. Psalm 68:19-21 says:
19 Blessed be the Lord,
Who daily loads us with benefits,
The God of our salvation! Selah
20 Our God is the God of salvation;
And to GOD the Lord belong escapes from death.
21 But God will wound the head of His enemies,
The hairy scalp of the one who still goes on in his trespasses.
There are many psalms in which King David asks the Lord to crush his enemies, and those who want to kill him. I could never relate to those verses before, but since we experienced attempted murder, I find myself nodding my head in agreement with David!! However, as in the above verses - it is important to see - "the one who still goes on in his trespasses. It is always possible to repent of wickedness, and that, I believe, is God's heart. King David, in his expressions to the Lord, is nontheless practicing Romans 12:19: "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." (Deut. 32:35; Psalm 94:1) He's expressing his anger, frustration, fears to the Lord, but he's putting it into the Lord's hands to avenge. And he always comes out of these expressions with praises, and thanks giving for being delivered from those same enemies. We pray for the ones who did this to repent of their wickedness. Please pray with us in that direction - for their consciences to bother them, that they would turn themselves over to the authorities, and into the hands of the only One Who can forgive them and give them new hearts and renewed spirits.
Slowly, bits of information are coming forth which will hopefully further the investigation. Concerning the investigation, I can't give much detail, but your prayer is essential on this front as well. Please keep David in your prayers as he is doing a tremendous job, keeping communication flowing between other congregations, lawyers, and the law-enforcement agencies.
A Russian believer came to our fellowship one Shabbat, who is part of a fellowship that we have close ties with. She told us that she does therapeutic massage and that she felt very strongly from the Lord to try to help Ami. In Russia, they use massage for pain more than pain medication. We had one session on Friday after Ami got out for the weekend, and he was transported into the heavenlies, it relaxed him so much. She was able to work extensively with the left arm as she is a physical therapist as well. Zoya says she will not take any money from us, her payment will be when the pain is relieved. She has vast experience and has helped many people with chronic pain, but she said she's praying for the Lord to show her how to help Ami.
Another prayer point - When Ami was still in the first hospital, the principle and guidance counselor, along with his homeroom teacher, who have been very supportive from the very first, came to visit, and arranged his transfer to high school in Ariel. The education system here is very different than in Europe or North America, as our matriculation exams are extremely difficult, and begin in the 10th grade. Ami will be studying in a course of study which learns only the subjects for these matriculation exams, which will help him as he has so many other issues to face (more operations, inability to hear well and to write, etc.) As we were putting on his pressure bandages, he said, "How will I ever be able to go to school in these?" (They're hot). Please pray for this next big step - School starts here on September 1st.
We love you all - thank you being part of the fulfillment of the above verse- Blessed be the Lord who daily loads us with benefits -- another version says, who daily bears our burdens. Yes, the Lord has loaded us with blessings and the benefit of the strength and daily grace poured out on us as a result of your prayers. You are carrying this heavy load with us, and we are grateful.
In Yeshua,
Leah
