on earth as it is in heaven

Sweet friends,

I come to you today on my knees, asking, begging you to join me. My family and I are staying in prayer today over sweet Maggie Oatsvall. She is the daughter of my dear sweet friend Gwen (yes! gwen@amazima.org who answers all your questions and comments, haha). Maggie had surgery on her head last month (she had a scalp extender put in to prepare her skin for reconstructive surgery later on; her head was badly burnt in China when she was an infant.) The scalp extender was injected with saline as planned last week, but the skin was stretched too fast and opened (it is not supposed to do this!) causing an infection. Maggie is scheduled for emergency surgery this afternoon.

I am sad and angry that the surgery may have to be re-done after a whole month of discomfort for sweet little Maggie, not to mention a lot of transitioning and sacrificing by her whole family, especially her mom (they are pretty much house-bound due to the open port in Maggie's head.) I know, as Gwen and I discussed last night, that God can do a miracle for Maggie. I also know that if he doesn't, He is still God, He is still good, and He will lead the Oatsvalls down this path He has for them.

I also ask for prayer for Gwen. If you don't know her, you should. She is a courageous warrior. She is one of very few people who really get my heart, and she is one of even fewer people who live completely by faith, completely trusting, worrying only about today and totally obeying the Lord. She and her husband Scott are amazimg people with huge hearts for the orphans of the world. Even in the midst of all this with Maggie, they are bringing two more little ones home from UGANDA. When they recently were asked by an orphanage here in Uganda to consider taking a boy who has some special needs, they excitedly agreed to pray about it. COME ON! How many people in the middle of a series of surgeries with their first special needs child would just jump on taking another one? ONLY faithful servants, that is for sure. I so overflow with love for this family who have taken me as their sister and come along side me wholeheartedly.

Oh please cover them in prayer today. Ask that they feel filled with the Peace that transcends all understanding, ask that they feel courage and strength for all God has called them to, ask that they feel refresfed, the beautiful children of God that they are. Ask for wisdom and ease for the doctors that care for Maggie, and freedom from fear and pain for this sweet child of the King who has been trough so much already.

Here they are, my precious ones! Maggie bandaged and resilient, Gwen displaying her orphan-advocate T-shirt, boldly declaring God's word and love!

Gwen, I love you. You make my heart sing. I am always inspired by your blind faith, your crazy, overwhelming love for the Father, His children, and all those around you. I am so blessed to call you my sister.