I know that so many of you are wanting a progress report on Francis. He is recovering very well. The dressing will be changed on Friday and it shouldn't be long before he begins physical therapy. His next surgery should take place in 6 to 10 weeks. It will be much more involved that this first one. His left elbow will need have the elbow and thumb scar tissue released with skin graft. Three of his fingers have grown together and must be seperated. Recovery will be longer. He will then have one more simple procedure to have done on his right hand and he is done.
Salifu saw a surgeon today for the first time. It appears he will only need one operation to repair his damaged skull. He will then need about 3 months of observation to be sure everything is OK, then he too will be ready to go home.
I don't like to think about these children returning to such a place, but those are the terms of the visa. If we violate those terms, we will never be able to help any other children from Sierra Leone.
At times I have wondered how people could choose to be so evil to others. Someone looked at Francis and decided to stick that boys arms in boiling water. Fifteen minutes later, that boy was changed for life because of it. Someone chose to strike at little Salifu's head as he fell in his father's arms. Someone chose to line Hawa and all her girlfriends up next to the river where they had been chattering and washing clothes and cut their hands off. The power of just one choice is astounding.
Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Rarely can we undo the choices of others. We are only given the right to chose for ourselves. What sorts of choices did you make today and what will you do with tomorrow?
Ann