Handkerchiefs, A Baby, & Puzzled Doctors

"God gave Paul the power to do unusual miracles, so that even when 

handkerchiefs or cloths that had touched his skin were placed on sick people, 

they were healed of their diseases..."Acts 19:11-12 (NLT)

     Baby Tet-chan, one of our 4 Down Syndrome foster children, has been in the hospital most of the 7 months of his life.  He has had one heart surgery and is waiting for the 2nd to repair a hole in his heart.  He has used all his energy to breath and stay alive and thus has had calories left to help him gain weight.  The doctors said that once he reached 5 kg (11lbs.) they would do the surgery.  They did not expect him to reach that weight any time soon.  He also has many complicating factors.

     Sarah, Ako, and I pray for him every time we go to the hospital.  In addition, Sarah has been bringing handkerchiefs to church and having as many people as possible lay hands on them and pray for healing for Tet-chan.  For months she has been taking the handkerchiefs to the hospital.  We have been amazed that the nurses are very careful to keep these handkerchiefs on the baby as much as possible.  Yesterday, Tuesday, 12/9/08, the doctors did a catheterization on Tet-chan to determine the current condition of his heart.  They also ran other tests.

     Regarding the tests on Tet-chan.  The doctors are puzzled, and I have to be very careful how I explain this so as to be accurate.  5 improvements the doctors can’t easily explain:

1.  He has gained weight much faster than expected.  He is now almost 5 kg.

2.  His liver function was abnormal but now is within acceptable levels.

3.  Based on his current condition and medical history he should not be able to produce red blood cells.  Now his body is producing red blood cells.

4.  The pressure gradient in his lungs is now within an acceptable range although he still has a hole in his heart. His pulmonary hypertension is gone.

5.   Previously, they thought two of his heart valves were so deformed they would be almost impossible to repair.  Now they have determined they are not so bad and can be repaired.

As a result of all these new factors the doctors now can't decide if he needs heart surgery now or wait until he is a year old!?  They said they need to wait and see what happens.

When Sarah said, "We've been praying and will continue to," the doctor didn't know how to respond.  Sarah and Ako have shared frequently with the doctors.  We are cooperating with them and let them know that we are praying for God to guide and give them wisdom. So, Tet-chan is being healed, it's just not complete yet.  We have people praying all over the world for little Tet-chan.  Keep praying, thanking God, and believing.