Meningocele ... No, Miracle!

"Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name ..."

The Chinese medical community thought they had it right. The Americans agreed. The best neurosurgeons in the world concurred. Meningocele, they all said. It made sense. There was an abnormally high incidence of that particulary malady in her little corner of the world. And she had all the classic symptoms. The little lump had all the characteristics of the congenital defect that haunts too many of God's little children, especially His Asian babies. So we prepared ourselves for what that meant. Now, to be sure in Lia Faith's case, the condition was of the less significant variety and could be easily repaired. But, still there could be complications. The doctors have the obligation to make sure you know that in any circumstance.

"So I dance with Cinderella, while she is here in my arms ..."

This little malady, manifested as a lump on the back of her head, was probably a contributing factor in Lia Faith being abandoned when she was a mere four months old. In hopes that someone could fix her little problem before it got worse and turned into something more significant and unknown. Our hearts certainly break for parents who may not have access to proper medical care and who make decisions in the absence of such important information. Maybe one day, the world class medical care that we in the U.S. enjoy (and sometimes take for granted) will be available to the rest of the world's children. But for now, we're just honored that God would allow us to do what we can to take care of a few of them.

"Can any of the kids just take a picture without 'funny' eyes."

And so in Lia Faith's case, we arranged for her to have surgery to repair the meningocele. We were blessed to be introduced to some wonderful doctors at Children's Hospital, through the International Adoption Clinic. Lia's primary surgeon, Dr. Blount proved to be an amazing doctor, always concerned first about his patient while making every effort to comfort his patient's parents. God even assigned an assistant surgeon who had spent time in the very province Lia Faith was born studying the very condition with which she had been diagnosed. Dr. Fleming told us that he had spent three months in the children's hospital in Taiyuan three years ago studying, of all things, meningocele! Now, if we weren't ready to fix this little problem with this team of physicians, no one could. We are very thankful for the Children's Hospital, Dr. Blount, and Dr. Fleming for being prepared.

"Believe ..."

Funny thing is, on the way to the operating room, God decided to fix this problem Himself and grant the miracle that many had been praying for for Lia Faith. Only an hour into the anticipated 3-5 hour surgery, Dr. Blount emerged smiling with great news. "We were wrong. Lia Faith simply had a mass of skin and hair underneath the surface of her head." He removed it and pronounced her healed and said she'd be able to go home within 24 hours, instead of the 5-7 days we were anticipating!!! A miracle no longer in the making, but delivered instead to a little girl and her grateful family. Finally, Lia Faith's miracle!!

We are grateful for those who have prayed for Lia Faith and for those who came this day to be witness to His mighty hand at work. Thanks Granny, Memaw & Pawpaw, and Donna & Jesse for being here for Lia. Laine, Candace, and Quan also got to be here to see Him, giver of everything, reach down and pat His little girl on the head - thanks Laine! And thanks to our pastor, Bro. Eddie, who played with Lily Grace and took her for lunch, and then offered prayers of thanks for Lia's miracle. Sometimes God just decides to show us how almighty and powerful He really is.

"Ah, now that's better, eyes all focused!"

Praise God that with this miracle, Lia Faith will now be home for her first Easter Sunday with her forever family. And to celebrate her Daddy's birthday...

God Bless You,
Jerry, Connie, Austin, Lily Grace, and Lia Faith
Green, Party of Five