Well, we have a new one for a few days at least.
She is all of 5 years old.
We call her ‘Nannu.’
Nannu’s widowed mother and her older sister are at a government hospital. Her sister ‘Apu’ was born with a cleft palate. Plastic surgery was done some years ago to mend her lip, but her palate was still cleft – which meant that we could hardly understand Apu’s speech.
After working through the system (with many delays and frustrations) prayers were answered and Apu’s surgery took place a week ago at GT hospital in Mumbai. The plastic surgeon did a good job. The ward was surprisingly clean. Apu has been taken off the IV line and is taking clear liquids and moving towards solid food. Over the last few days Apu has also been phoning regularly. “You speak so nicely” said Nannu to her sister on the phone. We are then treated to a detailed description by Nannu of how much better her sister is talking.
Its wonderful to have 3 kids in the home.
Nannu is a little sprite. She is a small enthusiastic ball of energy.
She has taken to playing with Enoch’s old duplo blocks with a vengeance. The kids have been so kind to her. Enoch patiently plays with her for long stretches in the morning – and then Asha takes over for part of the afternoon. Nannu bounces up and down when Enoch returns from school at just before 7 PM. At night Nannu cuddles up to Asha as they sleep in Asha’s bed. We are mighty proud of how gentle Asha and Enoch are to their little ‘sister.’
Nannu should be with us for a few more days. We expect Apu to be discharged in a day or two from the hospital. When her mother and Apu return to Thane, Nannu will rejoin her family.
Nannu’s mother has been worshipping with us for a few years now. She has seen many hard things in her life – and continues to work through challenges. But this last year has seen a big change in her outlook and understanding. In June she took baptism and has been growing in faith. This freshness in her faith has rooted her whole outlook on life – she just seems so much more positive and ‘alive’ these days.
The church has also been faithfully looking after Nannu's mother. Looking after her during her long bouts of depression as well as when she was up. And with Apu’s surgery, we have seen that her mother’s help has not only been from our small fellowship – we are humbled to see the love of ladies from a number of other congregations who have visited Nannu’s mother and sister in the hospital and helped out in many practical ways.
Nannu mirrors some of her family history. She is almost painfully thin – her little arms are doll-like in an unpleasant way. She can cry easily – though considering the very tough knocks she has been through so far – she spends very little time crying. In fact what struck me these days is how radiant her smile is most of the time.
Nannu’s mind is as sharp as a tack. Her animated face and the constant chatter are a delight to behold. She switches topics rapidly – remembers tons – and loves to talk. Where will this girl go? What will be her destiny? Within her slight body lie the seeds of a woman who can shake the world.
What a privilege it is for us to host this little “daughter” of ours for a few days.
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