A day in the life of humanity

Gabriel has a severe heart condition called ‘tetralogy of fallot.’  In my limited medical knowledge, I have come to understand that this means he is not getting enough blood to his body.  The hole in his heart results in the two types of blood mixing together, which is coupled with the blockage of the pathway that is supposed to be carrying blood to his body.  He lives in a tiny, 11-year old body – unable to play or run or exert himself physically.  In America, if a child is born with this problem, he or she will typically undergo surgical repair before hitting 1 year of age and will then go on to live a normal life.  Without surgery, a child usually lives to be between 10 and 15 years of age.  You can do the math.  There is no hospital in Africa with the capacity and surgical expertise to operate on children like Gabriel, their only hope is to be put on a flight and sent abroad to a country that can.

As I have been blessed by knowing Gabriel, I have also been blessed through my interactions with his father.  The pain of being a parent completely helpless to do anything for your child is unbearable, along with the knowledge that IF your child just happened to be born in another country everything would be OK.  IF the Kingdom of Heaven reigned on earth and every child was born with the same opportunities and the same chances to live life in a just and equitable society, THEN I would not have to wake up each morning wondering why.  Only prayer remains.  I see the same quiet strength in another Congolese father I know whose daughter was abducted by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) on Christmas Day last year.  Every moment of every day all you can do is wonder…Will today be the day my child dies?  Will today be the day my child is set free and recovered?  Will today be the day a miracle will happen?