Precious Naftal

As I sit under a gorgeous old tree who's branches stretch to cover an entire yard, I find myself asking the Lord, why do some grow old while others die so young? We received the news this morning that 8 year old Naftal went to live with his heavenly Father last night. His suffering has ended; his pain is complete. He is no longer living with tumors attacking his organs. He is whole! He is dancing! He is another boy who has been loved into the hands of Jesus! What a hard but special job we have been given here?
I have many questions floating in my head unanswered, but I also find myself joyful today...joyful the suffering has ended. Joyful that our prayers for Naftal have been answered, not in the way we on Earth hoped for but answered just the same. I'm choosing to praise our God for His merciful ways today. I am reminded of the day Naftal arrived and he was called forward at church to be prayed over. He was so confident that he stood right up and was going to walk forward on his own. I stood up and reached for his hand to walk with him and his face was covered in a smile. He just needed someone to walk with him. He was confident in who is was in the Lord...it was just our job to hold his hand and support him down his path. A path that has ended in his Father's arms!
I do ask that you continue to spend this day in prayer...for Naftal's family who as of 6:30am had not been told the news. His father has spent countless hours the last 3 weeks traveling to and from the hospital to see his little boy. He has daily called morning and night to pray with the tia and Naftal. Pray God is his comfort and strength in his hour of need. Also, please be in prayer for Naftal's older brother who lives here with us that he will be comforted as well and able to spend time with his family and process what has happened. Please pray for Laura and Rebecca the two missionaries that work with Naftal's dorm...for their broken hearts to be healed, for a supernatural understanding of what has happened, for the words to share this information with the other boys and answer their many questions. Lastly, please pray for the tias who so selflessly gave themselves to this little boy in his last days. Pray God blesses them each for their service and comforts them as they continue working in the midst of sadness.
Thank you for your continued support through prayers.


And know in the midst of sadness that Fernanda is getting stronger daily! She now weighs a little over 7kg (15.5 pounds)! She has started TB (tuberculosis treatment) with no side effects! She has not vomited in 2 days! Our God is continuing to heal her! Keep the prayers coming at 9am every morning! We'll keep laying hands on her every day as well...begging our God to show up in bold ways in this adorable peanut!