Karim's First Day in America (Prayers before statue of the Blessed Mother)

Spiritual Friendship ^ | July 17, 2007 | Fr. Antonio Elfeghali

[NYer]

Today we began the day with a very early doctor appointment. We saw the dermatologist who disagreed with the doctor from Lebanon. He says what Karim has is a disease called Olmstead's Syndrome. Only four people in the whole world have had it and it is incurable. It is a skin mutation that is congenital. He will refer us to a plastic surgeon to consider surgery to remove the thick skin around Karim's hands and feet and do a skin graft from his thighs. This doctor is very optimistic that Karim will walk on the plane on the way home. He is going to try some cream for the sores. If it helps, he will give us more samples. He is also recommending a visit with an eye doctor because Karim cannot close his eyes all the way. He could be in danger of eventual blindness. So he set up an appointment for next Wednesday. He is also optimistic that once the hand surgery heals, that the orthopaedic surgeon could recommend prosthetics. The fingers that we thought were under the skin are no more. They have fallen off according to the doctor. How sad.

After the doctor appointment Ebtisam asked to be taken to a Catholic church with a statue of Mary. She has a very strong devotion to Mary and so does Karim. We went to church and we all prayed in front of the statue. Ebtisam had tears in her eyes. She, too, believes a miracle will happen. We then went outside where there is a huge statue of the pieta. We prayed there, too. I told her that I have been praying for many days for Jesus to heal Karim through a miracle. I suggested to her that perhaps Mary is leading her to Jesus. She responded that she already knows this in her heart.

Over and over today she thanked me for bringing them here and told me she wants God to bless me all the days of my life and my family. I do not want anything to look as if it is because of "me." God led me to this. It was not my own doing. I gave her a gift of a bathrobe and matching gown and she told me she will not wear it. She wants to keep it as a treasure until the day she dies. This is very humbling. It is diffiult for me to take praise and thanks as abundantly as she has been giving it to me. But, I know she is so thankful because she shed tears of joy. She is a lot like me. We both shed tears today together a few times. We are friends, even though we cannot talk much to each other. We understand the love that flows between us, though. We understand that Karim is a bond that holds us together and will forever hold us together across the continents. Who would ever have dreamed that I would have a friend, or two or three in Lebanon?

Finally, the greatest gift I received today was two kisses on my cheek from Karim. I feel like Jesus Himself planted those kisses on my cheek. Another taste of heaven!! Keep prayers coming. Liz

[NYer]

Blogger photos don't always post properly in the forum but here is a picture of Ebtisam, Karim's mother.

This picture of Ebtisam crying out of joy after she got the visas for the US. It is a miracle for her son. Today, she had to go with Karim from my town to the Syrian border to get her passports stamped by Syrians. Before she left, she prayed to "Saydet Talle" (Our Lady of the Hill = Virgin Mary) saying: "Please Saydet Talle help me to get my passport stamped. You helped me from the beginning, do not abandon me today.

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This is Catholic faith in action. It began when Fr. Elfeghali sought to help a poor family and was guided to this one. Here is one of his reflections on Ebtisam.

This is the moment I reflect on when I consider the pain that Karim's mother has endured since his disease began to ravage his little body during the first year of his life. Little did she know the horror she was to witness as her little boy grew and began to shy away from the world where the stares of strangers and the disfigurement of disease would cause him to become "trapped" in his own little world. How could a mother bear this pain? Mary rejoiced when her Son, Jesus, rose from the dead and ascended into heaven. She had hope in her heart that one day she would, indeed, be with Him again, in the heavenly paradise. This hope of Mary's is what gives me hope for Karim. I know that God already answered the prayers of so many people when He stirred their hearts to donate their time and financial resources to the fundraiser for Karim. Now He has provided the visas for Karim and his mother to travel to Michigan. They will arrive on Monday, July 16th. I am ready to welcome them into my home. I put my hope and faith into what I believe is God's will to heal Karim and to reveal His glory through this miracle. I pray that Karim will be physically healed through the doctors in Muskegon, and that he, too, will be spiritually healed in the way God wills. I have to be honest. I am praying for a great miracle to occur in this little guy's life. I want bells to ring, choirs to sing and prayers of thanksgiving to be heard from Michigan to Lebanon and Syria, that God has healed this child of His. Join me in prayer for Karim. Let God know that he is in your heart, as well. Pound on the doors of heaven with this plea - that Karim will be healed!!

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Please remember Karim and his family in your prayers!

[franky1]

The Lord be with Karim and his family

[NYer]

Again, I'm not sure if these blogger photos can be seen (I can see them but not sure about you). Here is a picture of Karim with Liz who has arranged all of these medical treatments for him.

That there are only 4 known cases of Olmstead's disease is amazing ... 4 out of 7 billion people.

[AliVeritas]

May our Lord who knows suffering as well as the pain his mother endured from his suffering, bless and keep them.

[Biggirl]

Prayers for Karim.

[AnAmericanMother]

Poor little lamb! What an awful burden for a tiny child to have to bear! Only four cases in the world -- and incurable!

Most heartfelt prayers for the child, his mother, and everyone who's trying to help him.

[NYer]

Thank you for those prayers! I will continue post updates on Karim so we can all track his progress and ‘watch’ him walk onto the airplane for his return home.