These people are some of our closest friends -- Matt & Liao Sha and their kids Barnabas & Amos. Barnabas will turn two in September (shares a birthdate with Titus). Beautiful baby Amos was just born in July! We got to snuggle him when he was fresh little newborn in the hospital.
A couple weeks before delivery an ultrasound revealed several tumors in Amos' heart. Since then more tumors have been found in his brain and he's been diagnosed with Tuberous sclerosis complex -- from the TSC website:
Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a genetic disorder that causes non-malignant tumors to form in many different organs, primarily in the brain, eyes, heart, kidney, skin and lungs. The aspects of TSC that most strongly impact quality of life are generally associated with the brain: seizures, developmental delay, intellectual disability and autism. However, many people with TSC are living independent, healthy lives and enjoying challenging professions
Matt & Liao Sha are grieving for their baby and stressed out trying to figure out what to do. They've begun the burdensome endeavor of relocating to the United States for treatment and support services. Chinese doctors are not trained to treat this condition because these babies are typically aborted. Relocating to the US is an immensely sad change of plans for Matt & Liao Sha, since they have planted their lives and hopes here in Changsha and all Liao Sha's family is here. Furthermore, it's a highly complicated move because Liao Sha has Chinese citizenship and Amos' citizenship is still being worked out. Yet, through all the grief, stress, depression and sleeplessness they've been trusting in Father. I respect their steadfast faith.
For us, there is nothing that is a higher priority right now than supporting Matt & Liao Sha. It's been our pleasure to take care of buddy Barnabas for a couple complete days -- from breakfast to bedtime, babysit at their house some, cook a meal, talk things through, help dig up info, run errands, accompany Liao Sha to the hospital.
Please join us in lifting up Matt & Liao Sha, Barnabas & Amos.
counting the graces
thank you Father for
glasses of cold water
the joy of being creative in small redecorating projects
rhythm and rest in nap-time quiet time
listening to testimonies shared by Auntie Wang
Jonathon potty-training like a champion!!!!!!
putting Jonathon's preschool arrangements in your hands, just waiting to see what you have planned for him
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Hi friend! We like to hear back from you. -- Rachel & Drew.