Springtime in the desert

We didn’t know what Harmattan season meant until the wind started blowing. We thought West Texas winds were bad until we moved here. The sand comes in through every crack in the house and leaves a layer of dust everywhere. Thankfully this season is short and we really do have more nice days here than this.

This season has also been marked with special people who we have come to love. Let me introduce you to Marcel. He is 12 years old and was born in Mauritania. His parents are from other parts of Africa and are living here because they were able to find work in Nouakchott. His father is a guard at our house. Marcel was born with club feet and couldn’t walk on his own for his first 12 years of life. When Corey and I heard of his condition, we immediately prayed for God to open a door to help him. Corey spent some time in the middle of the desert this winter and met some American doctors who work at a hospital in Chinguetti (an ancient city in Mauritania). He made a call to one of the doctors to see if they would be able to help Marcel. They immediately agreed and within days Marcel and his mom were on a journey to the desert for many weeks of casting, and finally a small surgery. He spent nine weeks in Chinguetti and returned with straighter feet, a determined mind and the ability to be more independent. God has faithfully answered our prayers for this little boy and I have no doubt has big plans for his future. Marcel has a long road still ahead of him. His muscles need to strengthen, the braces on his feet don’t fit properly, and his living conditions are hard. As hard as it is to spend the days with him and send him back to a hard place, I am trusting God to handle the details as he always does. Marcel has a sweet family who work hard and love the Lord. If he is strong enough, he will go back to school in the fall. We are already seeing God pave the way for this. We are heading home for the summer and my heart hurts leaving this place. I’m also so excited to see friends and family, eat delicious food and walk around in a clean and safe place. Please continue to pray for this land and the people who live in Mauritania. I have seen God work in so many ways and I know He will continue to bless the people who serve him here.