ISAIAH'S CHRISTMAS GIFT

Isaiah

God bless the United States for having compassion on those in desperate need!  Isaiah (Isaias in Spanish) was one of those who was blessed and helped and given an extension of life by United States immigration officers several years ago.  Isaiah was five years old. He was the youngest child of our friend Lydia in Nuevo Progreso, Mexico.

When Isaiah was born, we along with some friends from Brownsville, Texas visited Lydia and we prayed for her and helped her name her new little boy. Lydia was a single parent and life was always a challenge for her, but she loved all of her children and took care of them the best she could.  Five years passed and the next time we saw Lydia she was begging for help on the streets of Nuevo Progreso.  Isaiah was very ill.  Lydia had been given permission by the city to ask anyone she could find for help.

Isaiah was blind, couldn't speak and was unable to sit up or stand.

We learned that Isaiah had a tumor in his head and that a lot of money would be needed in order to treat him.  At the same time, our Texas friends contacted doctors in Brownsville and found one who was willing to treat Isaiah if we could get him into Texas.  That’s when doors were opened for Isaiah and the Lord helped him.

Early one afternoon we went to Lydia’s house, Lloyd picked Isaiah up in his arms, put him in our Jeep and along with his mother, we headed for the International Bridge. We parked the Jeep near the office and Lloyd carried the helpless child into the Customs and Immigration office where we were met with frowns from the group of people trying to get visas and also from the officers behind the counters. Lloyd hurriedly explained that there was a doctor waiting on the other side of the border if they would give us permission to take him across.

Of course there were decisions to be made, questions asked and time kept passing by. Lloyd laid Isaiah down on the cool tile floor and tried to make him comfortable, but Isaiah kept rolling around restlessly, gripping his head. Finally after making us promise we would return Isaiah and his mother to Mexico within 2 days, United States Immigration officers granted us permission to take Isaiah to the doctor who was waiting for us in Brownsville.

After a 40 mile drive, we placed Isaiah in the doctor’s hands, planning to come back for him the next day. But plans were changed dramatically!  Isaiah’s condition was so severe that he was air lifted to Driscoll Children’s Hospital in Corpus Christi, Texas. There was no way we could keep our promise and return him to Mexico in 2 days.

Isaiah held my hand as we walked out of the hospital.

One of the best children’s surgeons in the United States operated on Isaiah and removed a large cancerous tumor from his head. Isaiah was in Corpus Christi for 30 days, during which time we visited once or twice. His mother Lydia remained at his bedside or in a room nearby all that time, even though she worried about her other children who were left in the care of her oldest daughter. Finally they called and said we could come and get Isaiah.

We will never forget the experience of walking into Isaiah’s room and seeing a beautiful five year old child who could see us, hear us and talk to us. He was so happy! His eyes were bright with excitement!  We passed a McDonalds in the hospital lobby and he insisted we go in and get a treat.

It was December 23rd and there were Christmas lights everywhere on trees, on fences, in windows and hanging over city streets.  “Mira! Mira!” (Look! Look!) he kept crying!  For the entire 2 hour trip home Isaiah exclaimed over all the Christmas lights and the displays in yards. It was all new to him and he loved it.

Isaiah in our van. He kept shouting, "Look! Look!" at the Christmas lights.

 When we drove up outside Lydia’s little dwelling in Nuevo Progreso, several of her children came running out to meet us. We opened the doors of the van and the lights came on, illuminating Isaiah who was now standing up. They said, “Who is that? That’s not Isaiah!” and they stood speechless for moments.  Finally Lydia lifted him out and stood him beside her while everyone pressed around him wanting to touch him.  It was overwhelming.  Isaiah was home and the family was together again.

We made sure the records in the Immigration office were updated on Isaiah’s return although we couldn’t keep our promise of returning him in 2 days.

Time went by and doctors in Mexico told Lydia that Isaiah needed further treatments to completely get rid of the cancer. But treatments were almost impossible because the nearest facilities were 400 miles away.  Friends helped Lydia take Isaiah to Ciudad Victoria once or twice, but it wasn’t enough.

Isaiah after one treatment for cancer.

At Christmas time that year Isaiah had been given the gift of an extra six months of happy and normal life with his family. Lydia took him to church and he played with the neighborhood children.  He had changed from the limp and helpless and blind child who cried all the time to one who never stopped smiling. Around Easter the next year he passed away. 

“And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him.” Mark 1:41