Name: Ismael

Birthday:  June 20, 1988  

         Ismael is one of our special older boarders in the House of Hope.  He has been here for many years and will soon be 20 years old.  Ismael comes from a situation of deep poverty and his story is tragic but God has used it for good.

         Born in a Bedouin camp near Bethany, Ismael (we are told) was perfectly normal for the first few years of his life.  His father is mentally ill and his mother suffers from depression, so neither parent is able to work and support the large family.  When Ismael began to suffer from epileptic fits, no one in the family or camp took him to a doctor for treatment, and his condition worsened. 

         In what some would call chance (we call it God's providence), some Israeli soliders "happened" upon Ismael's tent when he was a small child.  They immediately took pity on him and told a social worker about the situation.  When Ismael arrived at the House of Hope, he was 12 years old.  The damage caused by the fits was irreversible, but he is now administered medicine to stop the episodes and is doing better. 

        Because of the brain damage he has experienced, Ismael does not speak and appears to understand little (but who can know).  He spends his days at a local center called Jemima learning with other disabled individuals but lives here in our boarding section.  Two of our volunteers work almost exclusively with Ismael as he needs constant supervision.  Ismael enjoys nightly devotions and is often smiling even though he can not express what he is feeling.

        Please pray that God uses Ismael in the lives of his family members.  Their situation is still terrible and we hope to see them turn to the Living God.  Our workers are sometimes able to visit their tent when Ismael is home on holiday weekends.  Pray for the volunteers working with Ismael, that they would know how to best serve him.  We thank God for Ismael's smile and courage to live each day in a body that doesn’t always do what he wants it to. Someday he will gain a new body and smile in the presence of God.

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Last modified: 11/08/07