Ellie Update #4

For those of you who haven't been following the blog long enough to know about Ellie, here's what you've been missing:

Ellie
Update on Ellie
The First Ellie Sponsorship Update
Ellie Update #3

For those of you who do know our sweet Ellie, read on!

I wanted to share some incredible news with you!

I believe that together, we have been part of yet another miracle in Ellie's life.

I just received word that our sweet Ellie will more than likely not require heart surgery at all!

Because of proper healthcare, medication, nutrition, and I believe, lots of prayer, the hole in Ellie's heart is actually closing on it's own. This occasionally happens when children are born with a ventricular septal defect but typically only when it is detected early and monitored very closely.  Ellie got such a late start with medical attention, not to mention being malnourished, so it just didn't seem possible that she would avoid surgery.

But with God, all things are possible.

The doctor was simply astounded at how far she has come.  She will go back for another visit in March but the doctor is fully expecting to see continued positive progress.

I truly believe this is a miracle and Ellie is going to have quite an amazing testimony to share one day.

Several Austin churches are continuing to take regular trips to Guatemala so we'll be able to keep track of sweet Ellie for a long time to come.  In fact, the Rush family will be spending a week there this summer.

While I feel certain you are rejoicing with me at this wonderful news, you may also be wondering what this means as far as your generous donation goes.

There are two options available to any of you who made monetary contributions.

I have spoken with World Help and they were very quick to reassure me that if anyone would like to have their donation returned, they would be more than happy to do so.  I completely understand if you choose this option as you fully believed that your money was going to be spent on a critical surgery that is no longer needed.  You can simply contact World Help directly (worldhelp.net or 800-541-6691) and they will see that you are reimbursed.

The second option is one that I hope you will prayerfully consider.

There are always children in and out of the Rescue Center that are in need of cleft palate surgery.  In fact, our missions director just returned from Guatemala last week and said there is a baby there right now who needs cleft palate surgery in a very bad way.  The cost for these reconstructive surgeries varies due to the severity of the cleft palate.

I believe that with the money we raised, we have the opportunity to pay for at least two and possibly three cleft palate surgeries.

If you choose to leave your money in the "Ellie Fund", it will now be used for as many cleft palate surgeries as we can cover.

There are groups going to Guatemala in March, June, and July so I will try my best to get some before and after pictures of these precious little ones to share with you.

I look forward to continuing to share with you all the amazing things that God is doing in Guatemala.

Thank you so much for being a blessing to so many!

Lana Rush

Here's a new picture of our sweet girl.... growing up and looking great!  (Sorry about the snotty nose.  The kids in the Rescue Center just seem to keep one - at least it's clear!)