We continue to work very hard on Alvin's behalf. Patty has been to many offices, called many prominent individuals, and written many letters. Alvin's birth mom has gone personally to some of the most important offices to advocate for the life of her precious son. At least one other organization is officially stepping in to help us. We are doing everything we know to do...We just pray in the end it is enough to save Alvin.
I (Melodie) was able to spend about an hour counseling Alvin today. I am trained in Biblical counseling and it is my joy to bring hope to the hurting. It was hard at first for little ol' me, who has faced little to no "real" suffering in my life, to counsel Alvin on suffering and the Believer, death, and Heaven. Yet thankfully I am counseling from the everlasting truths of the Word of God, and not my own personal experiences. I teared up at the beginning (being more sensitive after seeing his dressings being changed) and then his mother started tearing up, and then Alvin, in classic teenager fashion said "You aren't going to cry again Mom, are you?" Alvin is very intelligent and I spoke to him as if he were an adult. He really listened to what I had to say, was alert and responsive to my questions, and had a really good question of his own at the end. What a privilege to play this small part in Alvin's story.
The sore on Alvin's lower back has deteriorated to the point that some of his intestine is visible and the nurses have to be extra careful when dressing the sores so the intestines don't come out! A wonderful nurse's aid, who happens to be the wife of a very dear friend of my family (who we know from the Baptist Mid Mission's Bible school) came back to work from sick leave and immediately took up the task of changing Alvin's dressings - a job the rest of the nurses refused to do (the doctor had been changing them up till now). What a blessing for me to walk in and see Lucy caring so tenderly for this special boy. I can really see God leading many people to help Alvin.
Alvin has been so sweet during all of this. He called Patty today telling her how worried he was about how hard she was working to fight for him, how he thought she was loosing a lot of weight and clearly stressing about Alvin's condition. Here he is, wasting away, worried about the healthy person who is trying to save him! He really is such a sweet boy.
We would like to emphasize again the fund we have set up for Alvin. The money received will go towards things like his medical care in country, travel expenses to get him out of the country, and medical expenses in the US. Click here to donate.
Please continue to pray for Alvin:
-That he will continue to be strong and corageous through this horrible trial.
-That he will not deteriorate any more physically, and he would gain more weight and become stable enough for travel.
-That those fighting for Alvin will know who to go to and what to say.
-That God would move the hearts of those who have the power to let Alvin travel to the USA.
Thank you for following Alvin's story and for keeping him in your prayers!
-Melodie (AoH Volunteer)
