Xiao Shan has her bionic ear!

Here’s the news you have been waiting for!

Xiao Shan’s operation is a success ! Her bionic ear is now in place!

Professor Charles Andrew van Hasselt, Chairman of Hear Talk Foundation, and Professor Michael Tong, the Honorary Secretary of Hear Talk Foundation, carried out the surgery.

When I arrived at her hospital room Xiao Shan was in a deep sleep, and was wearing mittens to prevent her from pulling at her drip and bandages. She slept for almost six hours after her operation. I was very aware of the noise the child in the next bed was making, and I wanted to ask the mother to keep him quiet, almost forgetting for a moment that Xiao Shan was deaf ! Well, not for much longer! I thank our heavenly Father that soon she will be able to hear the noise of other children!

I sat close to Xiao Shan’s bed, because I wanted her to see a familiar face as soon as she woke up. When she opened her eyes, she held her arms up to me and I could see she really wanted someone to comfort her. For me it was a beautiful moment, because I could offer her a mother’s love at a time in her life when she really needed it. The bandage around her head was making her itchy and uncomfortable but she seemed to relax as I massaged her neck.

It was very special to hold a bottle of milk so that she could have her first meal; she drank it quickly and seemed very hungry, but the drip in her arm and her mittens prevented her from holding her bottle. Still somewhat groggy Xiao Shan was confused at the sight of mittens and had an expression as if to say “are my hands okay ?”

While I was there, Professor van Hasselt came to visit her, examined the X-rays and pronounced everything excellent. That was so good to hear ! He returned later with his wife and three daughters, and they very kindly brought presents for Xiao Shan. The nurses in Union Hospital were very helpful and they all loved Xiao Shan and her beautiful smile.

For the next couple of hours she was like a celebrity because many people came to visit her including representatives from the Hear Talk Foundation, Cochlear, and Dr Gordon Soo and his three sons. My husband, Marlon observed the same thing the following day with the visit of another great friend of Christian Action, K.H. Ng and family, who had also showered Xiao Shan with gifts and attention.

We were all joking that we better be nice to Xiao Shan because she is displaying the potential to be a great leader! She insisted on getting what she wanted, refusing all the tempting cookies, but finally happy when I opened a packet of potato chips. She was so fussy about what she wanted, that we called her Princess! But at the end of the day she really is a sweetheart and it’s fabulous that she’s receiving love and presents to ease her through what would otherwise be traumatic to a three year old.

Xiao Shan is now with my dear friends Sue and Pete at the Home of Loving Faithfulness, where she will stay for the next two months. The Home provides life-long care for the physically and mentally handicapped in Hong Kong and has graciously helped many of our abandoned children in the past.

When I reflect on all that has happened since Xiao Shan was found in the grounds of our orphanage in Xining, I am overcome with gratitude for all those who partner with and support this ministry. I have also been consistently awed by our staff in Hong Kong and Mainland China, their hard work, passion and dedication to the children is second to none. Please continue to pray, spread the word and give so we can continue serving little angels like Xiao Shan.

Please keep praying that Xiao Shan’s wound will heal quickly, and that many more children may be helped in this way.

More good news next week!

Comments

[Adam]

Wonderful news ! From all the way on the other side of the world my wife, children and I have been reading about - and praying for Xiao Shan ! Thank you for all you and the team at Christian Action do for the abandoned and orphaned children.