Kaitlin was born in Jakarta and it was soon discovered that her intestines were not connected. She came into this world with a life-threatening condition that required emergency surgery.  For many of us, the initial information was sketchy and incomplete, but one thing was for certain. She needed NLLB's help! Her parents sold first their car and later their home in order to pay for emergency surgeries.  Hope was diminishing..... while bills and a medical crisis were reaching levels out of this world for her parents!

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She was evacuated to Singapore due to the severity of her condition.  From the vague reports I received, it looked like a very straight forward surgical need, but one that required care outside of Indonesia.  Soon people joined and a fund was set up and she was here in Singapore.  What started out as a surgical need, soon became apparent that it was much more complicated and would require some long term care.  Still, I believe that God provided for Kaitlin to come here and for her life to be spared and He is continuing to provide for her and her family.  While her needs exceeded any of our initial expectations, we now see an end in sight! Kaitlin arrived in a critical state and required 15 days of ICU care and multiple surgeries.  She was badly infected, hanging on to life itself.  

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There was a time when the accounting staff would visit her at the bedside of Kaitlin on a daily basis and ask for money or ask her how she intended to pay this bill.  Dewi was alone and carrying

this burden of intimidation without support.  She was becoming very depressed, not to mention physically exhausted.  She was able to share this with me one day in tears and complete despair and I enlisted the help of a friend here who met with the Business Heads to discuss the situation.  NLLB helped supply diapers and formula for much less by purchasing it outside the hospital.  The hospital was willing to help find ways, even these small ways decrease the bill.  I reviewed her bill and nothing is being done that is unnecessary.  The Professor in charge has told the nurses not to use any supplies or equipment unnecessarily on Kaitlin.  Kaitlin is a well-loved and well-cared for little one.

 

It has been a very long and rocky road for Kaitlin.  She spent the beginning of her life in 4 different hospitals - often on the brink of death, and now she is preparing for life AT HOME!  I believe she will be in Singapore for another 4-8 weeks (but hopefully some of that out of the hospital before she returns to Jakarta).  I have spoken to the nurses about Dewi staying in Singapore for a few weeks outside of the hospital before taking Kaitlin home (in the event of her needing some medical support with dressing changes or feeding). This way... when she finally goes home, both she and Dewi are well prepared and comfortable.

Kaitlin needed a second surgery according to the doctor and the family sold their home to pay for that.... and 

she was getting more and more ill. (Her father is a butcher in a market, working for his uncle.)

Frankly, they cannot do this type of surgery in Indonesia because the baby would need a type of temporary 

nutritional substance via large vein infusion that is not available.  Kaitlin continued to deteriorate.  A group of

friends funded her to come to Singapore and funds were raised.  She has been here for 3 months now, mostly

in ICU.  She arrived extremely infected and with intestines that were leaking.  She has had 2 surgeries.

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Through a series of unbelievable miracles, little Kaitlyn had multiple surgeries and her family had sold everything they owned and were still thousands in debt, when God provided for her bills to be paid in full... even before she had finished her surgeries.  She remained hospitalized for 1 year.

 

SO many times I was told that she would "not make it through the night" and she certainly had a long road to recovery.  She should be severely malnourished with poor intestinal function and yet you can see she is a very healthy 4 yr old!  That's right. TODAY IS HER BIRTHDAY!  

 

I PRAISE GOD FOR KAITLYN AND HER FAMILY!

I was blessed to watch His hand upon her life and the lives of those around her!  She is a reminder of HIS GREAT LOVE FOR US and that MIRACLES HAPPEN!

 

Just a few of the amazing things that happened that year:

    Her father came to the Lord.

    She survived long enough to get to Singapore (unexpected).

    Her bills were paid in full.

    She needed a special machine that was her source of feeding

          which cost thousands of dollars and I found a company to

          loan one! (They repeatedly said NO and then a sudden YES)

    She needed to own a machine to take back to Indonesia and 

          a man that helped me with used wheelchairs got a used 

          one donated just the week I needed it.  I was able to get

          it refurbished for $120!  

 

Over and over a need would occur, often urgently... and prayers were being said for Kaitlynaround the world..... and those prayers were answered over and over.  

 

Each time I see her picture I am reminded to PRAY... TO HAVE FAITH... and TO PRAISE!