Thank you for praying for Donato.  It’s been a challenge to get on the email so I apologize for not updating you sooner, I just wanted to wait and send a full praise report.  It’s been a challenging couple of weeks as we’ve been teaching Donato how to live outside of the ‘bush of Africa”.

Dr. Bransford arranged a cat scan and it confirmed 2 severe fractures to the skull.  Watching this confused, scared boy struggle to lie flat for the scan and having to leave the room as he was wondering what this huge machine was going to do to him, really broke my heart.  Dr. Bransford explained that time was the key factor in Donato’s recovery.  The stiffness in his neck would probably correct itself with rest and warm towels.  The swelling should go down also with time.  Observing him over the next 2 weeks was critical in case meningitis set in or other complications.  Donato at this point was lethargic and weak, vomiting a lot and wanting to lie down only.  So we took him back to where we were staying (12 in a house) to care for him over Christmas. 

Christmas Eve, our family shared the Christmas story and we got the chance to talk to Donato about the gift Jesus was to the world. This sweet boy, who has hardly rsponded to anything, sat up and asked Jesus into his heart.  It was the best Chrsitmas Eve ever.  And since then a miracle happened.  He transformed before our eyes, being alert and engaged.  He smiled while opening gifts of new clothes and shoes on Christmas morning, he came to church with us, socialized over a huge dinner and even played silly games.  Saturday we all went to the elephant orphanage and he petted baby elephants and then we visited the giraffe center and fed them (see pic of Donato with a giraffe).  These are amazing experiences for him.  He started to help me get the kids in and out of the car, watching how I did the car seat and belts and copying me.  It’s all just an answer to prayer. 

Yesterday we took him back to Dr. Bransford for his 2 week follow-up and the Dr. was amazed at his improvement.  He said how Donato responds to him tells him so much more than looking at a scan.  And he could hardly believe it was the same boy as his recovery has been so fast.  We took out the stitches and the only thing remaining before taking him home to Sudan, is an eye check.  We have to go to a different hospital for that as there is only one reliable eye specialist in the country.  One eye is pulling to the side so we will take him on Friday and he will go back to Sudan on Tuesday with our doctor.  Pray for these last few details for him.  Sabet left today for the Calvary Chapel Mission Conference in California and so I am now looking after Donato alone.  We really appreciate all your prayers and financial  help in caring for him.

1. Flying in an airplane
2. Riding in a car
3. Tarmac Roads
4. Petrol station
5. Living in a House
6. Turning on a light switch
7. Turning on a tap for water
8. Watching TV
9. Sleeping in a bed
10. Taking a shower and it was hot
11. Using a toilet and toilet paper
12. Brushing his teeth with a toothbrush and toothpaste
13. Eating food 3 times a day
14. Buying food in a shop
15. Using a washing machine to wash his clothes
16. Hospital/Doctors
17. New Clothes and Shoes
18. Unwrapping a gift
19. Elephants and giraffes
20. Fellowship with Christians
21. God’s amazing love and grace.
22. GETTING SAVED!!!

We have the most amazing prayer chain, thank you for your prayers for Donato.  Here’s how the Lord has been answering them so far….Tuesday we got in the car to drive to the airstip still not knowing if Donato had a seat on the second flight.  As we started driving I got a text message that he was confirmed!!  50 of us held hands and circled him at the airstrip and prayed for continued favor with Kenyan immigration.  It brought tears to my eyes to look at him in this circle of protection, when a week before he was lying in a ditch and left for dead without a single person to help him..  Immigration in Lokichoggio were very kind and understanding, giving us a 3 month entry pass.  Donato traveled well but seemed disoriented at times.  He had no luggage and wore only ripped clothing and flip-flops to travel out of Sudan.  When we got to Nairobi it was cold compared to Sudan and I felt so bad for him but I also was not wearing a sweater so I covered him with my kanga.  Yesterday I talked to Dr. Bransford, an American missionary doctor at Bethany Kids in Kijabe, and he authorized our cat scan at MP Shah Hospital for today.  This alone has saved us money at it will cost only $70 as a Bethany Kids patient.  Dr. Bransford is an amazing doctor who helped us 8 years ago when we brought out a young man that had been attacked by a hyena.  Donato is very quiet and I’m sure the big city is overwhelming.  Yesterday we gave him some new clothes and it’s the first time we’ve seen him smile since the attack.  Please continue to pray for all the examinations, that any underlying problems would be revealed.  We’ll keep you posted.  

The family has agreed and today we are flying him to Nairobi.  His family wanted to send one person to travel with him but the high cost of getting in and out of Sudan has made this not possible.   So Sabet and I will be solely responsible for him in Nairobi, accommodation and care as he goes back and forth to hospital and all his medical needs.  We continue to need your prayers in the following areas:

1. That we can secure him a connection flight from Loki (N. Kenya) to Nairobi as our charter flight only takes us half way.
2. That in light of the circumstances, immigration in Kenya would allow us entry as Donato has no passport.
3. For guidance to the right hospital and doctors to give proper investigation into the depth of the skull fracture.
4. For Donato, who has never left the ‘bush’ and will now face many challenges as he endures the busy city of Nairobi.
5. Pray the injuries to his head would not have any long term effects or damage.
6. Pray for our safety, Nairobi can be a dangerous place and I don’t think Donato could take further incidents of harm to him.
7. Pray for our time over Christmas as we care for him.
8. We have no idea of the cost (though medical costs are substantially cheaper than USA) but would appreciate any financial assistance to get this boy the medical help and care he needs.
9. We’re hoping he can be ready to travel back to Tonj on January 6th with our doctor, John Paul.