Update on Ami

[Lori Jones]

I didn't write last week as we were busy, and David and I actually just picked up and went away for two nights to the Dead Sea, which is our favorite get away. It was needed. We were able to leave Ami in Natan's and Ariel's capable hands, and this was a blessing!

Basketball and School
Ami played his first basketball game last Sunday. He played for one and a half quarters and made 3 points!! He said, "Oh, I wasn't really playing", meaning, it wasn't like before. Thursday and Friday were rough days for him emotionally - he felt he didn't have the strength to go on. He's mourning what he calls, the loss of his teenage years. It's hard for him to see his left foot in the shape that it's in, and honestly, it's hard for me also. Everything for him is a procedure, from taking a shower, to getting out and having to put special creams on his scars, to the pressure suit, and just getting dressed is painful for him. He has longer and longer periods of being able to joke his way through all the procedures, but sometimes it gets him down, which is understandable.

Yesterday, we went for therapy in the rehab hospital, and the occupational therapist said that she was amazed by the movement he has in his left hand's fingers that he didn't have before. Ami is very nonchalant about all this, but last week when he screwed the cap back onto a bottle with his left hand, I felt like doing cartwheels!!

Tonight he had another game, to which I was also barred :-). He came back happy, his team won by 20 points. He said he only made 4 points, but his defense was awesome!! Not many 15 year olds have the height that he has - 6'3" (1 meter 93 cm's), and you can imagine how scary it might be with Ami all over you as you try to pass the ball - formidable!!

School is coming along well, considering that he misses many days due to therapy and doctor's appointments. This Wednesday we'll have a meeting with his homeroom teacher, the principal, and guidance counselors, to discuss Math which is very difficult for Ami. He does have learning disabilities, and they are actually considering relieving him of Math and replacing it with Biology. The math that he's learning now is difficult, I personally can't make heads or tails out of it, and I know that in my day (1,000 years ago) we didn't learn that level of math in high school,( which means nothing as it's a whole new world now). Ami also did an extensive test this past month to determine what kind of help he is entitled to, and where he is at this point with the LD's. I see Ami much more motivated in his studies than ever before, and I am very grateful for the understanding and care the teaching staff has demonstrated.

Lazarus and Isaac
This Thursday we will have an appointment with the orthopedic surgeon who will advise us concerning surgery on Ami's left foot. Now that Ami is playing in basketball games, the filming for the investigative TV report has been pushed up to Nov. 16th. Ami is very excited that they'll be filming the game, which David and I will also be able to see. Please pray for the interviews that my kids will be doing also that day with the reporter. Praise the Lord that our lawyer will be with us as well, watching over the interviews to make sure that nothing will be asked or discussed that will harm any legal proceedings later on.
We've had many visitors from around the world, coming fairly regularly. David pointed out something to me which is true. The Bible recounts in John 12-

John 12:2&9
2Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him.

9Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.

Many are coming to see Ami who indeed, came back to us from the dead. I'm reminded of Hebrews 11:

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18 of whom it was said, "In Isaac your seed shall be called,"[ 19 concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.

This is God's mercy. The miracle of life and healing in Ami is incredible to behold. The miracles are continuing daily, and I believe that many believers are visiting because they want to be encouraged by seeing how the Lord has so mightily answered their prayers, for you have indeed labored in prayer for our son.

We never cease to be grateful. When people tell David and myself that it's wonderful that we still have a sense of humor and seem to have survived so well, we always say, "When the whole world has been praying for you - it's no wonder that we've been able to stand and keep on going forward!"

This Shabbat Joel Rosenberg and members of his Joshua Fund will be visiting and speaking, God willing. If you're in Israel - come and fellowship with us!

In Yeshua's mighty name,
Leah