Well, Steve is again in Chicago for the final visit with Vedat before his discharge. He landed safely Wednesday morning and has been familiarizing himself with Vedat’s routine. Things move pretty quickly. One the goals is for Steve to get Vedat’s care schedule on a more realistic time table. This has meant combining medication times, changing some events to the evenings, and a number of other small changes that, together, make for a huge change in Vedat’s life.
Steve and Vedat have finished moving all of Vedat’s things to the transition apartment and are now completely responsible for maintaining his care. Perhaps the greatest surprise for Steve is the discovery that Vedat will require care through the night, at 11:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m. We thought we were done with the sleepless nights now that our two year old is sleeping through the night. Please pray that this can be changed.
Regarding Vedat’s spiritual and emotional state, please pray for GOD to give Vedat the courage and peace to deal with these changes. While he is very exited, he is also very anxious. Several of the staff have commented on the change they have noticed in Vedat since Steve’s arrival. He is more enthusiastic and exited about his discharge, but he is also terrified. At one point yesterday, Vedat broke down in tears. He cried that he could not “go on living this way,” that he could not stand the thought of being in a wheelchair, having to work so hard just to do what for you and I is as easy as breathing. He just wanted to give up.
He said he was afraid of being different. (here in the hospital, all the children are in a wheelchair or some device.) Apparently back home, children used to tease him. He told of children throwing rocks at someone in a wheelchair. While this is a serious concern, it is also a tremendous blessing. It means that Vedat is comfortable enough with Steve to open up about his fears, something he does not do often, or with many people.
Vedat is working very, very hard. Steve is exhausted just trying to keep up with his schedule. Vedat’s determination and effort are commendable and should inspire us all. He will change the world someday!
How do we describe the miracle that is God? How can we put into minute words the grandeur and majesty that He possesses? And yet, through all of His glory, He deems it His pleasure to reach down into our lives, to care for and love us as His children, and to teach us lessons that astound, confound and change us forever. This is what I have seen since this experience with Vedat began. From CBC’s first mention of his need, my wife Susan and I have felt a certain connection to this cause. We were unsure of what God wanted from us. Then, we were shepherds for Arctic Edge, CBC’s vacation bible school last summer. This was where I first saw Vedat. I cannot express the thrill in my heart as I watched him walk the aisle to accept Christ. Knowing that we had played some very small part in his being in America and that it resulted in his salvation broke my heart. Knowing how undeserving I am of God’s grace and yet, to quote Vedrana, He allowed “little me” the “privilege to have a part in that beautiful love story.” God truly is awesome.
My son, Tyler, and I recently visited Vedat (June 24 – 29, 2007). This was the third trip for me, and I have never seen him in better spirits. Tyler and he connected in a way that only children can do. Looking beyond any cultural / physical differences, these two children became one. For this brief time, they were almost exactly the same in the way they played, teased, experienced life. They were inseparable, as you can see from photo 1 
Tyler couldn’t stay out of Vedat’s chair and rode in it every chance he got. He even got pretty good at wheelies! He said that it was fun and wished that he had one. We talked about how that statement was easy to make when you did not NEED to be in a chair. However, Tyler’s statement caused me to see Vedat in a new light. Vedat has this same spirit. To hear him challenging other patients, even the staff, to races astounds me and shows me that even in tribulation there is joy if we can but allow ourselves to see it. So often, as an adult, I become burdened by the circumstances around me and miss the point of the whole matter. These children are reminders that God is in control.
While visiting, we took Vedat out to see some of the Chicago sights. Let me tell you that God’s hand was in ALL of it! We had told Vedat that we would take him to a Chicago Cubs game. He was thrilled. A day or two before the game, we were visiting and watched Vedat’s therapy. Part of it consisted of walking around a series of corridors that formed a rectangle. (photo 2) 
His assignment was to make two laps without breaks or three laps with breaks. Vedat chose two without but on his first lap needed to rest halfway through. After his first lap, I tried to motivate him by offering ice cream after lunch if he did not stop again. This did not quite do the trick, so I told him that we would get him a Cub’s hat for the game. Suddenly, his eyes lit up, his “rocket boosters” kicked in, and off he went, twice as fast as the first lap. He did it without stopping. Watching him, I could see the element of drama that is such a part of Vedat (and all children), but I also saw in him a determination that is inspiring. What will God do with this young man I wonder?!
At one point in our visit, Tyler and Vedat were playing basketball. I was to be playing with them, but two of the nurses had asked to speak with me. They wanted to be sure that we were prepared to bring him home and to let me know that Vedat is experiencing quite an emotional and psychological change due to his leaving the hospital. While he seems resilient and adaptive, we have not yet seen him on a regular basis, daily, weekly, etc. There is trauma to be dealt with as he transitions away from the constant attention at the hospital, and we covet your prayers, not only for his physical recovery, but also his psychological and spiritual well-being.
As the nurses and I were talking, I became distracted by the sound of a piano being played. (At least, the keys were being struck.) I remember glancing over and seeing Vedat at the piano. I was suddenly overwhelmed by the image (vision?) of Vedat as a concert pianist. I could sense that there is some kind of artist inside of him waiting to be released.
The nurses were saying that he is resistant to speaking of his life. Perhaps he lacks the ability to put it into words. He has been through so much in his life already. Yet his endurance is remarkable and, quite frankly, puts me to shame. Tyler and I began talking with Vedat about music. Would he like to learn the piano? He was so excited by the possibility that he and Tyler are already forming a band. They decided that the piano and the drums would be where they would like to start. If there is anyone who would be willing to volunteer to teach Vedat and Tyler piano and / or drums we would welcome it. We believe it to be a great spiritual need for Vedat.
Perhaps the best way to sum up our visit is to show you a picture my son Tyler took of Vedat. They were in the back seat of the car together. We had the windows down, jazz music playing, and were on our way to the Art Institute of Chicago. The look of pure joy and sense of freedom that this photo conveys is so powerful to me and reminds me of Christ’s true gift to us: freedom from spiritual poverty. Though our physical circumstances may be undesirable, we can experience joy.
I am now preparing to return to Chicago for the final visit before Vedat’s discharge. I have to confess my nervousness at the unknown. However, I am also exited by the fact that God has chosen our family to play a role in this drama.
We ask for your prayers as we enter this transitional phase with Vedat. We ask for God’s wisdom to make the choices He would have us make. We also ask for prayer regarding school for Vedat. We are trying to enroll him in Loudoun County but it appears that we need further documentation and pray that the timing of things would work out for the best.
Yours in Christ,
The McCarthy Family
