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She survived... where next?

At church last Sunday, I quickly noticed a young girl with Down Syndrome and watched her discreetly (?) the whole service. Maybe 7 or 8, she was kept close by her 9 or 10 year old sister. Her older sister, literally kept her by her side at all times. When they stood together, she draped her arms over her shoulders. When they walked, she took her hand.

I asked the pastor if this girl attended school and she does! This is such a unique situation for several reasons. First of all, the child survived infancy. Down Syndrome is associated with low tone, poor feeding, heart defects... every child is different and God blessed this dear one with just the right combination and right family and community that she survived past infancy. She also survived a horrendous war! Secondly, she attends school. School is not free and often school is reserved for those who are seen to have potential to go somewhere with their education. Thirdly, her older sister clearly adores her AND is likely a huge reason that this sweet girl is alive today!

I don't know this sweet girl's limitations, but she did not speak when I saw her. Her older sister spoke for her. This may simply mean that she is slower to speak, shy, or just used to her sister speaking for her. But I praise God that He has placed this girl in that church, that community, that school, and I pray that through her life, through her sister's care for her, GOD WOULD BE GLORIFIED!

God does not make mistakes in creating nor in sustaining. This precious one survived, sustained by God - and now I wonder, what is her future in the village in Northern Uganda? Praise God that He is in control!

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