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Look What God Is Doing!

A One-of-a-Kind Gift

By Petra van der Zande

Fostering three children with physical disabilities was never easy. Small and large sacrifices were part of the job. Still, it was a fulfilling God-given ministry. That’s why we were longing to add another child to our family. We prayed for God to send the right child our way.

One day we received a call from a social worker who wanted to know if we would be willing to foster a 3-year-old boy with physical disabilities. We jumped at the opportunity.

A few hours later, the social worker briefed us before the first meeting. At age 14, Na’il’s mother married her 18-year-old first cousin. Na’il’s birth caused her shame and she didn’t know how to look after him. A doctor admitted the undernourished and neglected 2-year-old boy to the hospital and his parents decided to give him up for adoption.

“The first time you see him, you’ll be shocked,” the social worker warned us. She was right.

A tiny boy lay staring into space. We experienced a jolt, because as we looked past the empty eyes, the strange facial features and the thin arms with claw-like hands, we saw a helpless child in need of tender loving care. Our hearts were filled with compassion.

A few days later, Na’il came home with us. He took a walk with my husband and our dogs and came back a different child. Everything was so exciting for him—the trees, the clouds and the wind in his face.

Na’il happily explored the house scooting around on his back. It was as if he had always been with us. He fit perfectly into our family.

Everyone experiences shock when they meet Na’il for the first time. Often people look at the thin 13-year-old boy who still drinks from a bottle and wonder if this is a life worth living. But we see a boy with a wonderful sense of humor who enjoys long walks with his daddy.

We’re amazed by his non-verbal communication skills. He triggers laughter and we’re touched by his sweet nature. By God’s grace, Na’il’s barren years have been restored and we continue to enjoy and care for this one-of-a-kind gift that was sent from heaven to us.

“God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong” (1 Corinthians 1:27).

PETRA VAN DER ZANDE, originally from Holland, lives since 1989 with her husband in Israel. Since 1991 they are the foster parents of (presently) three very special needs children. Besides being a full-time foster mother, Petra is also a freelance writer.