“Be Magnified Oh Lord

You are highly exalted

And there is nothing you can’t do

Oh God, My eyes are on you

Be Magnified, Oh Lord be Magnified.”

It was April 1^st, the Fool’s Day when playing pranks is allowed but when I got the call this morning from Mr. Chuks Etuka from India that our Baby Andrew came out of surgery today, it was no prank.

 I shouted a big Halleluyah.

It would be recalled that exactly twelve days ago, precisely on the 20th of March, little Andrew Duku was wheeled into the theatre for his heart surgery. Well, at exactly   5.25pm today(Nigerian time), little Andy was wheeled into the room from the ICU grand style with a retinue of nurses and hospital staff accompanying him into a world of possibilities after his triumphant ordeal through an open-heart-six-hours surgery.

Some few days, members of the Down Syndrome Association (DSAN), in their little apartment with hardly room enough to contain them but which had unlimited space for them to share their love, feelings and unity, held a vigil for Baby Andrew.

They held hands and cried out to God with their lips moving in prayers for Andrew, who came out from surgery, to survive the last stage of his operation which is to come out of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).  

When they sealed the prayer with a loud Amen, the request went through the galaxy of stars, carried by Angels to the heavens where they put all their faith into for a positive answer to come and it came on a very humorous day.

Just like when the Lord went into Jerusalem in a triumphant manner, Baby Andrew who equally shares the same birth date with Jesus Christ, had a similar and grand entrance into the ward today as members of the Nigerian community in this hospital trouped the room singing and dancing with joy Chuks Etuka led the singing while Andrew’s mother, Mrs. Roseline Duku, led the dancing.

According to Chuks, “What this means people is that he has successfully gotten over the hill of recovery and his little heart is in tip top shape. We were told by the nurses that he has been responding beautifully to medication and that he is a very strong fellow. But it is not over. He weighs 4.5kg which is quite under weight for a child his age and the target is to get him to 9kg (By fire, by force). Then his body would be able to adequately fight any possible infection while at the same time, regaining lost strength.”

Just like the previous occasions, Andrew needs prayers to have the appetite to eat so that he would put on weight.

No doubt, Baby Andrew’s story is one that can make a best seller; born on Christmas Day, had an appeal for his life on the 28^th of January, was demonstrated so much love to on the 4^th of March and went in for a fight on the 20^th of the same month. He came out strong and made a fool of the fear that has been part of his chances of survival on Fool’s Day; what a story. Isn’t Andrew a new song? He is Down and not out; our Andrew is Down to Earth to survive and he is a survivor.

Let’s take that chorus again while we await the day he would come back home.

“Be Magnified Oh Lord
You are highly exalted
And there is nothing you can’t do
Oh God, My eyes are on you
Be Magnified, Oh Lord be Magnified.”

Picture Credit: Chuks Etuka in India.

Robot  Villager

# 1 ...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 03.04.2008 00:07

philipikita  Villager

# 2 Andrew surely looks traumatized. I find it absolutely sobering to imagine the pain that this young boy went through. I wish him quick recovery, and look forward to when I shall see a picture of Andrew jumping around with other kids. Posted by philipikita| 03.04.2008 01:03

Ukay  Villager

# 3 I feel proud no matter what the world say about Nigerians, we always stick together when there is a call for love. NVS tumbs up for you for bringing little Andrw's story alive. And baby Andrew, we love you. Posted by Ukay| 03.04.2008 02:49

Verastic  Villager

# 4 Thank God baby Andrew is out of the ICU. May the good Lord be praised. Posted by Verastic| 03.04.2008 02:53

elgaxton  Villager

# 5 Oh! Thanks to God. Its good to know he is alive and well. I wish very speedy recovery. Posted by elgaxton| 03.04.2008 05:36

Bode_Boluz  Villager

# 6 It is good to see that he is doing well. In this week of emphasis also on Autism, it is sobering to note the considerable task and journey needed to protect vulnerable children and provide early medical and behavioral intervention. I hope he is also receiving some additional behavioral support. I also hope the good folks at the Nigerian Down's Syndrome NGO are helping his parents look at the options that Andrew and other children need to grow and progress. I hope they join with other similar NGO's and aggressively get those that matter in the health sector, both private and public, to do what is right for the future. Compassionate Members of NVSq Community have shown that the journey of a thousand miles starts with the first unimpeachable step. May the journey continue... Posted by Bode_Boluz| 03.04.2008 05:38

nallanah  Villager

# 7 Father God, may your name be praised through all the earth! NVS, thanks again oh. Andrew, oya, pls eat like there is no tomorrow;...God Bless you plenty!! Posted by nallanah| 03.04.2008 07:53

mystery  Villager

# 8 I bless God for proving himself mighty on Andrew's behalf. May God faithfully complete the good work He has started in Jesus name Amen!!!!:smile: Posted by mystery| 03.04.2008 10:45

WaleAkin  Villager

# 9 Thank God! Posted by WaleAkin| 03.04.2008 12:03

Jucihart  Villager

# 10 Chineke Daalu n'olu nkea. God thank you for this work. God is good He has done US well oh! my soul raise up and praise the Lord. He is God and does not change. God we thank you welu welu Posted by Jucihart| 03.04.2008 13:56

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