Hi,
We first met Selvin, a 12 year old boy, during KAIROS 2001 at St.
Joseph's Retreat Center in Malvern, Pennsylvania. KAIROS is the annual
gathering of the families in the renewal in the United States. He
belongs to a family of five, father, mother, a teenage sister, himself
and a younger brother about six years old. Marina Pulickal's (our music
ministry coordinator) family had introduced them to us. Selvin did not
look any different from the other young boys of his age group.
Two weeks ago, we heard that Selvin was diagnosed with brain tumor
and Jevelson (our intercessory group coordinator) had sent out a request
in the Jesus Youth of America network. The tumor was removed by surgery
and they are now waiting for the doctors to start the treatment for the
cancer. Last week, Molly (Annie Mary, my wife), my children George and
John and myself went to visit him in the children's ward in Morristown
Medical Center in New Jersey. He was sort of reclining in his hospital
bed propped up a bit, for him to be able to watch the TV, which was
mounted on the ceiling. Back of his head, which was shaven clean, was
bandaged where the operation was performed. There was no complaint or
moaning heard from him during the 45 minutes we were with him. Molly
asked him if it hurt and the answer was, "a bit". As a matter of fact,
he looked a bit shy and bored with all the attention he was being given.
He shared a room with another boy and the beds were separated by a
curtain. He occupied the bed by the entrance door. His corner above the
table was full of expensive fruit baskets and bouquets of flowers. While
we were there, others also came in with more of the same. He did not
seem to pay any attention to those gifts. We had taken a Bible, a
rosary, a Box of the Word of God (Vachana petty), a scapular, a
miraculous medal and a couple of small religious pictures as gifts for
him. He did not seem to mind when Molly put the scapular and the
miraculous medal around his neck. She had put the rosary in his hand and
the Bible on the bed. He was holding on to the rosary all the time we
were there. Molly tried to move the bible to the table from the bed,
thinking that it would be in a better place there, but the boy wanted it
on the bed where he can reach for it. I am mentioning all this just to
show his attitude towards things.
The family is really suffering. His parents and the older sister
were heart broken, when the doctors informed them that the tumor, 4 cm
in size, that was removed from his brain, was malignant. Selvin also is
aware of this fact and knows that he has to go through further treatment
for the cancer. I could not see any despair in his eyes, but strong
faith in the Lord. His mother told us that it was he who was supporting
his parents and his sister in times of troubles and tribulations. They
have had problems with the younger child who has not developed
adequately for his age. Selvin tells his family that it is to those who
can take suffering that Jesus gives it. He also says that Jesus will not
give him any suffering he will not be able to bear. He is home now
waiting for the treatment to start.
I would like to ask your prayers for Selvin, who is a chosen
disciple of Jesus, and also for the family, so that whatever may be the
plan of our Father for him and his family, they be given enough grace to
accomplish it with obedience to His divine will and with perfect peace.
Yours in Jesus and Mary,
Kurian Nellikunnel, New Jersey, USA
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