An update from from Litte Red Scarf: a visit to Wu Xia, a review of her family's financial condition, and support for Wu Xia's heart surgery.

Wu Xia has a slender body, wrapped with thick cotton filled jacket, and wears an old pair shoes made with cloth. At this moment she is standing before me very quiet and well-behaved. The red scarf she wears on her head catches my attention. This brand new red scarf seems to be steaming with the heat from the quick walk she had coming over here.  It was very early when she left home this morning, herface is red due to the cold, and her skin is very rough. At first glance, you would know she is the little genie from the country. The first impression about the parents was simple, honest, uneasy and nervous as they tried to fill out the application form. Soon the parents were able to relax quite a bit when westarted to discuss about how the "Little Red Scarf Union" helped the poor farm families who have children with congenital heart disease. They told me excitedly and emotionally how they saw the promotion about the"Little Red Scarf", and how they got the explanation through the parents of the Red Little Scarf. They handed me the application they already filled out -- proof of poverty, a picture, individual application form, identification card, and copy of birth certificate. As I flip through the papers, I can smell the familiar but strong scent of "Tukang" (a bed made with terra which is hollow inside to allow hot air to go through to keep warm).  During winter time, families in the country would burn fire to keep "tukang" warm. It was a very unique smell.There were four people in the family and their farm is less than three acres. Their food source totally relied on the weather. During drought year,they wouldn't have any harvest. Both husband and wife were illiterate. The oldest daughter just started the 6th grade. The wife got hepatitis B three years ago and has only recovered recently. There was only one room in the house used as both a bedroom and kitchen. Outside the house they raised a few old ducks and that is the whole asset of Wu Xia's family. The whole financial resource is from the odd jobs Wu Xia's dad does in town after the harvest.Their yearly income is 1000 Yen, less than 300 Yen per person. I could imagine why they were so nervous and uneasy.  The application was approved right away, and Wu Xia was admitted to the hospital on the same day through the fund of "Little Red Scarf".  The hospital started the routine examination, and started IV and oral medication to control her pulmonary hypertension.  Eight days later the doctors operated on Wu Xia. But during the surgery, they found out her case was worse than they thought, the whole operation took more the seven hours to finish, and Wu Xia transferred into the Intensive Care unit.  Now ten days had passed, Wu Xia's lung condition was still very bad; she could not be weaned from the breathing machine. Her mom and dad waited anxiously outside the door of ICU hoping their daughter could come out of this critical state. Our worker from "Little Red Scarf" went to visited Wu Xia in ICU and communicated with the chief doctor many times about Wu Xia's condition.  They hoped to bring some love and help for the worrying parents.  Please pray for Wu Xia that she can get through this critical condition and go home for the Chinese New Year wearing her Red scarf.