The first time I saw him, I was drawn into his gaze.  Such big, bright eyes that were mirrored with pain!  I couldn't help but be drawn in.

Next, I saw the bandaged torso, arms, and leg.  Third was the ghastly cervical halo that held his neck/spine straight; my heart broke when I thought of the added pain to his already abused little body.  One of his legs, I noticed, was missing; it was probably blown off in some bomb blast.  

Bomb blasts are common in this part of Afghanistan, where I am helping out with international relief efforts. So many innocent people have been killed or badly injured by insurgent action, including the little baby boy that is currently in my care.

Faizul is only 14 months old, just a little baby that didn't deserve to be in harm's way.  He was the only one out of his family that survived.  He was in his mother's arms when the bomb went off; the force of the explosion killed her and his family; he was thrown over 50 feet from the force of the blast, which explained for his catastrophic injuries.

There's no telling what kind of injuries he may have on the inside.  The injuries on the outside are testament enough as to how badly he had been injured.  If he escapes without any sign of brain damage or damage to his vision/hearing, it would be nothing short of a miracle.  He's already suffered more than enough physical damage (numerous broken bones, including his spine, second, third, and fourth-degree burns, traumatic amputation of his left leg, chest injuries). 

I am trying to be very gentle with the little guy, but every time I approach him, he cries long and hard.  It is clear that the little boy is suffering; it makes me want to cry as well, right along with him.  I then get good and angry at the people responsible for his plight.  If his mother (or his family) hadn't been at the wrong place at the wrong time, this would have never happened, and he would still be happily running around, playing with his family, and his family would still be alive!

I don't know what the future holds for Baby Faizul (as we've taken to calling him), but once he recovers (which will take a very long time), I am going to do my utmost best to give him the life that was abruptly stolen from him when that damned bomb went off!

To be continued.~