As a city dweller, Vladimir Calderon walks just about everywhere. It fits his active lifestyle. One day, that lifestyle nearly came to a halt as he was leaving his Brooklyn apartment in June 2023. “I was preparing myself to go to the gym that day,” said Vladimir. “I was going down the stairs and my ankle twisted all the way to the right and right there, I just saw stars…It was so painful. Felt like a big stabbing in the foot.”

The 28-year-old figured the pain would wear off, but after a few days, his foot and ankle started to swell, and he decided to see a doctor. “They gave me an X-ray and told me that the foot was all fine,” recalled Vladimir. “One doctor gave me a hard boot where it wouldn’t move, but it wasn’t even working. It was actually making it more painful.”

After two months, his foot still hadn’t gotten any better, so Vladimir went back to his doctor who gave him a brace to wear. “They told me there was nothing wrong with it. I kept taking Advil’s over and over again. Even with the brace, the boot and the pills, I still couldn’t do what I wanted to do,” explained Vladimir. 

He tried to ignore the pain and live each day the best he could. “Most of the times I would stay home,” said Vladimir. “It was just so painful; I couldn’t go out. This injury was controlling me in a way where I couldn’t do what I normally would…go to the gym, take a walk, go get groceries. It made me feel like an invalid person. Pretty much just defeated.”

Vladimir admits his faith started to weaken. “I was just like, ‘God, my pain is really, really strong. I cannot bear it anymore.’ I felt like my prayers were just bouncing off and just not going through,” explained Vladimir. “I felt discouraged that God wasn’t gonna heal me. He probably had more better priorities.”

On the morning of September 19, three months after the injury, Vladimir discovered God did care. “I was in my room sitting, staring at the T.V. but it was not on,” he said. “And then the Lord spoke to me in my heart and said, ‘turn on the T.V. Put on The 700 Club.’ I turned on The 700 Club.” Vladimir continued, “What made me sit still and watch was the anointing was so real. It was so strong. It felt like a warm blanket just came over me and wrapped me up.”

Then host Ashley Key gave a word of knowledge. “The pain is in the middle of your right foot,” said Ashley. “You’re not able to really put pressure on it, but He sees you and He loves you and He’s healing this for you in the name of Jesus. The pain will no longer be there. You’ll be able to walk normally. Test it out even right now, in Jesus’ name.”

“When she said that, it blew my mind,” recalled Vladimir. “I was just like, whoa, am I dreaming? It was so real. I remember me just moving my leg. This is amazing, I just got healed and at that moment, I was able to walk.”

Vladimir was soon back to enjoying his active lifestyle and has had no pain since. He also says the experience strengthened his faith in God. “I felt like I got restored back to brand new, like a factor reset,” said Vladimir. “That pain was no longer restricting me. I felt like I was able to do anything. I feel God’s love even stronger in my life. I see it more visible now. God can heal, and you definitely have to believe. And I’m definitely a testament to that.”

As the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles prepare to clash in Super Bowl LIX, members of both organizations pause to remember that while the pursuit of the Lombardi Trophy is a powerful drive, true fulfillment often lies beyond the scoreboard. 

Ever since he was born, Shivam faced various problems because of his club feet. As he got older, the pain increased.

8-year-old Shivam said, “Even walking was a struggle for me. Every step felt like a challenge. When I tried to play or run, my feet would hurt so much.”

His father said, “He would often fall while walking. It broke my heart to see him like this.”

“Kids teased me. They called me names. It made me so angry and sad,” said Shivam. “I kept begging my dad, ‘Please do something. Please make my feet normal.’”

His Father said, “I had no money to pay for a surgery. I tried everything; thinking, searching, asking, but there was no solution.”

Then Shivam’s father heard about an Operation Blessing medical camp that had arrived near their village.

“That day changed everything,” said Shivam’s father. “They listened to my son’s story and connected us to a partner hospital. They assured us the surgery would be free of charge. I couldn’t believe it! Help had finally arrived!”

Not long after the surgery, Shivam exclaimed, “My feet are straight now, and I can run, play cricket, and laugh with my friends! No one makes fun of me anymore. I feel so happy!”

His father said, “I can’t express how grateful I am. Seeing him walk and run like other children, it’s like a dream come true.”

Shivam said, “I can do everything by myself now. I feel free, like a bird soaring in the sky, without pain or fear of falling. ‘Thank you so much’ to everyone who made this possible.”

What a beautiful example of how CBN partners share the love of Jesus around the world with people in need! If you’re not yet a partner, we invite you to join us today. Help bring God’s love through initiatives like clean water wells, medical missions, feeding programs, and so much more—all in the name of Jesus! Join us today and become a part of what God’s doing through CBN partners. 

Neath, a 13-year-old girl from Cambodia, has not had an easy life. Adopted by her father’s brother, she has been separated from her older sister, who lives with their mother and works as a factory worker in Thailand. This separation has taken an emotional toll on the family. As a result, Neath has faced difficulties with disobedience towards her parents and others, struggled with forgiveness, and experienced poor academic performance due to memory issues.

Despite these hardships, Neath has found solace in her faith. Over the past few years, Neath has attended church regularly, participating in Superbook Academy lessons with her friends. One particular episode, “Jonah,” deeply resonated with her. Initially, she struggled to grasp the concept of God’s miracles and kept herself distant from them. However, over time, she learned to listen to God’s voice and sought divine guidance in her daily life.

This spiritual journey has led to significant changes in Neath’s life. She knows now that God is always with her, providing comfort and guidance. She has sincerely repented and reconciled with her parents and older brother, mending strained relationships. Her involvement in the church has also grown. She now leads youth Bible studies and helps organize church activities, including missions and evangelism.

Neath’s faith has been further strengthened by hearing about God’s miracles in episodes of Superbook like “Jonah.” To watch this and other episodes of Superbook, download the CBN family app. If you would like to help CBN continue producing shows like Superbook and providing resources to Sunday school teachers through Superbook Academy to reach children like Neath around the world with the Gospel, use the link below to donate to CBN Animation’s Superbook ministry.

Give to Superbook