Afraid to Go to School

Joan was born with rickets, a painful genetic condition that caused her legs to bow. She didn’t like going to school because the other kids made fun of her. At home, her mother had to constantly watch after her. Joan’s mother, Comfort, explained, “She can only walk a few steps before she falls. I have to carry her all day to keep up with all my chores.”

Joan's parents tried to save money for her surgery, but massive government layoffs in Nigeria left both of them unemployed.

“We had two children, no income,” said Comfort. “We started a palm oil business. We were successful with it, but we could never save enough money for Joan’s expensive surgery. We were desperate. Without surgery, Joan would be stigmatized. She would never have a normal life or be able to succeed the way we knew she could if she had straight legs. We got so depressed, but we kept praying for God’s help.”

Then one day, while at a clinic, they met an Operation Blessing representative. Soon after that, Operation Blessing paid for the surgery Joan needed to straighten her legs. 

Joan’s father, Victor, exclaimed, “My daughter is free from stigma. To everyone who supports Operation Blessing, ‘Thank you!’”

“You have lifted a huge burden from our shoulders,” said Comfort. “My daughter is no longer in pain and she is not scared to go to school anymore. God answered our prayers. Seeing her walk with straight legs brings me great joy. Thank you to everyone who supports Operation Blessing. Thank you, thank you. God bless you.” 

Joan said, “Thank you, Operation Blessing, I love you all.”

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.