Life-Changing Surgery Underscores Hope in Jesus

After years of multiple miscarriages, Mrs. Li started losing hope that she’d ever have a baby.  Finally, Cheng was born.

She recalls, “His upper jaw was severely damaged, and he didn't have a tooth socket.  This wasn’t what I expected.  I was really scared.”

Cheng had a cleft lip and palate.

“I didn’t think he’d be able to drink milk since his mouth was cracked,” Mrs. Li says.  “And if I couldn’t feed him, how would he survive?  A doctor said without nutrients, he may live a year at most.”

Cheng’s dad abandoned the family.

“He couldn’t accept that his son was like this, Mrs. Li explains.  “My heart was broken.  My baby and I were going to have a difficult life. I didn’t know how we were going to make it.”

Mrs. Li’s own family refused to help.

She shares, “There were all sorts of rumors going around. I was very angry because I didn't want people saying bad things about my baby.”

Cheng choked a lot and ended up in the hospital with pneumonia.  A doctor said he was malnourished and anemic.

“He said it would get worse each time because it would damage his lungs,” proclaims Mrs. Li.  “He said the only way to solve Cheng’s problem was cleft lip and palate surgery.”

Mrs. Li prayed to the local gods for help.  She worked two jobs to try to save for surgery, yet only made $3 a day. Then a woman in a support group told Mrs. Li about Jesus.

“Every time we met, we read the Bible together,” she exclaims.  “I didn’t feel alone anymore.  I saw the true light and had hope for the first time.”

This woman also told Mrs. Li about Operation Blessing, and you helped Cheng get cleft lip surgery.

“Cheng has recovered very well.  He’s a different person. He’s handsome, and now he can drink milk without choking,” Mrs. Li shares.  She concludes, “Through all this, I learned that Jesus is not like our local gods.  You don’t have to bring Him something before you ask Him for help. Jesus is just there.  I experienced that in my most difficult time with Operation Blessing.  You helped me find new life and gave my son a second chance. I am truly grateful for your love.”