Would Her Third Child Die Too?

Xinyao’s memories of growing up are not good.

“I was sick almost every day of my whole life,” Xinyao explains.  “It was really bad.  I hated being sick.”

His parents were just glad he was alive.  Their first two sons got pneumonia and didn’t even make it to their first birthdays.  So, the Yuans were extra careful with Xinyao.

His mother shares, “I built an altar in our house, and I said to the gods, ‘Please bless Xinyao and allow him to be healthy.’  But he always had colds, a cough and a fever.”

Xinyao adds, “I couldn’t do anything.  When I tried to walk, I got dizzy, and my heart beat really fast.  I felt terrible and had to lie down.”

When the Yuan’s brought their son to the hospital, they found out that Xinyao had a hole in his heart.

“I couldn't help but wonder if this is why my other two sons died, and we just thought they were malnourished,” expresses Mr. Yuan.  “Doctors said it was possible because heart trouble can lead to pneumonia, pulmonary hypertension and suffocation.  I vowed as long as there was hope for Xinyao, I wouldn’t let him die.” 

So, on top of farming, Mr. Yuan got a job in construction and tried to borrow money for surgery, but it wasn’t enough.  And Xinyao got weaker. 

“He often woke up screaming,” says Mrs. Yuan.  “He’d touch his chest and tell me, ‘Mom, my heart hurts.’”

Once, he collapsed and had to be rushed to the hospital.

The doctor warned me, ‘Your son is not well.’  I was terrified,” exclaims Mr. Yuan.

His wife adds, ‘They said the hole in his heart had grown so his blood wasn’t circulating right.  He needed surgery soon, or he could die of heart failure.  I cried and asked the gods, ‘Are you going to take my child? Why do I have to suffer like this?’”

Then, one of Xinyao’s teachers told the Yuans about Operation Blessing, and you helped make it possible for Xinyao to get heart surgery.

“Xinyao has recovered well.  He eats a lot and is growing fast,” declares Mrs. Yuan.

“Now, I never get sick.  I’m strong.  I can climb mountains with my dad and I'm not tired!” adds Xinyao.

Mr. Yuan says, “I’m so grateful to the Operation Blessing donors. You saved my son and our entire family.”

Mrs. Yuan concludes, “When Xin Yao was at the hospital, Operation Blessing volunteers shared God’s love with us. They said if I wanted to pray, I should pray to Him.  He’s the one that saved Xin Yao. I don't understand everything, but I'd like to get to know this God.  I believe He loves us, and I thank Him for giving my son a new life.”