Her Heart Had a Hole! She Desperately Needed Surgery
When Ximena’s parents realized that a relative had contracted TB, they took their 4-year-old daughter to a hospital in El Salvador to test for exposure. What they learned was something more frightening: Ximena had problem with her heart. “The doctor told me that my daughter had a serious heart murmur,” her mom Gricelda told us.”
Without surgery, Ximena’s condition could lead to permanent lung damage, high blood pressure, and even heart failure. “One of the valves is allowing blood to flow into the lungs.”
I thought, ‘This is my first baby and has she a heart problem?’” recalled Gricelda:
Ximena loves her dad, Luis. He works hard as a truck driver providing for the family. But the couple knew it would be impossible to pay for the surgery. “The doctor said that surgery cost over $1000.00. I said to my husband, ‘Where are we going to get that money? We can’t afford that!”
But Luis was full of faith. “I asked God to help us find a way for our daughter to have surgery.”
One morning, while Gricelda and Ximena were walking to visit her grandmother, Ximena fainted and fell to the ground. Desperately seeking help, Gricelda ran with her daughter in her arms. “Her lips turned purple, and then her eyes rolled back as he said ‘mama,’”said Gricelda with a haunted look in her eyes. “I heard her call me and I knew she that could die.
Then, thanks to YOU, Operation Blessing paid for Ximena to receive the surgery she needed to repair her heart. The operation was successful. “Now I can say that my daughter is healthy! She’s like a new person. Now she doesn´t get tired anymore. She can run and play. Thanks to God and Operation Blessing for paying for my daughter’s surgery!”
Do you know that CBN partners can reach people around the world for Christ every day? We invite you to join us in ministry together as we provide financial support to those in need through our life-giving surgeries, food and clothing programs, humanitarian aid, and so much more! When you give today and become a CBN partner, you’ll help transform lives in the name of Jesus Christ! Join us now!
About The Author
CBN International Managing Director for The 700 Club | Ken's been telling stories as a producer and writer for nearly 40 years. Currently, he manages and mentors media teams based in countries worldwide that provide stories about the work of CBN, Operation Blessing, and Orphan’s Promise for The 700 Club and other media platforms. He is married with four adult children and nine grandchildren.
