Featured Story
August 2007
Philippines: Janil Recovers His Sight
This past summer, one of our children in the Philippines, Janil Morala, got an infection in his left eye from a branch of bamboo that accidentally hit his eye. The doctor initially advised that his eye would be fine, but when it did not improve, we brought Janil to the hospital a second time.
Janil was admitted to the hospital July 17-21, and an initial surgery was performed (a "total conjunctive plasty" operation). As a result of the surgery, however, we were advised that Janil would need a cornea transplant in order to restore the sight in his left eye. We began pray for a new cornea - and that Janil would recover his sight.
On August 1, Kim Fisher, the new Arms of Love president, arrived in the Philippines for a routine visit. Upon arrival, Kim learned that Janil's cornea had arrived and that he was scheduled for surgury the next day. Kim went with Janil to the hospital, checked him in, and met with the surgeon who would perform the operation, Dr. Yu. Janil's houseparent, Bonie, stayed with him throughout the night prior to the surgery.
Dr. Yu performed the cornea transplant the next day. He told us that Janil would only be able to see slightly and that it could take six months for him to fully regain his sight - if at all.
But the next day, when Janil's bandages came off, he was able to see almost perfectly! Praise God! He came home from the hospital on August 2, and despite being under general anesthesia, he felt quite good. Dr. Yu now believes that Janil will fully regain his sight.
During this process, we learned that Dr. Yu serves on the board of Habitat for Humanity. He had been impressed with our local staff, and agreed to come out to the Arms of Love Children's Home and give eye exams to all of our children. We continue to be amazed at how God orchestrates these new relationships for the benefit of His children.
Unfortunately, Janil was not the only child who was hospitalized in August. On August 16, Janil's younger sister Mariciel was rushed to the hospital and had surgery for acute appendicitis. She came out of the surgery without complications and is recovering well.
Janil's hospitalizations and surgeries cost more than $4,000, an unexpected expense that has put a further strain on our current resources. We were unable to raise funds for this expense due to the sudden nature of the emergency. Please consider whether you might be able to help us with a special gift for the Philippines to assist our ministry there.
Please always remember our children in your prayers, for their physical health as well as the restoration of their broken lives.
