Antonia first noticed something was wrong when Innocent developed a fever and had difficulty breathing. She and her husband had already gone through the devastating loss of one of their children because of a heart abnormality. Now her young daughter was showing similar symptoms.

In October 2007, Antonia took 22-month-old Innocent to a health screening conducted by a Children’s Heart Project medical team in Uganda. The echocardiogram confirmed what Antonia already suspected.

Innocent’s parents feared the worst. Without the financial resources needed for surgery, their child probably would not make it to adulthood. They felt helpless and pleaded for God to intervene.

Imagine their joy when they received word in July that the Children’s Heart Project had accepted Innocent for surgery in the United States.

Antonia, Innocent, and a translator were flown to Washington D.C., where they stayed with a Christian host family who provided loving support and fervent prayers. Their petitions turned to praises on August 28 when Innocent’s surgery was a complete success.

“You can’t even tell she had a problem,” said a member of the host family. “She can run, jump, and play, and she is a happy child now with a special sparkle in her eye. Her mother is relieved and happy and is praising God.”

Since 1997, the Children’s Heart Project has worked with top-quality hospitals to provide surgery for children like Innocent who live in countries where the required medical expertise and equipment are not available. The program reached a milestone this fall when the 500th patient traveled to North America for life-giving surgery.

The project also has reaped eternal benefits, as dozens of parents and relatives have accepted Jesus Christ and experienced a heart transformation of their own.

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Samaritan's Purse , Uganda , Children's Heart Project , Transforming Hearts