A Girl and Her Horse

A veterinarian in Bolivia helping a horse with a heart problem discovered that she too had a heart problem. Through Samaritan's Purse, she was able to get the help she needed.

Verónica was 3 years old when her father died in a motorcycle accident, leaving her family devastated. Her mother went out of her way to do what was best for her two children, but the lack of a father was evident in Verónica’s life.

Three years later, she started taking horse-riding lessons and shifted all her attention to the animals, which grew to be the passion of her life. She spent hours practicing horsemanship while taking care of her new friends. She loved spending time with them because she could tell them about all the bad moments she experienced at school as children made fun of her for not having a father.

Verónica is now a veterinarian specializing in horse care and is currently helping a horse named Winston who suffers from a heart problem.

The cost for this type of procedure in Bolivia was high, and she did not have sufficient money to undergo surgery. Nonetheless, her despair was such that she borrowed money and decided to have it done.

When Veronica found out that Winston had a heart defect, she had no idea that she also had one.

The cardiologist in charge of the surgery was inexperienced and was unsure about what it might involve. He said he might have to perform several procedures to correct the problem, and Verónica agreed to the plan. However, the day before her first operation her doctor called to cancel the procedure and reschedule the date.

Verónica felt insecure and suspicious. She decided to cancel any future appointments and started looking for other alternatives.

Some time later, she went to consult the pediatric cardiologist who works with Children’s Heart Project in Santa Cruz. Children’s Heart Project is a project of Samaritan’s Purse that brings children with heart defects to the U.S. for heart surgery. As it turns out, we had scheduled a campaign to screen children a few days later, and the doctor invited her to come to get a second opinion from an American cardiologist.

It was determined we could help her, and several months later, she flew to Washington, D.C., along with an 8-year-old girl, a 17-year-old boy, their mothers, and two interpreters.

Veronica recovered well after her surgery and was able to return home where she is still caring for Winston.

Verónica marveled at God´s love and care. Every detail before the trip was in God’s hands. Shortly after arriving in the United States and hearing about God’s love for her displayed in Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, she decided to put her life in His hands. She knows she will never be alone. Her loving Father is with her wherever she goes.

Today Verónica attends an evangelical church and is growing more and more in her walk with God.

Verónica thought about how much she loves her horse, and she realized God cares for her even more than she cares for Winston.

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are (1 John 3:1, ESV).

SUPPORT

Save a Child's Life About one out of every 100 babies has a heart defect that surgeons can routinely repair. Unfortunately, many of them are born in poor or remote places where their families cannot access the cardiac care they urgently need. Through our Children’s Heart Project, Samaritan’s Purse transports boys and girls from places like Bolivia, Mongolia, and Uganda to hospitals in North America. Doctors, hospitals, and host families and churches donate their time and services, but airfare is a major cost—typically $2,200 per person for international flights. For $50, you can share in this cost so that we can offer life-saving surgery and the unsurpassed hope of Jesus Christ, "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6).

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Suggested Gift: $2,200 | Share the Cost: $50

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