Samaritan's Purse Heart Project

Last week, we had a visitor from Rochester, Minnesota, the city we've recently moved from.  She was accompanying a Mongolian child and mother back from Mayo Clinic in Rochester.  The woman from Rochester is in the black sweater on the couch, next to me.  The Mongolian mother is in the pink sweater.  The other Mongolians are from Samaritan's Purse.  We were so excited to meet Eegii (in the pink sweater).  Her son has had a heart surgery AND a hip surgery at Mayo Clinic, Rochester.  

What a privilege, then, to take Eegii along with us to fellowship this past Sunday.  We hope our relationship continues with this sweet woman.  We were especially thankful to a friend who accompanied us and translated, since Eegii's English is sparse and our Mongolian is "survival level."

Last week, I spent time with one of our office ladies for the organization we are with.  She has also gone to the U.S. as a translator for Samaritan's Purse patients.  She commented that S.P. is like a strong arm reaching down into a deep, dry well to pull desperate people up and give them a helping hand and hope. 

Imagine that your child will only live another year unless he has a desperately needed heart surgery.  You have no husband and no job; you and your son live in a ger alongside another ger in a fenced-in yard.  The other ger houses a few other family members who share their food and resources with you.  You have no money to go to the doctor, let alone get an expensive surgery that isn't even done in your country.  The hope you have is overwhelming when you find out your son qualifies to go to America for this surgery, and all of your expenses are paid!  A church hosts you in America.  A loving family welcomes you into their home for many weeks.  You hear the good news from your host family through your translator.  Your life and your child's life is changed forever...and I do mean forever. 

I am excited to consider being a host family for Mongolians in the future when we live back in America!