CHINA – Xingchen began his life with challenges few could imagine. Diagnosed with congenital heart disease at just 6 months old, he had a childhood marked by frequent surgeries, limited physical activity, and constant threats to his health. His childhood was plagued by a breathless struggle of despair, with no hope of a brighter future. Despite working hard as a migrant laborer, the boy’s father earned barely enough to cover basic family expenses, leaving the cost of Xingchen’s critical surgery far out of reach.
With his oxygen levels dangerously low, young Xingchen was left with a breathless struggle after walking only a few steps. Purple lips and nails were painful physical reminders to his parents and underscored the severity of their son’s condition.
“My son can’t have surgery because I don’t have money, and as a parent, I feel deeply guilty,” his father, Tianxiang, said. “He is in danger of dying at any time because it cannot be operated on. His disease is like a mine, and I don’t know when it will explode.”
But this was not the end of Xingchen’s story. Thanks to the incredible support of friends like you, it was only the beginning! Because of your compassion, Xingchen underwent life-changing surgery last year. The transformation was immediate and profound. His oxygen levels rose from a dangerously low 80 percent to 95 percent, and the simple joy of walking and running became a regular part of his life.
“Now, he can walk a kilometer with me in the evenings,” his father said. “Sometimes he even runs.”
The boy’s physical weakness meant he hadn’t been able to participate in play with his classmates, leaving him alone and depressed. But thanks to your kindness, Xingchen no longer feels left out. “My body will be normal from now on,” he said. “Just like my classmates’.” Your support helped bring a young child the confidence he had learned to live without!
Xingchen now hopes to become a scientist—a dream discovered through your kindness. As he tells his father, “I will study hard!” His renewed health has not only restored his physical abilities but also offers a future filled with hope, promise, and potential. A future where he has traded a breathless struggle to a life where he could live up to his potential.
Most important of all, the surgery not only saved Xingchen’s life but also introduced his family to the Gospel. During a hospital visit, Operation Blessing staff shared the message of salvation, and both Xingchen and his father prayed to accept Jesus into their lives.
Xingchen leaned on his newfound faith during recovery, often praying for strength and healing.
“I prayed to Jesus to heal me and take away my fear,” he told us. Now, he confidently calls himself “a lamb of Jesus” and is eager to share his story of transformation and faith.
For Xingchen’s family, the surgery and support friends like you extended was far more than just medical intervention—it was a promise of a better, more caring world. “Your help was like water in the desert,” his father said. “We’ve told our children that we were helped, and we must help others in turn.”
Thank you for being a part of Xingchen’s life-changing surgery. Because of you the days of a breathless struggle are over and his future is very bright.
