A little girl’s healing brings a community together for celebration and worship
Dela Rodríguez is the Children’s Heart Project coordinator in Honduras.
“We love Him because He first loved us,” (1 John 4:19, NKJV).
Love unites us. Love for God, love for a cause, and love for a little heart.
Eva’s host family took care of her needs while she was recovering from heart surgery.
On May 9, Eva Mejía traveled from Honduras to Texas for a life-changing surgery to repair a congenital heart defect. Eva had a successful operation that washed away the memory of shortness of breath, pale skin, and a clouded future. Her mother, Dilcia, is grateful to God, Samaritan´s Purse, and all the people involved in Eva’s recovery.
It was amazing for Eva to spend the days after surgery enjoying her new heart and all the love shared by the host family, church, and community. But it was even more amazing to see the work that God performed in Eva´s spirit. Eva asked Jesus to reside in her heart after she and her mom watched a children’s version of the Jesus Film in their host home.
“An invitation was given at the end,” said Debbie Richardson, the regional host coordinator. “Host mom Marilyn was observing, and it seemed that Dilcia asked Eva a question about that time and Eva responded affirmatively … Marilyn says, from her observation, that Dilcia is doing her best to instruct Eva and raise her ‘in the nurture and admonition of the Lord’!”
With a new heart and spirit, Eva was ready to return to her home village in Honduras. That day, 1,900 miles away, her father waited anxiously at the airport to greet his precious daughter. Once they arrived, we drove two hours to the north coast to their village. Eva showed us some of her pictures and Dilcia shared a little bit of her experience.
“I am so thankful God gave me the strength and good people to go through this,” she said. “The persons that were with me in the hospital and at the home were exceptional, kind, and caring. I will never forget them.”
The entire community gathered for Eva’s homecoming.
Upon our arrival, Eva’s grandmother ran eagerly toward her girls, followed by a parade of around 55 family and church members. We walked the trail up a hill to Eva´s home. Balloons hung from the trees leading the way to the small home at the top. This little village with a huge heart had come together not only to celebrate but also to worship the Lord in thanksgiving.
We were amazed to see that they were getting ready to sing to the Lord, read Scripture together, and teach about His wonders to all who had come to witness the miracle of Eva. After many trials, Eva and Dilcia can now find life and joy in Jesus Christ.
“The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing,” (Zephaniah 3:17, NKJV).
