Coming to the Cayman Islands from Mongolia through Children’s Heart Project, they found that faith in Jesus gives life true meaning.
Khaliunaa didn’t just fear death, the thought of eternity filled her with dread. The Mongolian mother believed that no one could be good enough to go to Heaven and that eternal damnation was everyone’s fate.
The prospect of her daughter, Tserendulam or “Dulma” for short, dying young from a heart defect diagnosed at birth sent Khaliunaa on a desperate search to save the girl’s life.
Before surgery, Dulma didn’t have the physical strength or energy to participate in the activities she longed to do, such as dancing and swimming.
Her search lasted eight years, until she found out about the Samaritan’s Purse Children’s Heart Project. When Dulma was successfully screened to be a candidate for a procedure to repair her heart at age 8 , Khaliunaa was overjoyed that her daughter would have the opportunity to live a normal life unhindered by health constraints.
Until then, the girl who likes to dance and wants to learn to swim couldn’t participate in physical education activities at school because she tired easily and became out of breath.
Samaritan’s Purse arranged for Dulma to have surgery at Health City Cayman Islands, one of the pediatric cardiac hospitals that we partner with to provide heart surgery to qualified candidates at no cost to them. Through the generosity of our donors, Samaritan’s Purse covers the cost of airfare for a child, a parent or guardian, and an interpreter who supports them every step of the way. They provide translation services, a listening ear, and a shoulder to lean on throughout the process, including prayers and spiritual encouragement in Jesus’ Name.
“I asked God to encourage me, to give me strength, so that I wasn’t scared,” said Dulma about praying before her heart surgery. She learned to talk to God through prayer while she was in Grand Cayman and asked Him into her heart as Savior and Lord.
Members of our Children’s Heart Project team that had accompanied the heart patients (others came from Mongolia with Dulma and her mom) led them and their family members in a Bible study. After two lessons, Khaliunaa also prayed to receive Jesus into her heart.
Khaliunaa and Dulma (right) traveled with other heart patients and their mothers, as well as members of our Children’s Heart Project staff.
She had heard of Jesus when she was growing up but assumed that He was just a character in a book. Finding out that she could look toward eternity with hope and joy as a follower of Jesus Christ has transformed her outlook in the here and now.
“I received Christ, I am a new creation,” said Khaliunaa, referring to 2 Corinthians 5:17:
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
“I have new life. I’m so excited,” she said.
After her surgery, Dulma felt strong and energetic, believing that God answered their prayers for her healing. Khaliunaa also rejoiced, because, for the first time in nearly a decade, she can now live without fear of her daughter’s life being cut short from heart troubles.
“I’m very thankful that through you, God is really working,” she said. “You supported us and all our needs, that my daughter had surgery and it was so successful. For everything you’ve done, we’re really thankful.”
“I believe that this is an amazing opportunity, God-given through you,” she said.
Members of our in-country project team follow up with the families after surgery, often accompanied by a representative of a local church to continue evangelism and discipleship outreach.
Since Dulma and Khaliunaa returned home, they have been attending a nearby church and growing in their understanding and love for the Lord. Their hearts know Jesus has “abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2 Timothy 1:10, ESV).
We praise the Lord for the nearly 1,500 children who have received cardiac care through Children’s Heart Project since it began more than 25 years ago.
