During the week of November 17-23, 2002, we were privileged to watch a miracle unfold before our eyes via the Internet.  A famous, talented, and very generous neurosurgeon named Dr. Jorge Lazareff traveled to Changchun, China, with his nurse, Julie Byrd, to provide medical care and surgeries for four children who were born with spina bifida.  Many lives and hearts on both sides of the ocean were touched by the events that took place. Most of these events were related in e-mails and pictures that were posted to our special Yahoo site during that week.  One e-mail posted by our beloved contact in China, known to most of us simply as Hannah, brought tears to the eyes of more than a few people as she expressed gratitude to all who donated time, money, energy, and prayers to make it all possible.  To read an excerpt of this e-mail click here. 

Although Dr. Lazareff still refuses to accept any thanks for what he and Julie have done for these children, we will be forever grateful to them both for sharing their God-given gifts for the sake of these needy ones, and enriching our lives at the same time.  We are already looking forward to their next trip over. To read more about Dr. Lazareff click here.

Special thanks to Dick and Cheryl Graham of International Assistance and Adoption Project, without whose tireless energy and unfailing commitment this would not have been possible.  We are also very thankful to all of those who helped raise the funds for the hospital costs; to Hannah and her husband, Dr. Frank; the Chinese doctors who worked with Dr. Lazareff; and to the many Chinese volunteers who gave selflessly of their time to sit by the children's bedsides, feed and care for them after their surgeries, and serve as translators for the Americans there. It could never have happened without the awesome teamwork we witnessed.  Thank you all, and may God bless you for your love and generosity.

To view pictures of this momentous week, click here.

To learn how you can donate specifically to this aspect of our ministry for future surgery trips click here.