May my email find you well.

I'm writing to you today because there is this great burden in my heart. Last July, I went to the Philippines for a medical missionary trip with the Philippine Adventist Medical Aviation Service (pamasmission.org) and I saw a great medical need in the villages. We were able to help the sick get well with simple treatments and minor surgeries. But we could do little for three children, Joy, Jeric and Jomar, who need special help.

They have a condition commonly known as Heart Murmur or also known as Hole-in-the-Heart. As the name suggests, their heart has a hole or multiple holes in it causing it to not be able to function properly and/or not be able to support their growing bodies. Since then a few of us have been praying for God to provide a way for these children to get well. But their condition requires heart surgery which they can't afford.

By God's grace, enough funds came in through some donors and we were able to bring these children from their homes in the remote areas in the Philippines to the capital Manila for a medical check-up. Praise God, we currently have enough to get one surgery done! Joy will be having her surgery this Wednesday (25th January 2012). Please pray for her surgery and recovery!

However, I just got news that Jeric is in quite a critical condition. We just found out last week that his lungs were already expanding, which is not a good sign at all. When I saw him during my trip last year, he had to breathe very hard just standing still. I don't know how long he has left but I'm praying that we can get help for him before it is too late.

Here is a video that I made about these three children. Hopefully, it will give you a better understanding of their situation.

Please click on the link below to watch the video:
"Listen to the Heart"

For those of you who would like to know the diagnosis and the estimated costs of surgery, please see below:

Jeric:
Double outlet right ventricle with pulmonic stenosis, severe
Normally related great arteries
Atrial Septal Defect, secundum
Ventricular Septal Defect, inlet type
Aortic regurgitation, mild. Tricuspid regurgitation, moderate
Estimated cost: U.S. $12,260

Jomar:
Ventricular Septal Defect, Perimembranous
Pulmonary stenosis infundibulovalvar
Estimated cost: U.S. $9,520

Joy:
Patent Ductus Arteriosus
Aortic Insufficiency, Mild
Tricuspid regurgitation, mild
Mitral regurgitation, mild
Estimated Cost: U.S. $3,390

The villages that these children live in have yet to come to the faith. If we can help them to get well, it will be a great testament of God's love for His children.

In Acts 3:6, Peter told the cripple at the temple gates.

"Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk."

Like Peter, gold and silver I have none but God can show himself strong if we as Christians touched by the Holy Spirit rally together to contribute what we can to help to restore health to God's children.

If you feel burdened to help these children, you can pray for them, give a donation for their surgery by contacting me ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) and forward this to someone.

May God be with you.

With prayers,
Karen