A wife pleads for her husband’s brain surgery. What do you do?

In a remote mountainous village, isolated from medical facilities, a man needs an invasive brain operation with extensive rehabilitative care.  The operation is beyond the family’s meager financial capacity. 

Without the operation, he is destined to lie in a mat for the rest of his life.  With the operation, he may die from complications, live in a vegetative state, or have the slim chance to walk and talk again. 

I ask the wife, “What do you want to do?”  She pleads for her beloved husband.  “Your husband may worsen or even die from the operation”, I counsel.  She expectantly asserts, “I have faith in God.”

What do you do? 

Because of our supporters’ generous giving, we were able to consider such a heart-wrenching request.  After prayerful discernment, hospital research, and a logistical plan to transport him across the country, by faith we affirm the wife’s plea for the high-risk operation.  We also include follow-up medical care and physical therapy.

Several months later, I visit the man and his wife in Kathmandu.  He talks and walks more coherently.  A long recovery ahead.  The man has a chance at life, because his wife has faith in God.  Our God is gracious and merciful.  Our God heals.