Faith Comes by Hearing

Usually when we think of God's transformation, we think of a powerful salvation experience or an incredible testimony of someone leaving drugs and alcohol to follow Christ. However, Jorge's story is different. When he was 18 months old, a severe case of meningitis almost took his life. Fortunately, he lived, but he lost his ability to hear and for almost eleven years he lived in silence.

That is, until today. This intelligent, handsome boy who comes from a very poor home, got his first hearing aid. But, it has been an amazing, winding ride to get to this point. I told a quick version here, but now here's the rest of the story.

It's awesome how God uses many people to bless and touch one life. I met Jorge five years ago. I was able to visit his rural home and see how he and his family were struggling financially. He was enrolled in Children of Promise, a child sponsorship program I direct here in Paraguay. I felt like God would help him hear, but I didn't have the resources or the contacts to make it happen. God took care of that. Two years later, a work camp from First Church of God in St. Joe, Michigan came to build a new church building where Jorge and his family worshiped, two years later. After meeting Jorge, a skilled contractor on the team mentioned that he had build the office for an audiologist in town on an earlier trip. Hmm, good to know. Then, last year another family from the same church decided they wanted to bless Paraguayan children. So instead of receiving gifts for his 40th birthday, the father [or husband] asked friends to give to Children of Promise. We received over $1,000!

Since Jorge had never received a diagnosis in his infancy, we used the special donation money to get him tested in Encarnacion, an hour away. We made four different trips and after much anxiety, disappointment and immense joy (you can read all of that HERE and HERE) we were told that Jorge would benefit from a hearing aid!

With this new hope, the Lord reminded me about our contractor friend's comment regarding the audiologist. Our friend gladly got in touch with the doctor. She immediately agreed to donate the hearing aid, valued at over $1,100! Three weeks later I received the hearing aid in the mail. My heart sunk when I received it as the box was completely open. Our mail had been open on three previous occasions and every time whatever was sent to us had been stolen. Unbelievable it was still there. God had protected it!

Because God's people have come together from different places, with different gifts and adding different pieces to the puzzle, Jorge today can hear. Just to add meaning to this transformation, here's Jorge's reaction when he received his "new ears" this morning. It brought tears to my eyes. I couldn't stop thinking of what Paul said, "Faith comes through hearing." Although he was talking about spiritual hearing, I don't believe that's too far off for this young lad who experienced such great love and blessing from people that barely know him. I told him today that God gave him new ears because he loves him so much and cares for his life.


Here's a glimpse of the sounds Jorge made, the same day he was fitted. He's going to need a lot of special help and attention, so please keep him in your prayers.


Just look at that boy beaming! God, we give you all the glory.
Here's Jorge giving his mom a hug as they leave the doctor's office today. This is the best day of his life!

Thank you Father for bringing together so many lives to touch this young boy's life and transform him. Thank you that he will finally be able to hear the guitar, his favorite instrument and thank you that with your help, he'll be able to speak one day too. We give you praise that you make the blind see and the deaf hear. You hold the poor and abandoned in the palm of your hand and we know that because of your love, Jorge is a changed person.