When One Path Closes, Another Opens - Sophia's Surgery

When one path is blocked, another path opens.

There were many obstacles before Sophia could receive heart surgery. A visa needed to travel through U.S. territory was not approved, so a flight routing through Canada had to be arranged again. Preparing for that journey was not easy.

Yet whenever one path seemed closed, another opened. People prayed together, the right relationships came together, and practical help for the journey continued. Looking back, there were many moments when we could only confess that God had opened the way.

On November 1, 2022, Sophia received heart surgery in South Korea, and the surgery was completed successfully. The center in San Quintín and families connected through disability ministry also prayed for Sophia and walked with her through the journey.

JBU walked alongside Sophia as a small bridge, connecting prayer and people and helping practical support continue. It was a small role held within the loving care of many people.

Around that same time, I also began facing health problems related to a brain tumor. The time of searching and praying for a way forward for Sophia was also the beginning of facing my own weakness. We did not know then what path we would have to walk. Looking back, we can see that God was holding Sophia’s path and ours together.

This story is recorded not only to tell of a successful surgery. It is recorded to remember the people who prayed, searched for a way, and walked beside Sophia through that uncertain season, and to remember the grace we received then.

Before surgery, Sophia recited a Psalm.

That small voice heard in fear and waiting was more than a memorized passage. It was a child’s confession of faith, entrusting the road ahead to God.

And that confession did not belong to Sophia alone. We held on to the same Word and walked that road together.

God made a way through many hands, many prayers, and one small voice holding on to His Word.