Faith In Practice Update

Maria’s Story

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Maria’s Story: A Dream to Walk

Eight-year-old Maria was born with a condition that negatively affected her legs. Shortly before her second birthday, she underwent surgery, but the procedure was unsuccessful, and she remained unable to walk. Her family, living in a remote village four hours from town, carried her everywhere she needed to go. But despite her challenges, Maria held onto the hope that one day she would stand and walk on her own.

Maria used to watch her classmates play soccer from the sidelines, wishing she could join them. She dreamed of helping her mother care for her younger siblings, especially her baby sister. Her father, who works in agriculture harvesting lemons, bananas, and mangoes, did his best to provide for Maria – but carrying her to church, school, and around their village was a constant challenge.

Her journey toward healing began when a medical team visited their village and recommended surgery. For the first time, Maria felt real hope. She knew the recovery wouldn’t be easy—two months in a cast—but she looked forward to wearing leggings and showing her friends her newly-straightened legs. Her closest friend had been a constant source of encouragement, and as the hope of surgery dawned, she cheered Maria on all the more enthusiastically.

That long-awaited surgery, performed by the Hope In Motion Team, was a success. After years of waiting, Maria’s legs were finally straightened—an answered prayer for her and her family.

Since the operation, Maria has been slowly recovering. She’s returned to school in a wheelchair, where her classmates admire her bravery and think her wheelchair is the coolest thing. She’s also been fitted for orthopedic shoes to support her feet as she works through physical therapy. Her parents recently sent us a video of Maria beaming with pride, showing off her new shoes with a big smile—hopeful that soon, she’ll be running and playing with her friends.

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