Scott Tsai—Toronto, Canada

In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I share this testimony to glorify God for His love, providence, and faithfulness. Over seven years ago, our younger daughter, Chloe, was born with several congenital heart defects and received open-heart surgery when she was just five months old. Through this challenging journey, my wife and I have witnessed God's miraculous hand at work, teaching us profound lessons about trust, faith, and service even during trials. As I reflect on this journey, I hope this testimony offers comfort to those facing their own trials and serves as a reminder of how God's grace truly sustains us.

THE DIAGNOSIS

Chloe was born in July 2017. Everything appeared normal prenatally, except that the doctors thought she would be a small baby. We felt no reason for concern and welcomed her into the world with joy and hope.

At Chloe's one-month checkup, however, our family doctor detected a heart murmur. She reassured us that this was not uncommon in infants but recommended a visit to a pediatric cardiologist as a precautionary measure. The ultrasound by the pediatric cardiologist did not yield a definitive result, but an atrial septal defect (ASD)—a hole in Chloe's heart—was suspected. This condition often heals itself. The worst that could happen for children with this condition who appeared as healthy as Chloe might just be a minor catheter surgery. Chloe was referred to a major children's hospital, Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), for a sedated ultrasound. This test confirmed that Chloe's condition was far more serious than we had imagined. She was diagnosed with:

1.     Atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD): Two large holes in the walls separating the upper and lower chambers of the heart. This defect allows oxygen-rich blood from the left side of the heart to mix with oxygen-poor blood from the right side, reducing oxygen supply to her organs and potentially leading to heart failure.

2.     Pulmonary valve stenosis: A narrowing of the pulmonary valve, which creates back pressure and restricts blood flow to the lungs.

3.     An extra leaflet in the mitral valve: A rare structural abnormality that was not initially considered problematic.

The doctors informed us immediately that Chloe would require open-heart surgery to repair the two large holes. Hearing this diagnosis was distressing. The previously unlikely scenario that our precious baby daughter would require open-heart surgery was now a certainty.

God's Unexpected Miracle

While the diagnosis was much worse than expected, the doctors shared something remarkable. Chloe's pulmonary valve stenosis, which typically would be another cause for concern, had actually helped balance the effects of her AVSD. The narrowed valve increased pressure in her right ventricle, thereby reducing the harm caused by her AVSD. This delicate balance allowed Chloe to grow and develop normally until surgery.

It was an unexpected miracle. Chloe's defects, though severe, seemed to counteract each other in a way that prevented immediate danger. While the balance was temporary and unsustainable in the long run, it bought Chloe the time she needed to prepare for surgery. Looking back, we saw this as God's reassuring hand at work.

THE FIRST SURGERY: A TEST OF FAITH

Eventually, we began to feel better about the upcoming open-heart surgery. On one hand, we were reluctant to see Chloe undergo such a major procedure at a young age. On the other hand, we were satisfied with the surgical team's confidence in the surgery. Many of our church brothers and sisters were praying for Chloe, and Chloe had been baptized, so we felt hopeful.

On December 19, 2017, when Chloe was just five months old, we brought her to SickKids for open-heart surgery. We placed Chloe into the hands of the surgical team at around 7:30 a.m.

The surgery lasted for a long eight and a half hours; the outcomes were mixed. The good news was that the AVSD had been successfully repaired, and Chloe's pulmonary valve stenosis was also corrected. However, the mitral valve with the extra leaflet abnormality, initially thought to be inconsequential, had started leaking severely.

The surgeon had attempted to repair the mitral valve three times during the operation, but each attempt failed. After stopping Chloe's heart, placing her on a heart-lung bypass machine, and reopening the heart for each repair attempt, the surgeon decided it was too dangerous to try a fourth time. Chloe's small body had endured a lot of trauma.

We were devastated. The surgery we had hoped would resolve Chloe's condition now left her in a critical state with a severely leaking mitral valve. The surgical team's plan was to let her stabilize for about ten days in the critical care unit before deciding on the next steps.

As we drove home that evening, leaving Chloe in the critical care unit, we wept silently. The burden of uncertainty weighed heavily on us. We had placed so much confidence in the medical team and their expertise, but we had somehow forgotten an essential truth—our lives are ultimately in God's hands.

A Journey of Faith and Prayer

In the days following the first surgery, I reflected deeply on my reliance on human understanding. I realized that while medical expertise and technology are gifts from God, He alone determines the outcome. Together, my wife and I prayed for forgiveness and strength. Even during our discussions with the chief of surgery at the hospital, when my wife asked him what could have caused the leaky mitral valve, he responded: "That is something that I would have to ask my Maker." This remark reminded us of the Bible verse,

         I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. (Ps 121:1–2, NIV)^[1]

Indeed, the physicians tried their best, but their ability to help Chloe was limited; God is the Maker. He is the One who created Chloe's heart, and He is the only One who can fix it.

Our prayers also began to change. At first, we prayed for God's will to be done, unsure of whether it was His will to heal Chloe. But as we meditated on Daniel's three friends before the fiery furnace, we learned to pray boldly with faith.

         "If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king." (Dan 3:17)

We had always believed in God's ability to heal, but were unsure whether it was His will to heal Chloe. However, at this point, we believed not only that God was able to help Chloe, but also that He would deliver Chloe. Even so, our faith would remain steadfast regardless of the outcome, just as the three friends declared, "But if not,... we do not serve your gods" (Dan 3:18).

This shift in perspective gave us peace and renewed hope. We believed that God not only had the power to heal Chloe but that He would heal her according to His loving will.

THE SECOND SURGERY AND RECOVERY

Nine days after the first operation, Chloe underwent a second surgery to address the mitral valve leakage. This time, the procedure was more successful. The surgeon reduced the leakage from a severe to a moderate level, stabilizing Chloe's condition.

Chloe spent another week in the critical care unit before transitioning to the recovery ward. Despite everything she had endured, her recovery was surprisingly swift. She began interacting with us, smiling, and showing signs of improvement, which lifted our spirits.

However, she faced another challenge: feeding. Chloe had been reliant on a feeding tube for several weeks, and we were concerned that she would develop a long-term dependency. Many infants who undergo open-heart surgery struggle to transition back to normal feeding, often requiring the tube for months or even years. The hospital required Chloe to be fed with a feeding tube indefinitely because she was not feeding normally, and her body was still very fragile and weak.

Lessons in Trust and Service

At the time, I was serving on the church council of the church in Toronto as the Pastoral Religious Affairs, and my term was nearing its end. As Chloe's condition unfolded, I informed the council that I could not serve another term. After Chloe returned home, I had to return to work, and Chloe required weekly evaluations at SickKids. If at any point her evaluations indicated worsening mitral valve leakage, she would need to undergo another open-heart surgery immediately. On top of this, Chloe's feeding tube became the source of physical and emotional strain at home. Balancing Chloe's care with my church responsibilities felt impossible.

When I shared that I did not wish to serve another term, both the local preacher and my father acknowledged the formidable challenges my family faced. However, they urged us to trust God to decide whom He wanted to use, leaving the matter in His hands during the upcoming annual general meeting (AGM). At the time, I did not agree with their perspective.

One night, however, something unexpected happened. Chloe pulled out the feeding tube herself. Rather than reinserting it, we decided to trust in God. As my wife fed Chloe, I knelt next to them, praying for God to help Chloe drink on her own. We continued this throughout the night. To our amazement, Chloe began feeding more and more.

I prayed earnestly, asking God to have mercy on us, and I was reminded of the encouragement from the preacher and my father—that I should let God choose His worker. My wife and I discussed this intensely and prayed together, surrendering the matter to God. We decided to submit to Him to determine whether I should serve on the council again. Contrary to my earlier resolve, I would not reject the nomination. However, it was incredibly difficult. I truly believed that the situation was impossible. We asked God to take care of Chloe because, if her health remained so precarious, I would not know how to manage everything.

By the next morning, Chloe was drinking without any assistance—another answered prayer and a significant turning point in her recovery. In the weeks and months that followed, her health improved rapidly. Every subsequent evaluation showed that Chloe was clinically and visibly as healthy as any other child. The hospital gradually reduced the frequency of her appointments, shifting from weekly to bi-weekly, then monthly, then bimonthly, and eventually to biannual evaluations. Now, we only return to the hospital for evaluations every nine months.

As I reflected on everything that had happened, it became clear to me that when God calls someone to serve, He also provides the strength, resources, and circumstances to make it possible—even when it seems impossible. Chloe's miraculous recovery enabled me to continue serving on the council for several more terms. Through this experience, I learned that serving God is not about our abilities but about our willingness to submit to His will. It is such an honor and privilege to be called to serve the Lord.

         "But who am I, and who are my people,
That we should be able to offer so willingly as this?
For all things come from You,
And of Your own we have given You." (1 Chr 29:14)

GOD'S GRACE IN EVERYDAY LIFE

The doctors always told us that Chloe might have less energy than other kids and could tire more easily, but they encouraged us not to restrict her activities. They wanted to reassure us that it was alright if we noticed Chloe being less active than her peers. However, a few months after her surgery, we began to notice that Chloe was a surprisingly active baby.

As Chloe grew older, we realized, to our amazement, that she was somehow more energetic than anyone else in our family. At age five, Chloe could run and stay on the soccer field for forty-five minutes straight without needing a break. My wife and I often discuss how this is a great grace from God. We believe He made Chloe extra active and energetic to comfort us—His way of assuring us that Chloe would be fine. Her energy level was far beyond what any of the doctors had anticipated.

Since her surgery at five months old, Chloe had needed to take heart medicine twice daily. Whenever we asked the doctor whether Chloe would have to continue taking the medicine for the rest of her life, the answer was always yes. However, when Chloe was five years old, she expressed her dislike of the medicine for the first time, saying, "Mommy and Daddy, I don't like this medicine. Can I stop taking it?" We explained to her that the medicine was for her heart and that she needed to keep taking it, but we also encouraged her to pray and share her feelings with the Lord Jesus.

Chloe prayed, and a few weeks later, during her nine-month checkup, my wife hesitantly mentioned to the doctor: "Chloe would like to know if she has to keep taking the medicine."

To our astonishment, the doctor replied, "Well, the medicine doesn't seem to contribute anything. She can stop taking it." It was a beautiful reminder of how much Jesus loves little children and quickly responds to their supplications! We are also grateful that, at such a young age, Chloe already has the experience of praying to God and receiving a response.

Today, Chloe is so active that she no longer requires medication, and we often forget she ever underwent major surgery. Truly, God's grace is sufficient for us. When we experience His love deeply, it enables us to move beyond the pain and sadness of the past and focus on the blessings of the present.

CONCLUSION

I truly thank God for His grace, that He teaches us various lessons through the experiences in our lives. Through Chloe's journey, my family has learned three profound lessons:

1.     Trust in God above all else: human plans and abilities are limited, but God is sovereign over every outcome.

2.     Believe in God's will to deliver: faith means trusting not only in God's power but also in His desire to help us.

3.     Allow God to use us: when God calls us to serve, He provides everything we need to fulfill His purpose, even when the trials seem impossible to bear.

Chloe's journey has strengthened our faith, deepened our trust in God, and taught us to rely on Him in all circumstances. May her story be a testament to God's unfailing grace and love. All glory and praise be to Him, the Master of our lives, our Healer, and our strength.

         My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. (2 Cor 12:9)