Life-saving surgery for Chrispine

Chrispine – a native of Zambia – is 16 years old (though his growth has been stunted by a heart issue, making him the size of an 8-year-old).  He became unwell over 7 years ago due to constrictive pericarditis with calcification – meaning that his heart is enclosed by a hardened sac that increasingly restricts the function of the heart, causing his abdomen to fill with fluid.  Both the local and US medical personnel believe that this matter needs to be addressed immediately, but such complex and specialized cardiac surgery is not available in Zambia at present.

However, Jefferson Park Baptist Church has successfully orchestrated a plan to get Chrispine the surgery he needs to save his life. JPBC is a partner of churches near Chrispine in Zambia, and has been able to get up-to-date medical records on Chrispine, work with an international ministry called “Willing and Abel” which coordinates medical missions, connect with a local member of parliament to expedite the passport process for Chrispine and his mother to travel, and start working with surgeons in India where Chrispine will soon be able to get the surgery he needs. Funds are needed, however, to cover this cost. Please help us so that Chrispine can afford to get the help he needs in time for this corrective surgery! 

More about Chrispine: He is the third of five children and lives with his mother and siblings, his father having died when he was small. He dropped out of school in 3rd grade due to ill health and his dream is to complete his own education and run a school for the kids in Zambia one day! He is a happy, sociable boy…a well-known and well-loved member of his local community, often found to be chatting with people in town. He loves to eat oranges and drink sour milk!