A 16-year-old boy brought back from the brink of death

Ulysses’ life is a miracle.

Born into extreme poverty, he rarely ate a substantial meal. Over time, his body began to break down. He was slowly starving to death. Then one day, help arrived at his family’s doorstep: doctors hoping to save his life.

The doctors were amazed that Ulysses had reached his 16th birthday. While most healthy boys his age are at least 100 pounds, Ulysses weighed only 30 pounds — the average weight of a 4 year old.

As the medical team carried Ulysses down from his home in the mountains of Guatemala, his mother cried out asking God to just take her son and end his pain. But the team instead prayed for a miracle.

Ulysses was taken to the closest hospital, where the doctors announced he had no chance at survival … but God had other plans. To everyone’s surprise, Ulysses started responding to treatments right away and was eventually well enough to be transported to our partner’s medical facility for rehabilitation.

There, our partners worked with Ulysses to continue improving his health. However, because of his severe stunting and other lasting effects of long-term malnutrition, they were sure he would never walk again.

Once again, though, God had other plans.

Because of generous donors, Ulysses received the critical medical attention he desperately needed. At no cost to him and his family, he was able to stay at the facility and undergo daily physical therapy.

Soon, Ulysses was standing on his own … first for a few minutes at a time, then longer. Finally the day came when he was able to put one foot in front of the other without leaning on crutches or the doctor’s arm. He was walking again! He and God had proved everyone wrong! It was truly a miracle.

Now, seven years later, Ulysses isn’t just alive and walking — he’s thriving. In fact, he now works as a landscaper for our partners who helped him receive treatment.

He still has to go back to the doctor occasionally for evaluations and ongoing medications. But he’s no longer starving and sick — he is a healthy young man who is productive and thankful for a second chance at life.

“[Ulysses] would tell the people that made it possible for him to receive help ‘thank you,’” our partner said.

Today, you can make a commitment that will help rescue people like Ulysses every single month. By becoming a monthly donor, you can make sure your gifts are going to help the most timely, urgent needs — like helping save a 16-year-old boy who is starving to death.

And since it takes only $8 to impact one person, a monthly commitment of just $24 is enough to help rescue three people every month!

Your gifts will deliver much-needed aid in some of the world’s direst situations. You’ll provide essentials like food, medical care, hygiene items, Bibles for persecuted Christians, and more.

And each month, you will receive an update sharing the story of an individual like Ulysses whose life has been transformed by the generosity of you and other faithful monthly donors.

Ulysses wouldn’t be walking — or even alive — if people didn’t first give. Because of their generosity, Ulysses’ mother got to see her son again and watch him grow up to be a healthy young man.

Now, it’s your turn. You can be the one to help save someone’s life today … and next month … and the month after that. Become a monthly donor today to get started.

Become a monthly donor