The music and drama presented by the youth group were impressive. One of the participants caught our attention. She walked with great difficulty. Her enthusiasm for the drama ministry was apparent in spite of her obvious limp. This young lady wasn’t going to allow a physical handicap to hold her back. We were moved with compassion.

The setting was two years ago during the Open Bible convention in Guadalajara, Mexico. We learned the young lady was Lenny Bañuelos, the 18-year-old granddaughter of Adan Ortiz and Angelita Garcia, pastors of the Open Bible Church in Tala. We further learned that Lenny’s legs did not develop and she was unable to walk until she was five years old.

Upon returning to the U.S we couldn’t get Lenny off our minds. The Lord began to deal with us. We wondered what could be done for this beautiful Christian girl. Could we somehow help? Vivian had recently undergone hip replacement surgery. We decided to consult with her surgeon. We explained to him that we were not asking him for anything other than counsel about how to go about seeking medical help for Lenny. We often had read of people coming to the U.S. for donated medical treatment, but where should we begin?

We carefully described Lenny’s condition to an orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Devon Goetz. After hearing our story he graciously offered to look at X-rays of Lenny if we could obtain them from Mexico. He mentioned he had donated surgery in the past to people from overseas.

The X-rays arrived. We made another appointment with Dr. Goetz. After reviewing the X-rays he phoned Lenny in Mexico. Making an assessment from the telephone interview along with the X-rays, he believed that a leg shortening procedure would correct her condition. Dr. Goetz offered to donate his services as a surgeon.

Thus began a series of extraordinary events and answers to prayer. A hospital in Des Moines, Iowa, agreed to provide hospital care without cost. We then needed to obtain visas for Lenny and her grandmother, Angelita, who would accompany her to the U.S. We sent appropriate letters of invitation and explanation to Lenny to present to the U.S. Consulate in Guadalajara. Ordinarily, two to three months are needed to receive an interview to apply for a visa. Lenny went to the Consulate one day and was told to come back the following day. The visas were granted.

We shared the need for funds for airfares with a few individuals. Soon airfares were covered. We scheduled a date for surgery and purchased air tickets.

We will never forget that day in January 2004 when Lenny and Angelita arrived in Des Moines. Neither had ever flown before – nor had they ever seen snow.

Their arrival launched a series of doctor appointments and examinations as well as an unexpected turn of events. It was discovered that Lenny suffered from cerebral palsy. Surgery was canceled. We were very disappointed. It was not going to be as simple as we had believed. Additional examinations were scheduled at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, Iowa, the Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, and the Gillette Children’s Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota. The testing was thorough. Lenny was attended by some of the best physicians in the country, many of whom donated their services. Dr. Randall Ruisch, a Christian dentist, provided free extensive dental work for Lenny. Dr. Wendy Wilson provided an eye exam and glasses without charge.

When the testing was complete it was determined that Lenny had 14 different areas in her hips, legs, knees, and feet that could only be corrected with surgery. Several operations would be necessary, and minimally a year of recuperation. The devastating part of the diagnosis was that even after several surgeries and a lengthy recuperation there was no guarantee that she would experience any significant improvement.
Sitting down and telling Lenny and Angelita there was nothing the doctors could do was heart wrenching. We wept together and, of course, prayed. After a year of preparation to come to the U.S. and more than two months of tests and examinations, how could it end this way? What was God’s purpose? What was He saying?

We don’t have the answers to these questions but we know there is a higher purpose in everything that happened. Each person who had contact with Lenny and Angelita was touched and blessed. Both women have a strong faith in the Lord and a firm foundation in His Word. The men and women working in the Open Bible National Office fell in love with them. It brought missions to us in a very real and personal way. Lenny and Angelita were a great blessing to the Open Bible Hispanic Church in Des Moines as well. Pastor Erlinda Moreno says, “Their presence with us was the greatest thing that ever happened to our church. Our church focused on them and not ourselves.”

The two ladies had many new experiences, including preparing a delicious Mexican meal for the national office staff, clown ministry with Vivian at the Frank Smith Retirement Center, and making a snowman we affectionately named Pepe.

Lenny and Angelita were blessed and encouraged too. Lenny began to study INSTE (Institute of Theology by Extension) while in the U.S. It is evident God’s hand is upon her. He has a special work for her to do. When asked what God had done in her life during the time spent in the U.S. she responded, “I learned a lot. I grew in His love, patience, humility, and experienced His greatness. My faith is growing and maturing. I received so many words of faith and encouragement.”

When asked what advice she would give to those who are not healed or don’t receive the results they had hoped for, Lenny replied: “Seek God and trust Him. Our eyes must be upon Him. We must first seek the kingdom of God and trust Him. If we trust Him, He will do it.”

Lenny and Angelita stayed in our home for more than two months and became like family. We laughed, prayed, and cried together. We learned from each other and developed a bond that will be with us the rest of our lives. We learned anew that God’s ways are not our ways and that His strength is made perfect in our weakness.

Saying good-bye at the airport was difficult. We hugged, expressed our love for each other, and shed even more tears. That evening our house seemed a bit empty. We all have been enriched by our experience together. And, yes, we all deal with the issue of when God doesn’t answer our prayers as we expect. Though we don’t fully understand, we recognize and affirm that He is God and we submit to Him. The Lenny Bañuelos story does not end here. We anxiously await the other chapters the Lord is writing.

Vivian, Angelita, Paul, and Lenny (seated)Paul Canfield is the Executive Director of International Ministries. Vivian, his wife, is the Communications Coordinator for International Ministries.