Vicentena Chirinos / Peru

My daughter Maria was born with Down syndrome. As she suffered from mental instability and was unable to steady her body on her own, her growth was slower than that of "normal" children. Our financial difficulties limited the treatments Maria could receive and my heart ached whenever I saw normal children. "I'm so sorry, Maria," I'd often mutter to her. "I'm so sorry."
I was led to Peru Manmin Church by my neighbor on September 17, 2007, when Maria was six. I had been poor in spirit on account of Maria's illness and Senior Pastor Dr. Jaerock Lee's messages were a source of tremendous strength and comfort.
As I partook in every Sunday services, I have come to possess faith and God the Healer began to dwell in my heart. I realized that only God the Creator could heal all illnesses and provide answers to a variety of problems in life. I worshipped Him with all my heart and never forgot to pray to Him. Assistance from Revs. Lazarus Lee and David Jang cannot be described with mere words.

Maria offers to God a special performance at Peru Manmin Church on Sunday, January 17, 2010. She had been suffering from Down syndrome but her condition improved following Senior Pastor Dr. Jaerock Lee's time-and-space-transcending prayer.

As time passed, Maria's symptoms from Down syndrome improved. As the Senior Pastor prayed from Seoul for Maria from time to time, the prayer that transcends time and space, she could begin standing up on her feet all by herself and speaking coherently. She no longer did anything unpredictable or embarrassing and her concentration also improved. I was so delighted to see her progress and everything about her improvement was a wonder.
On the days she goes to church, Maria could not be happier. She was so adorable when she extended her tiny hand to her father and asked him to go to church with her. As he saw Maria becoming stronger day after day, my husband sometimes came to church with us. Eventually, he joined the church and now volunteers to ensure the safety of other church members.
I cannot tell you how glad and grateful I was when I saw her praise God through her lips for the first time in 2009, when she was eight years old. From that point on, Maria has never displayed any odd behavior and never been neglected or ignored by others because of Down syndrome. Parents whose children attend special-need schools are envious yet marvel at the way in which my daughter has changed.
As I have experienced God's power, I have been spreading the gospel with confidence as a cell leader and have so far led about 50 people back to God.
Maria had requested Rev. Lazarus Lee that she would like to offer to God a special performance on January 17, 2010, and she did that day. Who could have imagined such a sight?! Certainly not me! Hallelujah!

* Down syndrome Named after John Langdon Down in 1866, Down syndrome is a congenital disorder resulting from a chromosomal abnormality and is characterized by mental retardation and such physical signs as slanted eyes, flattened facial features, short status, and is often accompanied by heart disease, mental instability, and abnormality in shapes of internal organs.