A Heart for God

Reagan was born in Uganda with four holes in his heart. Doctors told his parents that he would soon die, so they measured their son’s small frame and bought a coffin to fit him. 

But his mother believed that God could heal her son and began earnestly praying. Not long afterward, she learned about Children’s Heart Project, a ministry of Samaritan’s Purse that arranges critical congenital heart surgery for boys and girls. Nearly 1,600 children from over a dozen countries have received life-saving heart operations in the past 27 years. 

Reagan had heart surgery when he was 2 years old. Although it was a success, his parents still feared that he wasn’t 100 percent healthy and would die if he were too active. They limited the time he could play with friends, and he wasn’t allowed to attend school or even do household chores such as washing dishes. 

“I was told that I would die if I didn’t protect myself,” said Reagan, now 17. “There’s a stigma to having heart surgery. People see your scar and become afraid of you—and for you.”

HEART CAMP

Reagan began realizing that he was indeed healed and didn’t need to fear physical activity after attending Heart Camp in Uganda. He has participated in camp eight times, the first when he was seven. 

The annual weeklong retreat is for boys and girls who have received heart surgery through Children’s Heart Project. Two camps are held each year, one for children ages 6 to 12 and the other for teenagers ages 13 to 17. The camps help children like Reagan understand that they can run and play like other boys and girls and create an environment for them to bond over shared experiences. They are also Biblically based and focused on discipleship.

When Reagan arrived at the camp, he didn’t know that the dozens of other children there had also had surgery—until he saw their scars. “I realised that we were all alike,” he said. “I made friends immediately. When I saw them running around playing, it gave me confidence that I could also do physical stuff.”

Today, Reagan is captain of his school’s handball team and has won numerous medals competing for his school and a national team. “If I had never come to camp, I would never have become an athlete,” he said. “I had energy at camp, and it changed my mindset.” 

NEW LIFE IN CHRIST 

Cindy Bonsall, Children’s Heart Project director, had the idea for Heart Camp in 2010 when God spoke to her heart and told her to “connect the children” who have undergone surgery. She said God gave her the promise of Isaiah 54:13: “All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children.” 

“A lot of these kids have surgery when they’re a year old or 2 or 3 years of age,” she said. “Heart Camp is an opportunity for them to hear the Gospel. We’ve seen many of them accept the Lord at camp.” 

Heart Camp includes discipleship classes, praise and worship, arts and crafts, and sports activities. The classes were particularly meaningful to Reagan as he learned about God and how to follow His Word. 

The second year he attended camp, he prayed to receive Jesus as his Lord and Saviour. “I stood up in class and said, ‘I want to be saved!’” 

Reagan finally understood that God could spiritually heal him. “I didn’t know anything about God,” he said. “At camp, they told me that God loves me and that Christ died for me.” Reagan now serves as a mentor at Heart Camp. He was invited to participate in the camp’s Leaders in Training programme because he demonstrated leadership potential and a growing relationship with Jesus.

“Children who have had heart surgery suffer a lot of pain,” he said. “I want these kids to know they are going to be OK.” 

Worldwide many children who are born with heart defects are neglected and abandoned. Some parents believe the boys and girls are cursed and that God is punishing them.

“I want the kids to know Christ and follow Him,” Reagan said. “At Heart Camp, the Word of God is taught and children are led in His way.” 

Despite the challenges of being born with a heart defect, he doesn’t regret it, because his life is bringing God glory. 

“If I hadn’t had surgery, I would never have come to Heart Camp and learned about Christ and His love for me. God doesn’t make mistakes,” he said. “I’m proud of my scar.”