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How God makes life-changing surgeries possible

A little boy, sick and abandoned by his parents, a prayer at the Western Wall in Israel, and a merciful professor – in the following report you will learn how these things are connected.

Mischa Sokolov's story begins with his birth in the hospital. He was born with a rare condition called arthrogryposis. This condition (medically known as AMC) prevents him from moving, as the joints in his arms and legs are blocked. His parents cannot bear this fate and leave him alone in the hospital immediately after his birth.

We now jump forward three and a half years. Liia Sokolova has just started working as a young nurse in a hospital's surgical ward. On her first day, she finds a little boy, Mischa, lying alone and crying in his bed. Untouched on the bedside table are some cold porridge and tea. Mischa can't eat on his own; his illness prevents him. Liia is deeply moved. Although she can't get him to sit on her lap, he happily lets her feed him. From then on, he becomes Liia's ward. She visits him every day, even when she's not on duty. Eventually, she adopts him to join her own four children. A very difficult life follows. She has to work hard, finding an apartment proves incredibly complicated, and to top it all off, her husband leaves her.

Due to her illness, Mischa needs many operations.

In 2016, thanks to the support of the municipalities of Bremen and Nuremberg, Liia and Mischa were able to travel to Germany for foot surgery. His feet were so deformed and twisted that he could neither wear shoes nor stand. The doctors at the Rummelsberg Clinic were very pleased with the results but saw no possibility of operating on his arms and legs.

But God can. He has another plan for Mischa.

Now let's hear from Liia herself:

“After two years, we decided to seek help in Israel. I had never been to Israel and didn't know anyone there. I found an address online and wrote a letter to a clinic in Israel. I then received an invitation for an examination. Mischa and I managed to get to Israel despite many difficulties.”

The doctors examined Mischa and initially refused any treatment. We were very disappointed. Shortly before our return trip, we visited the Western Wall. There in Jerusalem, at the Western Wall, five-year-old Mischa prayed to the Lord for help. I listened and couldn't hold back my tears. That was our last hope. Just as we were about to fly home, we suddenly received a call from the clinic. A well-known professor who had previously worked in Israel was to return and examine Mischa. The doctors had decided to operate on his arm after all and asked us to come back as soon as they had a surgery date.

We returned home full of hope and worked hard to secure funding for the upcoming operation. Unfortunately, we were unable to obtain donations or find supporters and saw no way out. In this desperate situation, we asked our friends in Germany for help. God moved the hearts of many Christians in various churches and also within the Stephanus Mission to help us.

Shortly before the outbreak of the Corona pandemic, we received the go-ahead from the clinic and set off for Israel again. Mischa underwent another examination there, and we waited for the doctors' decision. During this time, the borders closed, and we remained in Israel. I only had about $200 in my pocket. We trusted the Lord wholeheartedly and hoped that Mischa would one day be able to move a hand. I found a room that didn't even have a window, where Mischa and I were allowed to stay. In return, I was expected to wash the stairs in the entrance and the garbage cans. I worked early in the morning while Mischa slept.

So we lived like this for eight months until the COVID restrictions were eased. Then we went back to the clinic. When the doctor saw us and learned of our circumstances, he wept. He had thought we had already flown home. He then convened a panel of 16 professors, and they agreed to operate on both of Mischa's arms. Here I must explain that before the operation, Mischa's arms were immobile because his elbows were stiff. They hung limply like sticks, and his fingers were immobile. The operation went well, and rehabilitation was necessary because Mischa had to learn to bend his elbows. Nerves were transplanted into his fingers and had to be re-established and moved. Later, a professor agreed to operate on Mischa's legs as well. In two years, Mischa had ten operations in Israel. This required many steps: first his knees, then his elbows and hands.

For a year, Mischa had plates in his knees to allow his bones to heal after the surgeries. Now Mischa can stand and walk a little with the prostheses. His muscles, which hadn't been used for nine years, are slowly coming back to life. His thighs and feet still need more treatment.

The doctor who operated on Mischa said that Mischa needs ongoing treatment. He should be rehabilitated under medical supervision for at least six months. This is to support the results of the surgery so that all the effort isn't in vain. Unfortunately, we don't have free, high-quality rehabilitation for this condition.

Last year we were in a rehabilitation center. Unfortunately, we couldn't stay long because we had to rent a room and pay for our own travel. That left us with too little money for treatment. Since this year, all travel services for people with disabilities have been canceled due to the current situation. Sadly, we were also denied any assistance. Because I have to take Mischa to and from school, I can only work part-time.

I can't afford Mischa's rehabilitation. That's my biggest problem. Mischa and I pray every day and ask the Lord to take our situation into His own hands.

We sincerely thank Mission Stephanus for their generous support and funding of the numerous operations in Israel. May God reward you abundantly!

With gratitude

Mischa Sokolov and Liia (adoptive mother)

“Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me” (Mt 18:5).

Dear friends of the mission,

We at CDH Stephanus would like to ask you: If this great suffering has touched you, please do not remain indifferent, but respond with a compassionate heart. Every bit of help, no matter how small, is a sign of love for one's neighbor. It will make Mischa Sokolov's life easier and positively influence his future. We thank you for any support!

Donation opportunity: https://stephanus-zeitschrift.de/spenden/?individuell/spende

Intended use: Mischa Sokolov