Fifteen years ago, Vicki and Sergio welcomed their daughter Brianna into the world. It was supposed to be a time of joy and celebration, but their happiness quickly turned to fear and uncertainty. Brianna was born ill, and despite the doctors’ best efforts, they couldn’t determine what was wrong with her. Days turned into weeks, and as Brianna’s condition worsened, Vicki found herself overwhelmed with anger and despair.
Vicki had always believed in God, but in those dark days, her faith began to crumble. She couldn’t understand why God would allow her precious baby girl to suffer. Why wouldn’t He just fix her? The more Brianna’s health deteriorated, the more distant God seemed. Vicki felt abandoned, and her belief in God’s goodness—and even His existence—faded away.
Sergio, however, clung to his faith. Despite the fear and helplessness that gripped him, he believed that God was still with them. One day, in a moment of desperation, he turned to Vicki and asked if she would pray with him. Though she was skeptical and angry, Vicki agreed. Together, they asked God to heal Brianna, pouring out their hearts in prayer, even when it felt like their pleas were falling on deaf ears.
During their long month in the hospital, Vicki and Sergio continued to pray, holding on to a thread of hope. One day, a group of believers stopped by Brianna’s hospital room. They asked if they could pray with them, and once again, Vicki and Sergio agreed. As they prayed together, the believers told Vicki and Sergio that God would give them an answer in three days. It was a bold statement, and Vicki wasn’t sure what to make of it, but in her heart, she hoped they were right.
Three days later, the answer came. A doctor from Charleston, SC, reached out to them with news: Brianna had a failed liver and needed a transplant immediately. The news was both terrifying and a relief—finally, they knew what was wrong, and there was a way to help her. The doctor instructed them to pack their bags and prepare to spend three months in Charleston.
Without hesitation, Vicki and Sergio made the journey, holding on to the belief that God was working through the doctors and the upcoming surgery. The liver transplant was successful, and to everyone’s amazement, Brianna’s recovery was swift. What was supposed to be a three-month stay turned into a much shorter time, and soon they were heading back home with their healthy little girl.
For Vicki, this was a turning point. She had questioned God, doubted His presence, and nearly lost her faith entirely. But through this experience, she saw God’s hand in Brianna’s healing. The prayers of those around her, the timely intervention of the doctor, and the miraculous recovery of her daughter all pointed to one undeniable truth: God was real, and He had never left them.
Today, Brianna is about to turn 15. On August 31, 2024, she will celebrate this milestone, and a few weeks later, on September 28, 2024, she will have a grand 15 Años party—a celebration of life, health, and the incredible journey that brought her to this moment.
Vicki’s story is one of faith tested and restored. It’s a reminder that even in our darkest hours, when God feels distant, He is still with us, working in ways we may not understand at the time. Vicki now knows that God is real, that He listens to our prayers, and that He is capable of performing miracles—even when we’ve lost all hope.
As Brianna steps into this new chapter of her life, her story will forever be a testament to the power of faith, the strength of family, and the unending love of a God who never abandons His children.
CRYSTAL TORRES 