Jeff Abad's doctors tried to save him of his physical illness, Hirschsprung's disease.
But he needed more than just pills and surgery to heal the pain in his life.

When I was five days old, I had surgery due to a rare illness called Hirschsprung's disease. During the surgery, doctors said I had a 50-50 chance to live, but they actually thought I was hopeless. My family hoped in God and trusted the medical surgeons. Thankfully, God showed His mercy and compassion and allowed me to live.

I lived, but I still had the disease. I couldn't eat  too many different kinds of food and I couldn't drink any sort of pop. I couldn't move around that much, either. I even had a colostomy. Seven years after that first surgery, doctors performed the same surgery on me, to help me live a normal life like everyone else.

But it wasn't the surgeries that affected me the most. Right before I was to have my second surgery, my oldest brother passed away. He died of the same disease I have.

After experiencing and going through all sorts of pain and suffering, God showed me His love and made me realize that all these things have a purpose. I believe that things happen to make me strong and faithful to God, to help me draw close to Him and to continue to see and experience His greatness. I believe that I was made to live so that I could share my experience of His love to others.  I believe that God will continue to dwell in me no matter what happens to me. God allowed me to live, so I will strive and continue to dwell in His presence through service, acknowledging His role in my life and by being a good servant with a heart of a winner -- with a heart that believes in Him.

I learned that when we live in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, we experience and feel the greatness of His creation and the unconditional love He has for us. From pains and suffering to peace and happiness, from the toughest challenges in our lives to the greatest victory we've won, God will continue to be with us.

I hope that all individuals continue to experience the goodness of God and share the pain and happiness they've been through to others. (Jeff Abad)

. ... about Jeff's Story:

Jeff's story is truly inspirational. I know the guy personally. All the time I knew Jeff, he never told me his story. His brother did, long before I met Jeff. Jeff and I never discussed it, and I respected his privacy. When I finally met him, I knew I was looking at a living miracle.

Jeff is blessed but he maintains his humility. He is the kindest, most sincere, and most focused person I have ever met.

Jeff is living proof that miracles still happen. It proves that even in this day and age, God is ever present to watch over us. I know Jeff's active involvment with YFC is his way of thanking God for his blessings.

Let us follow his example. We should all pray to thank God, not just to ask for favors or for miracles. If you believe, He will be there for you. I know that for a fact.

Jeff, you have inspired a lot of people.

Anonymous
Dec. 1, 2001
Via email