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Update on the following letter from Donna McCornack:
Ta had his surgery on Monday, October 20th. It took about 6 hours and went well. They put in a new valve and did some work on his arteries. Blessings to all who prayed and all who gave.
Dear Friends,
Nine years ago, you generously gave to help a young Thai boy named Ta (pronounced Da) to have open heart surgery. We want to thank you again for playing a vital role in saving his life. We also want to update you on the difference this surgery had made in Ta’s life over the last nine years, and the new need he is facing today.
After the Surgery
Ta’s April 1999 surgery in San Diego was a total success. He returned to Thailand to a whole new life. What an incredible contrast he experienced! Prior to surgery, he could only walk a few steps at a time before tiring. He was not able to attend school and he was without family and friends. Since the surgery and his return to Thailand, Ta now has a home and a foster mom, he attends school, and best of all – or should I say, amazingly enough – he's now able to run and play sports just like his peers. He loves to play soccer and basketball, enjoys playing guitar, has many friends, and aspires to be a teacher. He has grown up into a wonderful, towering 6'1" young man.
Ta’s Story
It has been years since we first contacted you about Ta, so I’d like to remind you of his story.
Ta was born to alcoholic parents in 1987, the 5th of five sons. He was born with multiple heart defects. When Ta was 2, he and a brother were put in an orphanage. By the age of 8, he had had two heart surgeries in Thailand, but was none the better. At 10, Ta was suffering from congestive heart failure due to a defective valve and a large hole in his heart. The orphanage had cared for him the best they could, but didn’t expect him to live for more than a year. Ta’s brother decided to run away from the orphanage, and he took Ta with him.
The boys ran away to a slum in Bangkok. This is where Lee Ann Sidebottom, a missionary, met Ta. She took him in to live at a Youth With A Mission ministry house for boys. By this time, Ta was very weak and dying from heart failure. Simply walking across the room would tire him. Each time he was hospitalized, the doctor would say “this could be the end,” holding out little hope for him.
I met Lee Ann while on a Missions trip to Thailand. Later, after I returned home, Lee Ann contacted me about Ta's worsening condition. At that time, no doctor or hospital we could find in Thailand was willing to try such a risky surgery. Lee Ann and I began to search for someone in the U.S. willing to operate, and a way to provide for it. After months of searching, finally a doctor in San Diego, Dr. Lamberti, agreed to do the surgery. He was willing to donate his part, and Children's Hospital in San Diego was willing to greatly reduce the cost, but $35,000 was still needed. The need was great and there was only a couple of weeks’ time to raise the necessary funds. God did an amazing thing for Ta by providing several hundred people who took an interest in him when they heard about his plight. Thanks to your generosity and giving hearts, over $35,000 was raised in time for his surgery. Ta was flown to America and finally had the proper surgery that saved his life.
 The Next Step
This past April, Ta returned to the U.S. for a visit and to see Dr. Lamberti. Through tests performed on Ta's heart, it was determined that the porcine valve that was put in 9 years ago is now too small. His heart has begun to swell because the valve is leaking, and the valve must be replaced. We are hoping that he will be able to have this needed heart surgery in October 2008. Dr. Lamberti has generously agreed once again to donate his services for Ta's surgery. However, the hospital requires $50,000 to cover his hospitalization and other medical expenses. We have already raised about $40,000 towards the total goal and hope to raise the rest by the time of teh surgery.
The last time Ta had surgery, it was a leap of faith for us, but we saw the faithfulness of God through all the ups and downs of the surgery 9 years ago, and believe that God will continue to do immeasurably beyond all that we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20). We also saw how the generosity of so many people made the surgery possible.
How You Can Contribute
If you would like to help once again with this next lifesaving operation, please let us know. To send a donation, please make your check out to "Open Door Christian Church" and include your information on a slip of paper. Place both in an envelope and mail to:
Open Door Christian Church,
P.O. Box 1552,
Novato CA 94948.
All donations are tax-deductible.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us via e-mail at the following addresses:
Donna McCornack: donnamac79@yahoo.com
Lee Ann Sidebottom: sidetopnthai@hotmail.com
Thank you again for your generous help in the past, which made a world of difference in Ta's life. And thank you in advance for playing a part in saving his life again.
Sincerely,
Donna McCornack
Asher Smale, Senior Pastor
Jeff Whitcomb, Associate Pastor
Elders: Phil Holmes and Pat McCornack  
1915 Novato Blvd., Novato, CA 94947
(415) 897-5556 opendoornovato@verizon.net
Located between McClay and Simmons Streets
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25th 2008
