Since birth, Dillon had never developed the ability to walk. Bora and his wife, Helen, had desperately tried everything—from traditional healers to village remedies to even embarking on a distant pilgrimage—to seek help for their son, but Dillon’s condition remained unchanged. Unable to find a solution for Dillon’s legs, the family also faced another challenge: access to education.

Schools in poor, rural Asian communities often lack the resources to accommodate students with disabilities. This can mean insufficient numbers of trained special-education teachers as well as inaccessible curricula or facilities. Such conditions often exclude children with disabilities and cause them to drop out of school. 

Dillon also experienced this struggle when his parents enrolled him in school. The school that he went to did not provide him with any regular assistance for the things he really needed help with, which caused him great distress. He cried so much that his parents withdrew him.

Every day, while Bora worked in the fields, his wife stayed home to care for Dillon. The couple knew that this was only a temporary solution. How would Dillon manage when he reached adulthood? With every passing year and no signs of improvement, Bora and Helen worried about what the years ahead would bring.

In a culture where adult children take care of their elderly parents, Bora and Helen had once hoped that Dillon would be a source of support for them in their old age. After all, he was their only son. But if Dillon couldn’t walk and lacked an education, how would he provide for his parents when they could no longer work?

According to a study on low and middle-income countries such as Dillon’s, people with disabilities in these countries often struggle to find employment due to factors such as discrimination and inadequate workplace accommodations. In fact, such challenges can lead to unemployment rates as high as 90 percent for people with disabilities in countries like Dillon’s. Dillon’s lack of education would create an even bigger barrier to his employment opportunities, likely subjecting him to a life of poverty. But what troubled his parents most of all was the fear that, one day, they would leave Dillon behind with no one to look after him.

The Suspected Origins of Disability

The family’s heavy burden intensified when community members began whispering about curses and past sins as possible reasons why Dillon couldn’t walk. This belief was not unique to Bora’s community.

Since ancient times, many people have believed that disabilities are results of divine punishments. Jesus’ disciples echoed this belief when they asked Him if a man was born blind because of sin (see John 9:2).

The careless words of the community fueled Bora’s pain. What if the gossip was correct? What if their family’s sins had caused Dillon to be born disabled? Perhaps … they had angered a god? Or maybe … someone had placed a curse on them? If so, how could they lift it? Turmoil raged within Bora, but hope was on the horizon.

A Spark of Hope

Bora had grown up in a non-Christian family and believed God to be a distant entity. Prayers were rituals, not heartfelt conversations. But lately, a spark had ignited within him. He had begun watching a preacher on television who spoke of a God who was not distant, but who was close and who cared. When the preacher shared about healings and miracles, Bora began tuning in regularly. The stories of Jesus, a man who healed the sick and loved the outcast, resonated with Bora, and a seed of hope began to sprout in his heart.

One evening, while watching the television program, Bora felt compelled to find a local pastor. He had never interacted with a Christian before, but he went to a small church in his village.

There, Bora met GFA pastor Sian, a kind and gentle man who welcomed him with open arms. Bora poured out his heart, the years of worry and despair tumbling out in a torrent of words. He shared about Dillon and the helplessness that haunted their family. Pastor Sian listened patiently; then, he shared about Jesus’ compassion and power over every sickness. The pastor spoke of faith, not as blind acceptance but as a deep trust in God’s love.

Gradually, Bora began attending church services. As he listened to the hymns, prayers and sermons, he learned about a God who saw his pain and understood his family’s suffering. He found comfort in the church community, experiencing a sense of belonging he had never known before. He felt a shift within him, and his heavy load lifted. He began to talk to God, sharing his fears and hopes. He also started praying for Dillon, not for a miracle but for strength, guidance and peace.

Committing to Christ

After weeks of learning and reflecting, Bora decided to put his hope in Christ. That day, in the presence of God and Pastor Sian, Bora committed his life to following Christ. He knew that following Jesus did not guarantee a miraculous cure for Dillon. He understood that faith was not a transaction—rather, it came with the promise that he would no longer be alone in his struggle. In Christ, Bora had found a source of strength, an eternal wellspring of hope.

After testifying to his faith publicly, Bora faced opposition. Some community members raised their eyebrows, whispering about him abandoning his traditions, but Bora remained unwavering. His faith was not a performance but a steadfast, personal connection with God.

Amid the pressure, Bora continued praying for Dillon, not demanding a miracle, but asking for guidance and strength for his son. He prayed that Dillon would find joy and purpose, even within his limitations. He also prayed for wisdom, that he and his wife would know how to care for their son to the best of their ability.

Brighter Days Ahead

At last, light had broken through and a new day had dawned for Bora’s family. Although Dillon had still not received miraculous healing for his legs, a greater miracle had taken place in Bora’s heart.

Bora’s faith had helped him to stop seeing his son’s condition as a curse. Instead, it gave him the strength to accept it as a part of their lives and the peace to cherish Dillon for who he was, not for what he could do.

In turn, it gave Dillon, through his father’s unwavering love and acceptance, a sense of belonging and worth. Following his father’s example, Dillon also began attending church. He found hope in the Lord, praying and believing that, one day, God would heal him and enable him to provide for his family.

In this tiny, humble village, God has come to commune with Bora’s family. Every week, they gather with Pastor Sian in their home for a time of encouragement and to pray to the Lord. Despair will no longer rule over them, for the Lord has already promised them, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).

From the dust of this village has bloomed an unwavering faith that testified to the power of hope and the enduring strength of a father’s love. Despite Dillon’s ongoing physical limitations, Bora declared, “I trust God’s plan for my son and believe in his bright future.”

This is what it looks like after someone has an encounter with the Living God: lives are transformed, hearts are healed and hope is restored. Bora’s family is just one example of this. The Spirit of God is at work, and churches led by GFA missionaries, such as Pastor Sian, have partnered with Him to minister to the hurting people in their communities.

You can join in this great work by supporting GFA World today. By giving to GFA World, you help provide resources that enable these churches on the mission field to share the Good News and extend hope to their community. Together, we can help more families like Bora’s know that there is a God who sees their pain, understands their suffering and desires to bring them relief.